Your fabrics come from all over the world. What catches your eye and tells you a piece has potential?
The quality of the fabric and the uniqueness of the print. It also has to have the aspect and feel of timeless...something that can still be worn and in style decades to come.
Chicago is full of energy and individuality. How has it shaped your journey?
The energy is the best! I have met so many people through fashion shows, models, photographers, and entrepreneurs. The list is endless, it grows and feeds everyone's creative side on collaborations, not to mention lifelong friendships.
Trends come and go. How do you stay true to your own style?
I don't typically follow trends. I look into colors for the seasons, specialty trims and textiles to accentuate the outfits. I always follow my instincts on what would be in style, but also classic and timeless.
Is there a moment with a client that reminded you you’re exactly where you’re meant to be?
My very first client made me feel so at ease. I was extremely nervous, but she told me she trusted me and that was all I needed. She put any self-doubt to rest with the simplest phrase.
Your motto is “Let your style be your voice.” How has your own voice grown over time?
I created that motto because every great designer from Chanel to Versace has a very specific quote that freezes them in time and sets them apart from the rest. It has given me the courage to be unapologetically, authentically me, and inspire my clients to feel the same.
What stands out most in Tamra’s journey is not just the garments she creates, but the way she creates them. There is a quiet confidence in building something from the ground up, in trusting your instincts, and in choosing a path that reflects who you are rather than what is expected. She has stayed true to that from the beginning.
Her designs are not driven by trends, but by feeling. By quality. By the belief that something made with care can last far beyond a single moment. And through each fitting, each fabric, and each conversation, she continues to build more than a brand. She builds trust.
“Let your style be your voice” is more than a motto. It is an invitation. One that encourages every woman to show up fully, confidently, and without apology. And in that space, Tamra Ellingson is doing exactly what she set out to do. Helping others feel seen, celebrated, and yes, like a million dollars.