British Iraqi designer and performance artist Tara Babylon is carving out a space for herself in the American fashion industry with her focus on textiles, craft, and gender-fluidity. An alumni of Central Saint Martins and Parsons, Tara Babylon focuses on creating collections with an eco-conscious, hand-made, and cultural approach.
Tara Babylon debuted her two newest collections this past New York Fashion Week, showcasing her colorful and imaginative designs. As with all of her collections, Tara Babylon weaves a story that combines culture, history and identity. “The concept of my whole brand, which is why I called it Tara Babylon, is really that I’m wanting to put a torch on this incredible history that is from where I come from,” Tara Babylon told us when we caught up with her amidst the NYFW chaos.
This reference to Babylon is evident in her Spring Summer ‘26 couture collection. The hand-beaded pieces feature motifs from ancient Babylon that Tara found on her visit there. She considers it a “traditional, avant-garde take on [her] culture.” The pieces were crafted by 20 to 30 artisans, and combines vintage and modern aesthetics to create something fresh and imaginative. The collection includes beaded flapper dresses and a sequin-beaded two-piece suit, a true testament to Tara Babylon’s artistry.
The Spring Summer ‘26 Ready-to-Wear collection is a hard pivot from the couture collection, but the Tara Babylon essence is still there. The silhouettes are playful and flirty, with modern takes on ‘80-s drop waist dresses and mini dresses with crinoline petticoats. From garment construction to pattern creation, the pieces are handmade and hold true to Tara Babylon’s eco-conscious and hand-made focus.
Since her 2022 runway debut at NYFW, Tara Babylon has released six collections, bringing her total amount to nine. While each one tells a specific story of its own, there is a common theme threaded through every piece. Babylon, the ancient Mesopotamian city, is the crux of Tara Babylon. “This is my interpretation of what this sort of hidden, artistic, and incredible land would be today,” Tara told us, “It’s a fantasy, but it’s also coming from something very meaningful.”
While Tara Babylon focuses largely on ancient Babylonian aesthetics, there is a large emphasis on gender-fluidity. Tara’s designs aren’t divided by feminine or masculine silhouettes. “I’m not just attracting women…I’m attracting multiple groups of humans and I wanted to welcome that,” Tara said, referring to the gender-fluid description often attributed to her brand. “When I was stuck with a decision, [a friend] told me ‘You just follow the love.’”
Tara Babylon certainly follows the love, but she creates it as well with designs that resonate with her audience. “Everything I do is something I’ve either experienced or something I’ve already explored or something I feel passionate about,” Tara told us when asked about the impact her identity has on her work. “Different identities of Tara and what Tara has been through–whoever can relate and identify with that is welcome to join the party.”
Pieces from Tara Babylon’s ‘26 Ready-to-Wear collection are already available for sale on her website.
Interested in more fashion content? Check out our recap of AK|OK by Anamika Khanna’s London Fashion Week debut here.
