London

Tatiana Lazzaro

Taala

Porcelain maker | Lissone, Italy

Bridal ornaments, petal by petal

Tatiana transitioned from fashion design to porcelain craftsmanship
She specialises in ultra-thin, unglazed porcelain forms that capture the light
She started out after struggling to find a headpiece for her own wedding

Tatiana Lazzaro spent a decade as a fashion designer and illustrator in Milan before discovering ceramics during her time in London. In 2016, she founded Taala, merging her fashion background with porcelain craftsmanship. She works exclusively with unglazed porcelain, using casting techniques to create delicate forms. Her signature pieces emerge from multiple casting iterations to achieve ultra-thin walls that capture light. "I approach each form as I would a draped fabric, focusing on how shadows fall across the unglazed surfaces," explains Tatiana.

Interview

Why did you choose this craft?: During my time as a fashion designer, I found myself spending countless hours in front of a screen. I began to crave a more tactile experience. The act of shaping clay with my hands not only fulfilled my desire for manual creativity, but also provided a grounding contrast to the fast demands of fashion. This shift allowed me to explore my artistic expression in a way that felt both refreshing and deeply satisfying.
When and how did you actually start?: When planning my own wedding in 2015, I realised that it was extremely hard to find headpieces I liked. This highlighted a significant gap in the market for me. I decided to leverage my fashion experience with my passion for ceramics, and create unique pieces.
When did you open your own workshop?: I opened my workshop in 2019. From 2016, though, I operated from a spare room in my apartment, with a kiln precariously balanced on the balcony and power surges occuring with every firing. Eventually, I purchased an old carpentry that I renovated. I cherish the idea that my workshop once belonged to another artisan, the baton passing through generations, connecting my craft to the legacy of skilled hands that came before me.
What surprises people about your craft?: Since I create each petal by hand, one by one, my fingerprints are captured in the porcelain. The result is that any imperfection in my skin, such as a cut or scar, is inevitably reflected in my work!

Tatiana Lazzaro is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2016