South Asian fashion has long captivated designers with its rich textile heritage, intricate craftsmanship and expressive use of colour. From handloom weaving and batik artistry to delicate Beeralu lace, the region’s artisanal traditions are as varied as they are distinctive. Equally compelling is its approach to draping, where the fluidity of a saree or dupatta lends movement and dimension to the body.
Australian fashion, by contrast, is often associated with an effortless sensibility, defined by relaxed tailoring, understated elegance and contemporary ease. It is at the intersection of these two design philosophies that Tissa finds its identity, marrying the richness of traditional craftsmanship with a distinctly modern approach to dressing.
The name Tissa carries deeply personal significance. Derived from a Sri Lankan name associated with strength, grounding and legacy, the label pays tribute to the late father of co-founder Minuri Jayasinghe Wilson, establishing a sense of heritage at the heart of its identity. Together with lifelong friend Naomi Buhari, Jayasinghe Wilson envisioned a label that would “honour cultural influence without replicating traditional dress”, bringing together “the ease and confidence of Australian fashion with the richness of South Asian design.” Drawing on their shared Sri Lankan heritage and Australian upbringing, the duo sought to reinterpret familiar silhouettes through a contemporary lens.
Their debut creation, the ‘Spot Set’, encapsulated this vision. Inspired by the traditional saree, the two-piece occasionwear ensemble featured intricate hand-applied beadwork and fluid draping, offering a fresh interpretation of a familiar silhouette. Its reception was immediate, with the label’s first drop selling out. Designed in Byron Bay, Australia, Tissa’s collections are produced ethically in considered, limited-edition runs.
Here, we speak to Buhari and Jayasinghe Wilson about the influence of heritage on their creative vision, finding a balance between tradition and modernity, and their ambitions for Tissa’s future.
Minuri, we have your nuptials to thank for the genesis of Tissa! Can you tell us how a wedding turned into a business for you both?
Naomi and I grew up together in Australia, surrounded by the elegance and craftsmanship of South Asian dress, while our personal style was shaped by contemporary Australian fashion. For years, we couldn’t find occasionwear that reflected both or felt like something entirely new. We weren’t interested in simply blending the two. We wanted to create an original design language shaped by both. About a year before my wedding, we had already developed the concept for Tissa and I had started sketching the first designs. I knew I wanted that vision reflected in my wedding wardrobe. With seven bridesmaids and multiple celebrations bringing together Australian and Sri Lankan cultures, it felt like the perfect setting to introduce the brand. Rather than a traditional campaign, we debuted our designs in an authentic setting to see how people connected with them. The response was immediate. Before Tissa had even launched, people were asking where the outfits were from and when they could buy them. It confirmed we were creating the kind of occasionwear we believed a new generation had been searching for.
“We weren’t interested in simply blending the two. We wanted to create an original design language shaped by both.”
Why start with a saree?
The saree felt like the natural place to begin because it was the garment we knew best. Growing up, it became one of the strongest expressions of our Sri Lankan heritage, and we were always drawn to its silhouette, draping and craftsmanship. Rather than recreating the saree, we wanted to explore how its movement, structure and proportions could be reinterpreted into something entirely original. From the beginning, we wanted to create fashion first. We wanted someone to fall in love with a piece for its distinctive design, then discover the story behind it. If that inspires a greater appreciation for South Asian design through a contemporary lens, then we’ve achieved what we set out to do.
How do you work together?
We’ve known each other since year nine, so there’s a level of trust that’s difficult to manufacture. We’ve grown up with remarkably similar taste and have always shared the same instinct for what feels like Tissa. Our roles fell into place naturally. Minuri studied fashion and leads the creative direction of each collection, from initial sketches and fabric development to fittings and production. I studied marketing and built my career in ecommerce, so I focus on brand strategy, marketing and the overall direction of the business. For now, it’s still just the two of us doing almost everything. We design and film content together, spending most days side by side on FaceTime. Half the time we’re like sisters. Our personalities are very different, so we constantly challenge each other’s thinking, but that’s what helps us make better decisions.
Were you surprised by the response to Tissa’s fusion of Australian fashion and South Asian design?
We always believed there were women like us looking for something like Tissa, but nothing prepared us for the response. The messages from South Asian women have been incredibly emotional. Every day, we hear from women who have never felt represented by a fashion brand in this way, or who have spent years searching for pieces that reflect both their heritage and personal style. Hearing their stories has been one of the most rewarding parts of building Tissa, because they’re exactly who we created the brand for.
How do you ensure South Asian cultural influences are acknowledged respectfully in your designs?
For us, acknowledgement starts long before the design process. Every collection begins with research into the history and construction of the garments that inspire us. This understanding allows us to reinterpret rather than simply reproduce them. We never want the inspiration to be hidden. If someone discovers that a detail they love was inspired by a garment they hadn’t encountered before, that’s something we’re incredibly proud of. It creates curiosity, appreciation and conversations that might not otherwise happen.
How can cultural influence remain both authentic and forward-looking?
For us, looking forward doesn’t mean leaving tradition behind. It means allowing it to evolve alongside the people who grew up with it. We know so many women who value their heritage but don’t always see themselves reflected in traditional clothing. If Tissa helps someone reconnect with that part of their identity through something they love wearing, that’s incredibly meaningful to us.
We’ve had girls tell us they want to wear our pieces to formals, engagement parties or birthdays, having never imagined wearing something inspired by South Asian dress outside of a cultural event. It becomes something they choose to celebrate rather than feel obligated to wear. Equally, we’re excited when someone with no connection to South Asia falls in love with a piece purely for its design. Both experiences can coexist, and that’s what makes fashion such a powerful way to share culture.
What distinguishes Sri Lankan and Australian fashion, and how do these influences shape Tissa’s designs?
Sri Lankan dress has always fascinated us for its creativity and versatility. A saree can be draped in countless ways, yet it’s often associated with unwritten rules about how it should be worn. We find that interesting because the garment itself offers so much freedom. Today’s fashion landscape celebrates individuality, experimentation and challenging traditional styling rules. That freedom has greatly influenced our approach to design. At Tissa, we love giving timeless design principles an unexpected twist. Our debut collection brought together the resurgence of polka dots with South Asia’s tradition of hand embellishment, creating hand-beaded polka dots that felt both familiar and entirely new.
Why focus on occasionwear, and do you plan to expand into other categories?
Occasionwear is part of life’s biggest memories, from weddings and birthdays to celebrations and milestones. We love the idea of Tissa being part of those moments. But we don’t believe beautiful pieces should only be worn once. We want our designs to be styled in different ways, whether for a wedding, long lunch, holiday or night out, giving them a life beyond the occasion they were bought for.
For now, we’re focused on refining our design language through occasionwear, but we’d never say never to expanding. We’re constantly exploring possibilities, from resortwear to elevated everyday pieces and beyond. As long as it feels true to Tissa, we’re excited to see where the journey takes us.
Why produce collections in limited-edition drops? Is it a conscious sustainability decision or a way to create exclusivity?
At this stage, producing small drops makes sense for us as a business. It allows us to remain hands-on with every collection and maintain the quality we’re striving for. As an independent brand, we’re learning with each release, and this approach gives us the flexibility to keep refining our designs. Seeing how quickly our first collection found its community was incredibly encouraging, but our priority is building Tissa thoughtfully rather than producing more than we’re ready for.
Would you consider reissuing popular designs?
We’re still a young brand, learning what resonates with our community. If a design stands the test of time, we’d rather continue its story than retire it simply because it sold well. We want every future release to feel intentional, whether that means bringing a piece back as it was or evolving it in a new direction.
“We never wanted to keep the beauty of South Asian design within one community. We wanted to celebrate it respectfully and transparently, allowing more people to appreciate the silhouettes, draping and craftsmanship that inspire us.”
Is Tissa resonating with women beyond the South Asian community, and what are your ambitions for the brand?
When we started Tissa, we imagined women like us would connect with it most deeply, and that’s exactly what’s happened. Hearing from South Asian women who finally feel represented, or who have found something they’ve long been searching for, has been incredibly rewarding. What surprised us was how many women outside our culture embraced the brand. We often hear, “I love your pieces, but I’m not South Asian. Is it okay for me to wear them?” Our answer is always yes! We never wanted to keep the beauty of South Asian design within one community. We wanted to celebrate it respectfully and transparently, allowing more people to appreciate the silhouettes, draping and craftsmanship that inspire us. Looking ahead, we’ll continue designing for the women who inspired Tissa while welcoming women from every background. If our pieces can help someone reconnect with their heritage while introducing someone else to it for the first time, then we’ve created something much bigger than clothing.
Who would you love to dress in Tissa? Is there a celebrity or notable individual who you think represents the brand’s values?
Simone Ashley would be an incredible person to see in Tissa. She’s helped redefine what modern South Asian representation can look like on a global stage while always staying true to her own style. That balance feels very aligned with what we’re trying to build.
