Deborah Sawaf

Deborah Sawaf, a Bombay-born designer trained in FIDM, Los Angeles with Italian influences, is a globally recognised advocate for women and a changemaker in the fashion industry.

She is the founder and CEO of Thalé Blanc, a luxury fashion brand established in 2010 that specialises in women’s designer handbags, clothing, accessories, and jewellery. 

Deborah Sawaf’s latest initiative, The Power of Words, is a purpose-driven fashion brand and art collection dedicated to breaking mental health stigma. Launched in 2022, this initiative integrates fashion, pop culture, music, and art to raise awareness and support for mental health through collaborations with mental health apps, NFT platforms, and public events. The brand's efforts have been recognised by the Camara Nazionale della Moda Italiana and the UN as the first socially sustainable brand in the world.

Sawaf’s philanthropic projects include The Happy Project by Thalé Blanc, further underscoring her dedication to social impact. She was honoured with the “True Altruist” award by The Angelino Magazine.

Deborah Sawaf has worked with renowned fashion houses such as John Galliano, Valentino, and Roberto Cavalli. She also founded earlier ventures like TALIA, a fine jewellery collection, and DESAGE, a couture gown line.

Deborah is a committed philanthropist. She actively mentors women worldwide and participates in women’s economic and business conferences. She also supports organisations such as the Didi Hirsch Foundation, Qatar America Institute for Culture, and the Burnt Children’s Relief Fund, and serves as a strategy advisor for Pullquest, a platform for fashion stylists.

Deborah Sawaf holds a degree in Design and Merchandising from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM), specialising in Fashion/Apparel Design and Fashion Merchandising. She also studied Gemology and Jewellery Design at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and completed the OCP - Power and Influence for Positive Impact program at Harvard Business School. She launched her first entrepreneurial venture, DESAGE, a couture gown collection, in 1993. 

Deborah Sawaf was born in Bombay, India, and later trained in Italy and Los Angeles, shaping her path into the global fashion industry. She began her formal education at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles, where she studied Fashion Design and Merchandising. To advance her skills, Sawaf pursued gemology and jewellery design at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). In 2024, she attended Harvard Business School’s Power and Influence for Positive Impact course to strengthen her leadership capabilities.

Sawaf’s career began with design consultancy, specialising in couture embroidery for renowned fashion houses, including Gianfranco Ferré, Roberto Cavalli, and Valentino. These collaborations allowed her to develop an understanding of traditional craftsmanship and modern design techniques. In 1993, she launched her first entrepreneurial venture, DESAGE, a couture gown collection, followed by TALIATALIA, a fine jewellery line from 2000 to 2003.

In 2010, Sawaf founded Thalé Blanc, a luxury fashion brand based in Los Angeles. The brand focuses on women’s designer handbags, clothing, accessories, and jewellery, inspired by artistic movements such as the 1920s, French Renaissance, and Baroque eras, as well as diverse global cultures. Through Thalé Blanc, Sawaf built a reputation for merging intricate design with exceptional craftsmanship.

In 2022, Sawaf introduced The Power of Words, a fashion brand and art collection aimed at reducing the stigma surrounding mental health. The initiative integrates art, fashion, sports, music, and technology to promote mental health awareness. It received recognition globally, including nominations from the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana and the United Nations as the world’s first socially sustainable brand.

Sawaf’s philanthropic efforts reflect her commitment to social impact. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Didi Hirsch Foundation, a leading mental health organisation. She is also an Advisory Board member for the Qatar America Institute for Culture and the Burnt Children’s Relief Fund. Additionally, Sawaf acts as a Strategy Advisor for Pullquest, an online platform for fashion stylists.

Beyond her professional achievements, Sawaf actively mentors women globally and advocates for empowerment through women’s economic and business conferences in Washington DC, Qatar, and other international platforms. She supports emerging talent as a mentor for Startupbootcamp FashionTech in Milan and Florence.

Sawaf has been recognised for her philanthropic work and social initiatives. In 2022, The Angelino Magazine awarded her the True Altruist award for using her platform to create meaningful change. Her work with The Power of Words has been acknowledged for its innovative approach to mental health advocacy.

Deborah Sawaf envisions a world where fashion transcends aesthetics to become a force for social change, empowerment, and mental health advocacy. Through her creative ventures, she aims to inspire global conversations around sustainability, inclusivity, and breaking stigmas, particularly in the realm of mental health. Her vision is to build a legacy that seamlessly blends art, culture, and purpose-driven innovation, empowering individuals to find strength, positivity, and self-expression through fashion.

In 2022, Deborah Sawaf's initiative The Power of Words was nominated by the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana and the United Nations as the first socially sustainable brand in the world. She received the True Altruist award from The Angelino Magazine, recognising her efforts to drive positive change through philanthropic initiatives.

Sawaf has collaborated with renowned fashion legends, including John Galliano, Valentino, Roberto Cavalli, and Gianfranco Ferré, which solidified her influence in the global fashion industry. Her work has been recognised for blending artistic craftsmanship with social impact.

Sawaf serves on the Board of Directors for the Didi Hirsch Foundation, contributing to mental health advocacy, and as an Advisory Board member for the Qatar America Institute for Culture and the Burnt Children’s Relief Fund. These positions reflect her dedication to promoting social causes and cultural initiatives.

Sawaf’s contributions to mentoring and innovation include her role as a mentor for Startupbootcamp FashionTech in Milan and Florence, where she supports emerging fashion talent. Her platform, The Power of Words, has been globally acknowledged for merging art, fashion, and technology to advocate for mental health awareness.