María … we are an Australian brand. We were established in 2026.
Hello my name is Niamh, I am the founder of María. I am a proud Egyptian-French woman. Living in Australia with an eye for fashion and a passion for design and sewing. And a new young mum!
In the mists of postpartum and young motherhood I spent any spare time sewing and designing. It’s a grounding thing to create simply, slowly and ethically.
(My baby and I at the sewing machine…)
María was an outlet, a true labour of love.
I knew it would grow into a beautiful collection of timelessly chic pieces. The name of the brand didn’t come easily, but I kept seeing her face when designing so many of the pieces from my debut collection.
Someone who embodied both qualities of timeless beauty and chicness was my mother’s grandmother, her Egyptian Teta, María. María was always a put together woman, no matter if she was, waiting for her husband in Alexandria to return, not knowing he became a prisoner of war, or, a newley widowed, immigrant mother welcomed in to Melbourne with their white Australia policy. She found a way to survive. Always remembered by her strength, beautiful maternal nature and her beauty.
I’ve always felt such a deep connection to Teta Marìa. Growing up I was so insecure regarding my Egyptian features, specifically my deep under eyes, one day my grandfather, Gidou remarked that I always reminded him of his mum without makeup. And I never concealed them again. We also birthed our sons on the exact same day 80 years apart.
By wearing a María I hope you feel confident. The quality and the inspiration behind each piece is as beautiful as it is time transcending.