About TaraShakti
We exist to build confidence, connection, and community
Our story begins with a love for friends, life, & onsies
In 2013, our founder Tara's friend, Holly, challenged their group to show up for their annual Whistler ski trip in onesies. This particular trip was extra special, as Holly was living with terminal brain cancer diagnosis. Her friends were thrilled to get another ski trip with her, their answer was a resounding “hell yes.” They came to celebrate life, friendship, and the power of saying YES to joy.
Tara scoured the web for a vintage onesie — and quickly found herself obsessed...she recalls texting her girlfriends to advise she needed a serious intervention. One turned into four: Pinkie, Dottie, Goldie, Michael (yes, she named them all). That weekend in Whistler was part dream, part deep realness — full of belly laughs, connection, and unforgettable memories. And the suits? They lit up the mountain. That was the moment Tara discovered the unexpected magic of ski suits — how they could transform a day, a mood, a group of women.
Soon, her two boys became part of the story — shredding in vintage suits and loving every minute. They were bold, bright, and brave, just like the suits they wore. Still inspired, and living just blocks from where Macklemore grew up, Tara dreamed up a parody ski film called Downhill — rallying women on the mountain to raise money for brain cancer research and spark joy together on the mountain.
For Tara, it was the perfect mix of purpose and play: raising awareness for brain cancer while uncovering even more vintage gems. But as the collection grew, so did the realization — the love was real, but the suits needed a serious upgrade. That’s when the spark for something bigger took hold.
Tara, a former Peace Corps Volunteer and professional photographer, leads with her heart — guided by intuition, integrity, and a willingness to color outside the lines. She seeks out collaborators and places that support thoughtful, lasting, and truly unique creations.
In 2019, she began prototyping her first suits, driven by a dream to merge vintage style with modern performance. Production — and her determination — pushed through the pandemic, and by 2021, TaraShakti was officially born.
Though she never planned to put her name in the brand, Tara was encouraged by her Sherpa friends and business partners to do just that. In the Sherpa language, Tara is the name of a revered female Buddha in Tibetan Buddhism — a protector, liberator, and embodiment of compassion, wisdom, and feminine power. The word translates literally to “star.”
Combined with Shakti — meaning power or energy — TaraShakti reflects starpower: the radiant strength within each of us. Tara believes everyone carries a unique, radiant starpower within them — and when people feel safe, warm, and seen, that brilliance shines bright.
We are a brand committed to designing high-performance, sustainable ski suits that honor women’s bodies, courage, confidence, and community spirit.
Thanks to a long and treasured friendship with Lakpa Rita Sherpa and Phurba Dikee Sherpa, our founder Tara was introduced to Tashi Tsering Sherpa — founder of Sherpa Adventure Gear and someone whose work she deeply admired. She approached him with a dream and an open heart, ready to climb a mountain with little knowledge of the route. Tashi brought decades of experience in apparel production and a spirit of generosity that shaped the journey ahead.
Moved by Tara’s vision, Tashi embraced the project with a powerful philosophy:
“Sherpas are known for taking people to the top of mountains, but how we see ourselves is as people who help others on their journey — with the goal of bringing them safely home.”
That wisdom became a guiding light. Without the belief and support of the Sherpa community, TaraShakti would still be just a dream.
Three years later, our suits — and our signature furry fanny packs — are lovingly handmade in Kathmandu. And with every suit purchased, we contribute $25 to the Northwest Sherpa Association to honor our origins and give back to the community that helped us begin.
TaraShakti would not exist without the generosity, insight, and support of the Sherpa community in Seattle — and we are forever grateful.
