
Karin Horisaki
Innovator
Horisaki Design & Handel
Sweden
Cultural
Rural Areas
Remote rural areas
The innovation journey
Horisaki Design & Handel produces and sells artisanal hats worldwide from its rural farm location in Småland, Sweden. Karin Horisaki and her husband, Makoto, own and run the company.
Karin’s passion for handicrafts and hats was triggered in her youth when she was captivated by French literature and fashion. After finishing an education in millinery, Karin started a small business in Stockholm in 2008, focusing on fashionable, premium-quality hats. Since 2013, Horisaki Design & Handel has operated from the small village of Kåremo. Inspired by the surroundings and the cultural heritage of Småland, Karin produces two collections per year, which she traditionally exhibits during the fashion weeks in Paris.
Horisaki’s stylish hats blend innovation with a commitment to preserving the time-honoured tradition of hat-making. Sustainability is deeply ingrained in the company, through for example incorporating solar energy, repurposing materials from the farm for renovation, and meticulously overseeing their supply chain.
The innovation impact
They produce around 1,500 exclusive, tailormade hats annually, which are sold in 20 countries. Their hats have graced the heads of international celebrities like Lady Gaga and members of several royal families. In a move to further expand their reach, they have recently launched a webshop. This summer, Horisaki Design & Handel will open a small shop, offering a diverse range of products produced by other craftspeople in their network.
A few years back, the company made 3,000 hats each year. However, the owners made a deliberate choice to reduce production to lead more sustainable and personally fulfilling lives. Karin stresses her desire to reconnect with the craft’s artistic aspects instead of being a CEO who oversees an expanding business.