International Spotlight from the Isle of Capri
In the summer of 2022, a boutique on the Isle of Capri, Italy, discovered Zahati’s designs through social media. Inside, Hollywood actress Blake Lively was captivated by an extra-wide-brimmed straw hat measuring one meter in diameter. She insisted on featuring it in her movie ‘A Simple Favor 2’ (‘Otro pequeño favor’). Despite initial reservations from the costume team, the persistence of the ‘Gossip Girl’ star ensured that this unique design from a small Spanish town would grace the international stage.
A Family Craft Spanning Five Generations
The roots of the Zahati brand trace back to around 1880, founded by the great-great-grandfather of current owner Sandra Mira. Initially, the business focused on selling woven palm products. In 1920, her great-grandfather introduced straw into the product line, a material that still constitutes about 90% of the brand’s products today. Growing up surrounded by the family workshop, Sandra, despite working as an architect for five years, felt a strong calling when her aunts revived the family business in 2015. In 2019, she officially launched her own brand, Zahati, dedicated to blending traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics.
The Commitment of a “Slow Fashion” Workshop
Zahati’s workshop in Gata de Gorgos still operates with a set of antique straw sewing machines from 1920. As these precision machines are no longer in production, maintenance relies on sourcing spare parts. Currently, the team of seven artisans produces around 5,000 items annually. Their products are sold in France, Germany, the USA, Japan, and the UK. In 2021, they also received an unsolicited collaboration offer from the renowned Spanish department store, El Corte Inglés.
The Modern Dilemma of a Traditional Craft
Despite its commercial success, Zahati faces significant structural challenges. Sandra Mira admits that passing on the craft is the biggest hurdle; the youngest artisan in the workshop is currently 55, and it’s difficult to attract young people to learn the trade. Furthermore, rising raw material costs and pressure from cheap imitations on Asian e-commerce platforms pose an ongoing threat. Nevertheless, Sandra insists on keeping all production stages within Spain to protect the brand’s artisanal soul and authenticity.
