When people see a finished korowai, they see beauty.
They see the detail, the feathers, the design.
They see something special.
But what they don’t always see is the why behind it.
The reason it exists in the first place.
Korowai by Hiria didn’t start as just a business.
It started from a place of purpose. Of identity. Of wanting to create something meaningful—not just for others, but for my own whānau too.
For me, korowai are not just garments.
They carry stories. They hold mana. They represent connection—past, present, and future.
And that responsibility is something I carry into every piece we create.
There’s a difference between making something… and creating with intention.
Every korowai that leaves our hands has time, thought, and energy woven into it. Not just the physical work, but the unseen parts too—the conversations, the planning, the care taken to make sure it’s right.
Because these pieces are often made for important moments.
Milestones. Celebrations. Legacy.
That’s not something I take lightly.
Korowai by Hiria is also about whānau.
It’s about building something that includes the people around me. Teaching, learning, growing together. Navigating the challenges that come with working alongside those you love, and still choosing to do it anyway.
Because there’s value in that.
Not just in the outcome, but in the journey.
Over time, this has grown into more than I ever imagined.
What started small is now something that continues to evolve. With growth comes pressure, expectation, and the need to build structure around something that is deeply creative and cultural.
That’s a journey I’m still in.
And one I’m learning to navigate every day.
This blog is a space to share more of that.
The parts people don’t always see.
The process, the lessons, the whakaaro behind the work.
Not just the finished korowai—but everything that goes into bringing them to life.
This is the heart of Korowai by Hiria.
And this is just the beginning.
Ngā mihi - Hiria Aorangi