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Proposition:
Uniquely designed, in the highlands of Scotland, handmade beanie hats and a growing funky knitwear range.
Founder name(s):
Miranda Harper
Year founded:
2012

Zaini

Zaini

Scottish ski instructor Miranda Harper, 25, started Zaini after finding it impossible to buy a comfy, colourful and stylish hat to wear while ski instructing in the Swiss Alps in 2010. By the end of the ski season the mountains were full of people wearing a Zaini, and when she returned home to the Scottish highlands, Miranda decided to concentrate on the business.

Properly launched in 2012, Zaini has grown at an impressive rate, selling more than 4,000 hats in its first year. With orders flying in, Miranda soon had to recruit an additional crocheter - in the shape of her grandmother!

Miranda's uniquely styled beanies have attracted the attention of a growing number of trendsetters and celebrities, with boybands JLS and One Direction papped wearing a Zaini and others including Sadie Frost, Alan Carr and Chemmy Alcott helping to grow a strong social media following and exceptional second year sales.

With orders coming in thick and fast, the business soon had to move the production line abroad and allow Miranda to get on with other aspects of the business. Miranda now has plans for a US launch in 2013/14.