SHOP STORIES: HIRUKI
N.: Who is Nahia? How would you define yourself? Let us briefly explain something about you.
N.: I am a 29-year-old girl, an entrepreneur who started her journey when she was only 25 years old. I entered the retail world without having any experience, but the ability to work and having a clear business idea have made Hiruki complete 4 years with a pandemic in between. I consider myself a perfectionist, stubborn and fun. In my day to day life I cannot miss coffee, music, and a bit of laughter. I enjoy beautiful things and I love to surround myself with them. I also enjoy gastronomy and a good glass of red wine. A garment that cannot be missing from my wardrobe, striped sailor t-shirts, are already part of my personality.
N.: When did you open Hiruki? Could you briefly tell us the story of your shop? What inspired you to take the step of setting up your own business?
N.: Hiruki opened its doors on December 15, 2017. The idea of opening a store had been with me for a long time, but it was not until I finished the Degree in Journalism that I began to consider it more seriously. After finishing the Degree and taking a year to reflect, the idea of trying it was still with me and I decided to embark on this project.
The motivation for doing so was mainly the idea of making known another way of consumption, a more responsible and sustainable consumption, which began to interest me a few years ago. At first I started to be interested in food and I ended up taking it to different aspects of my life such as clothing or beauty products. I believe in another way of consuming, responsible and with awareness. I try to bet on brands that are respectful of society and the environment, I give priority to quality over quantity and I don't only look at the price, but at everything behind it: who and where each of the products is produced, production methods, brand philosophy, social and environmental character... Before knowing this type of consumption, I myself was a victim of irresponsible "low-cost" consumption. This has a series of consequences, such as labor exploitation or environmental impact.
I began to realize this and acted accordingly; my way of consuming changed. I was motivated by the idea that if I was aware and took the step of changing my way of consuming, Hiruki could be a spokesperson for that change.
N.: A moment you will always remember.
N.: Umm, I have more than one, but without a doubt one of the most emotional was reopening the doors of my shop after the lockdown. We didn't have much information about what the protocols were to follow, that made me distrustful and afraid, but the support I received from my clients and the desire to get back on track were able to overcome the fear. I remember opening the calendar to make appointments on Instagram and within a few minutes I already had the first appointment, it was a gesture that filled me with hope to face everything that was coming.
N.: Of our designs so far, which is your favorite?
N.: My favourite model, which is also the one with which I got to know the brand, is the SOC model. I describe it as the “Summer Sneaker”. It has the three things I look for in a shoe: comfort, quality and design. Every time I wear them, they attract attention. Also, in the Basque Country, espadrilles have always been used a lot, which is why I feel like they are from here.
