Our story

Living with hair loss - and helping others do the same

At 16, our founder Nikki Kate experienced the life-altering moment when her hair fell out due to Alopecia. Over the following two decades, that lived experience – combined with her RN-informed understanding of the body – shaped a deeply practical and compassionate approach to headwear design, one that considers the whole person, not just what they wear.

Alongside her is Sandy, her mother and business partner, who has walked every step of this journey with her. Their shared understanding shapes everything they make.

RN Informed Design Based in Invercargill, NZ Mother & daughter team

Please note: Nikki Kate Headwear is a non-clinical support service. Nikki Kate Harrison is not providing medical advice.

In Nikki's words

"At 16, my hair fell out. I spent years searching for something that was truly comfortable to wear all day. I couldn't find it - so eventually, I made it myself."

When I first experienced hair loss as a teenager, I quickly discovered that it affected far more than my appearance. There were practical challenges, uncomfortable headwear, questions from others, and days when confidence felt hard to find.

Over the past two decades, hair loss has been part of every season of my life. I’ve navigated school, workplaces, sport, marriage, and motherhood while learning how to live confidently with alopecia. Some days were harder than others, but there were things that made them easier – like headwear I could actually trust in the wind, or pieces that didn’t leave me with a headache after a couple of hours.

Nikki Kate Headwear grew from that journey. I wanted to create a place where people experiencing hair loss could find comfortable, beautiful headwear from someone who genuinely understands what they’re going through.

- Nikki Kate Harrison

The team

Two women, one shared mission

Nikki Kate Harrison

Founder · RN Informed Designer

Nikki has lived with alopecia since she was 16. Over two decades of lived experience, combined with her RN background, have deeply informed her design approach – giving her an instinctive understanding of scalp sensitivity, physical comfort, and the emotional weight of hair loss.

nikki@nikkikateheadwear.nz

Sandy Pascoe

Co-founder · Business partner

Sandy has walked every step of Nikki’s hair loss journey with her – from those first frightening weeks at 16, through two decades of navigating the world with alopecia. Her decades of support as a mother, and her firsthand understanding of the emotional, social, and physical dimensions of hair loss, are woven into everything Nikki Kate Headwear does.

sandy@nikkikateheadwear.nz

What we understand

Hair loss is more than a cosmetic change - it's an emotional journey

We know the pain of feeling self-conscious in social settings, the mental toll of navigating a world that often equates beauty with hair, and the physical challenges that come with scalp sensitivity and losing other body hair. Finding ways to feel comfortable and confident can be overwhelming.

We’re also familiar with the practical side – the appointments, the forms, the subsidy process that can feel bewildering when you’re already carrying so much. We support you through all of it, practically and compassionately, because we’ve been there ourselves.

"Support, comfort, and confidence - every step of the way."

Our mission is to provide practical, compassionate support through high-quality head coverings. Whether you’re seeking products, guidance, or simply a community that genuinely understands – we’re committed to helping you feel empowered and like yourself again.

Handmade in NZ

Every piece is sewn to your exact head measurements from scratch - not produced in bulk, not adapted from a generic pattern. Made for you, by us.

Personal experience

Our founder has worn head coverings every day for over 20 years. Every design choice - the wire front, the fabric weights, the secure fit - comes from that experience, not theory.

RN Informed Design

Every design decision draws on RN-informed knowledge of the body - from fabric choice to fit, with a genuine understanding of scalp sensitivity and the needs of people experiencing hair loss.

Invercargill & surrounds