Makuta began in 2022, when Tom was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma.
What followed was a journey neither of us could have prepared for. Chemotherapy, uncertainty, difficult days and the emotional weight of facing something that changes your life forever.
But alongside the heartache came something we will never forget: the people we met, the stories we heard and the extraordinary strength of those facing cancer alongside the people who loved them.
Every person had their own story. Every family was fighting their own battle. And every experience reminded us just how much we have in common, regardless of where we come from or what life looks like on the outside.
Thailand
During a trip to Thailand, we found ourselves reflecting on everything we had been through. The highs, the lows, the people who helped us along the way and the experiences that changed how we saw the world.
We kept coming back to the same feeling: we wanted to do more.
We had already started organising charity events to support people affected by cancer, and we loved seeing how something positive could bring people together. But we felt there was an opportunity to build something bigger — a community, a shared purpose and a legacy that could continue to make a difference.
It started with something simple.
The idea for Makuta began with something simple: hats.
Losing your hair through chemotherapy is one of the most visible reminders of what you're going through. It can affect your confidence and change how you feel about yourself. Headwear felt like a natural place to start, but the ambition behind it was always about more than what you wear.
“We wanted to turn something difficult into something positive.”
Makuta · The Thai word for crown
Named after the Thai word for crown, Makuta represents strength, hope, resilience and unity. To us, a crown isn't about status or appearance. It's about the strength people find within themselves, the people who stand beside them and the courage it takes to keep moving forward when life doesn't go to plan.
We want Makuta to be a brand people genuinely love wearing, but also one they feel proud to be part of. A community built around connection, compassion and the belief that we can all do something to help someone else's journey.
That's why 10% of our yearly business profits are donated to Lymphoma Action, helping support people affected by lymphoma.
This is personal to us. We know that behind every diagnosis is a person, a family, a network of friends and a story that deserves to be heard. We want to help ensure that people facing lymphoma feel informed, supported and less alone.
Makuta started through cancer, but it isn't defined by cancer. It's about everything that comes after — the people we meet, the moments we share, the lives we touch and the difference we can make together.
We're building something we hope will outlast us: a brand with purpose, a community with heart and a legacy rooted in the experiences that brought us here.
Different stories. Shared strength. One community.
Makuta. More than what you wear.
