Freya is a women-owned business, created in San Francisco by two friends who bonded over a shared love for hats and adventure. Freya collaborates with women artisans in Ecuador to develop modern designs from ancient weaving techniques. Each hat is handwoven from straw that grows from the Toquilla palm tree and dyed with natural, organic dyes. The palm has been used for more than 3,000 years by the indigenous people of the region to form hats for protection from the harsh equatorial sun. Freya hats are certified at UPF 50+, which is the highest certification available for UV-protective clothing and blocks 98% of the sun's harmful UV rays.