Karhu Fusion 2.0 "Mascot" - Jet Black Bright White

Karhu - Spring Summer ’22

This March, KARHU puts the spotlight on their mascot—the legendary Finnish Sportsbear, with the introduction of the Mascot Pack.

This carefully curated collection is a celebration of KARHU’s very own bear, the symbol that adorns each of our shoes and by which we are known in the world of sport and fashion.

Originally considered an object of good fortune, the mascot concept dates all the way back to the early 1800s.

Sports organizations popularized the mascot by first using live animals as entertainment for spectators and intimidation for rivals. Over time, mascots evolved into larger-than-life caricatures whose job it was to excite fans and motivate athletes.

While researching a modern-day face for the Mascot Pack, the KARHU design team was inspired by several illustrations from our archives—specifically the 1960s Trampas Bear and a 1980s comic strip that introduced Kris the Karhu Bear.