Maker / Artist Feature: Kim Bowen

Kim Bowen is a household name here in the South — her tea towels, t-shirts, notecards, hats, totes, and other lifestyle items delight homes all around us. She has a great story to go with her budding brand, too. As we always are at Binya, we were curious about how she got started, where she grew up, how she started her business, and what has inspired her. Here’s what designer and lifestyle brand owner, Kim Bowen, had to say about Kim Bowen brand & business.

Binya: Where did you grow up?

Kim: My family moved to Hilton Head Island from Charlottesville, Virginia when I was a junior in High School. I graduated from Sea Pines Academy which is now Hilton Head Prep. I am the oldest of 4 children. I have 2 brothers (Reid Perry and Alan Perry) that live on Hilton Head and a sister (Cheryl Chandler) that lives in Johns Island, SC. We started vacationing on Hilton Head in 1968 after my father stopped on the Island on the way home from a Florida trip. My Father was in the yearbook business so he had the summers off and we started coming to the Island for the summer. Living on the island back in those days was really quite something. I left a few times in the 80’s but always found my way back to the Lowcountry. It is where I am rooted along with my family. How can you not be rooted here, once you get used to the smell of the pluff mud it becomes the scent you long for. 18 years ago, my husband and I moved out to the country to another little island in Coosawhatchie just outside of Ridgeland. It is a much slower pace of life which suits me best. Prior to moving here I worked with my family in the printing business. I am a self taught Graphic Artist!

Binya: How did you get started your business?

Kim: In 2005, I became a freelance graphic artist. My main job was the Art Director for Taste of Hilton Head Magazine which was first published in 2006. Move forward to 2018, I had several nieces getting married and was designing their wedding invitations. The theme for one of them was Oysters. Oysters, I love them, nothing says lowcountry like oysters… next thing I knew it was 2019 and I was making all things Lowcountry. Notecards, Tea Towels, T-shirt, Hats etc!

Binya: What was your first design?

Kim: My first design was Lowcountry Life with Oyster shell Tea Towels for Hilton Head. Then I made them with crabs and anchors and for all the different lowcountry towns. I was promoting on social media and selling locally. In the fall of 2019, I made a couple of Lowcountry Christmas themed tea towels and decided to put them on Etsy to sell as well as on my website. Every year I come up with new designs to ad to what I already have. 2022 is when I decided to sell wholesale as well. It was a great decision for me as I just didn’t have the time to be at all the festivals and such. Every year has been better than the one before. 2023 looks to be my best year yet and I’m hopeful that I will be able to say that every year for all years to come. I am now focusing on new designs and some new product for the upcoming season and beyond. The Lowcountry continues to inspire me.

Nothing says “Lowcountry” like Kim Bowen’s products, they hold a special place in our Lowcountry hearts! Binya is thrilled to be carrying some of her designs in store, stop by and check them out!