In Conversation with Kinnon

What inspired you to launch Kinnon, and how did the journey begin?

I didn’t start my career expecting to be where I am today. A small idea stuck with me and threw me off course… in a good way. I have a background in brand strategy and PR and ran my own communications agency for many years. Fashion and design have always been close to my heart, and after travelling extensively throughout my career, I began working on designs for work and travel bags and accessories that I couldn’t find — pieces that offered both functionality and personal style. I started researching suppliers and materials, developed a brand and launch strategy, and Kinnon was born.

What has been your proudest moment since founding Kinnon?

Aside from our continued focus on sustainability and longevity, one of my proudest moments was the December launch of our first product collaboration, Kinnon by Romy, with the incredibly talented stylist and creative director Romy Frydman of Style Me Romy. Reflecting the spirit of endless summers and global wanderlust, the resort-inspired collection of six pieces is lovingly handcrafted in our Cambodian factory from sustainably, ethically sourced, and certified materials. The KR collection features a bespoke hand-woven leather rattan weave exclusive to Kinnon. It took about a year from initial concepts to launch due to the intricacy of the design and the care we took to perfect every detail — but it was worth the wait.

Which Kinnon piece best represents the brand’s philosophy, and why?

I love that our pieces are designed for men and women, with crossover across many styles. If I had to choose one piece that best represents Kinnon, it would be our Ada business bag from the Paloma collection. It is fearless, sleek, unpretentious, and minimalistic in design — but with a clear purpose. It’s a beautifully crafted business and laptop bag with space for workday essentials. It features the collection’s signature gold bar detailing and is made from soft Italian nappa leather.

What do you hope people feel when they own and use a Kinnon piece?

I hope they feel confident and proud to wear a sustainable Australian label — one that helps them move effortlessly through their day and travel while elevating their personal style.

How do you stay inspired and keep your designs fresh in a competitive market?

It’s a constant process that never slows down. I draw inspiration from many places and always try to stay ahead of global trends. We also speak with our customers to learn what they love and what they’d like to see more of. Different markets lean towards different styles and colour palettes, which we take into consideration, but our main focus is always on designing products we love and are proud of — and that we believe our customers will love too.

I’m passionate about design across all areas, not just fashion. My team and I bring this into every meeting and project. We love travel, new technologies, and sustainable materials that reduce waste and make a positive impact on the planet. We’re always exploring how these elements can be integrated into our products. As cliché as it sounds, inspiration really is everywhere.

What’s next for Kinnon? Do you have any exciting plans or new collections on the horizon?

Absolutely! We’ll be releasing new drops to our existing collections, including Kinnon by Romy, in the coming months. We’re also launching a beautiful collection of travel bags made from organic cotton with leather contrast details mid-year — we can’t wait to share it.

LEARN MORE https://kinnon.com.au/