Joanna Kinsman is a local San Diego designer of swimwear and ready-to-wear, having shown at LA Style Fashion Week for four consecutive seasons. The fashion entrepreneur got her start with a swimwear line in Los Angeles called Kinsman Swim, and from that, created a line of hair accessories from the same material.
However, her unique bikini strings and metal cord ends led her to pivot her focus, and she began making bracelets from the extra swimwear fabric and hardware. Another pivot was when she realized they also made perfect hair ties.
The accessories line is now called Kini Bands, and consists of bright, beautiful colors and prints of hair ties and headbands. The biggest success by far has been the company’s ponytail holders, known as Mermaid Hair Ties, that look attractive on the wrist with their metal logo, won’t break apart or damage a person’s hair, and because they’re meant for swimwear, they’re wearable in the sun, sand, and water.
The new line currently consists of four styles of Kini “bands” – hair bands, sweat bands, head bands, and turbans. The designer is continuing to add more styles, including wristbands, and headphone and sunglass retainers – all from swimwear material.
The designer hails from a small Maine town where she grew up, and studied business at the University of New Hampshire. A former collegiate athlete, Kinsman worked as a certified Personal Trainer in Boston before moving to San Diego. She fell into the internet marketing industry, allowing her to realize that she too could start a business with low overhead through outsourcing, and driving sales through social media and online tactics.
These hair ties and head bands are making their way into the hands of active, fashion-conscious women all over the world who are seeking something unique that is also good for their hair. The company uses nearly every inch of fabric in its production, and even the scraps are being leveraged for various upcoming projects.
Joanna’s passion in designing resulted in lingerie-inspired Brazilian-cut swimwear, and cover ups. Her most recent collection boasts unique silhouettes that are handmade in San Diego, with hand-dyed lace. The line is available for custom orders, each one that comes with a matching set of Kini Bands.
