A close-up of a hand using a red marker to draw intricate coral patterns in shades of pink, orange, and yellow on paper, showcasing the detailed design process for West Indies Wear’s Caribbean-inspired collections. BEHIND THE SCENES.

A Day in the Life of a Caribbean Designer: Kim’s Creative "Routine"

Running West Indies Wear from across the globe feels like carrying a piece of the Caribbean in my pocket. I started this brand almost two decades ago, sketching designs from the bow of my sailing yacht, M/Y Sahara, on the crystal-clear Caribbean Sea. Back then, my eldest daughter, Maya, was about three, toddling around the deck as I dreamed up cotton tunics inspired by the islands.

A close-up shows two stylized crab drawings in turquoise on white paper, with bold blue outlines and speckled details. Nearby, several Copic markers in shades of blue and turquoise rest on the paper, highlighting the artistic process behind West Indies Wear’s Caribbean-inspired designs.

 

These days, my life unfolds on the east coast of Australia, where the ocean still sparks inspiration—just with a side of after school activities, and early morning pilates. Want to know what a day looks like for the designer behind your favourite cool, cotton dress? Here’s a peek into my world...

A woman in a pink cardigan and white shirt sits on a black-and-white patterned couch, sketching in a notebook. The wooden table in front of her holds art supplies, a blue pouch, and a vibrant drawing of crabs in turquoise, reflecting West Indies Wear’s creative process. Another angle shows a close-up of the crab drawing with markers nearby.

My alarm buzzes at 5 a.m., and I’m off to Pilates to stretch out the chaos of running a small business. Back home by 6:30, I sink into the couch with my sacred cup of Earl Grey—milk, half a teaspoon of sugar, no exceptions. It’s my quiet moment while my kids, now 12 and 14, bustle around getting ready for school. Gone are the days of tying shoelaces or brushing their teeth; they’re out the door by 8:15, waving from the bus, and I’m already mentally sketching the 2026 collection.

A woman in a navy sweater with a starfish design sits on a black-and-white patterned couch in a cozy room, drawing on a sketchpad. The wooden coffee table in front of her is cluttered with art supplies, papers, and colorful sketches of marine life, capturing a behind-the-scenes moment of creativity for West Indies Wear.


After a quick shower, my morning skincare routine is a non-negotiable that I’ve been doing for almost a decade. Then I usually head straight upstairs to my office—but truth be told, my best designing happens in my loungeroom. There’s something about the light and a messy pile of fabric swatches that sparks ideas for our next coastal print. My husband, Justin, has been a lifesaver, packing orders so I can lose myself in sketching or flipping through my Pantone colour book. Right now, I’m deep in design mode for 2026, and I’m obsessed with Pantone 15-5218 TCX (Pool Blue)—its vibrant turquoise feels like diving into a sparkling Caribbean bay.

A Pantone color swatch fan displays a turquoise shade labeled "Pantone 15-5218" (Blue Curacao), surrounded by a spectrum of bright colors like red, orange, blue, and pink, inspiring West Indies Wear’s tropical design palette.

Year after year, I love paging through old travel journals and photo albums from my Caribbean days. Those faded Polaroids of coral reefs and market stalls? Pure gold for design inspiration. I’ll admit, I sneak onto Pinterest for island inspo too—coral pinks, turquoise waves—but I try not to fall down that rabbit hole for hours. Lately, I’ve been flipping through my old journals from the M/Y Sahara days, when my now 21 year old Maya’s tiny 3 year old footprints marked the deck and every sunset felt like looking at a painting. One entry, scribbled under a Grenada sky, always pulls me back to why I started this brand.

A split image featuring a vibrant rainbow over a lush, tropical landscape with green foliage and distant hills, paired with a nostalgic photo of a smiling woman in a plaid jacket standing beside an older man in a plaid shirt, leaning against a white car. The rainbow evokes cherished memories of the woman’s grandad for West Indies Wear’s behind-the-scenes story.

My days don’t follow a neat schedule, and I’m okay with that. I bounce between updating the website, emailing the accountant, brainstorming marketing ideas, checking inventory, and answering customer questions. It’s a juggle, and my biggest struggle is sticking to one task—I’m notorious for starting a sketch, then all of a sudden switching to a spreadsheet. But every day, I aim to cross a few big things off the to-do list, whether it’s finalising a new skort design or making sure a customer’s order ships on time.

A close-up of a hand using a red marker to draw intricate coral patterns in shades of pink, orange, and yellow on paper, showcasing the detailed design process for West Indies Wear’s Caribbean-inspired collections.

By 3 p.m., the school bus rolls in, and I swap designer hat for mum mode. Afternoons are a whirlwind of driving—my daughter’s dance classes, my son’s gym sessions, basketball practice. Some nights, I’m still chauffeuring at 8 p.m. It’s hectic, but I wouldn’t trade it. The best moments come unexpectedly, like glancing out the window to spot a rainbow arcing over the sky. Every time, it feels like a wink from my Grandad, who left us 15 years ago but still feels close.


This life—part chaos, part creativity—is what fuels West Indies Wear. From my kitchen bartop to your beach bag, every piece carries a story of sun, sea, and a little bit of my heart.

A close-up shows two stylized crab drawings in turquoise on white paper, with bold blue outlines and speckled details. Nearby, several Copic markers in shades of blue and turquoise rest on the paper, highlighting the artistic process behind West Indies Wear’s Caribbean-inspired designs.


Oh, and by the way, I've got something exciting coming your way! I’ll be releasing a brand-new garment during my live chat in Our Island Family Facebook Group at the end of the week. It’s currently under lock and key as to what it is, but I have a sneaking suspicion you island girls are going to love it!


I can't wait to see you all on island, later this week—Tune into Our Island Family at 8pm EDT Thursday / 11am AEST Friday.


One Love,
Kim x



Instagram Q&A


What’s the weirdest print you’ve ever tried? I once sketched a flamingo-and-pineapple combo—let’s just say it stayed in the sketchbook, for now!
One thing you can’t design without? My Earl Grey. It’s basically creative fuel.
Dream island to revisit? Grenada, where it all began—those markets still colour my designs.

Loved this peek into my day? Follow me on Instagram for more behind-the-scenes moments, join our Island Family Facebook Group to connect with almost 3000 island girls from around the globe, and get a first dibs on the 2026 collection!

 

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