In a new world where fast fashion threatens to overshadow traditional craftsmanship, Kim Bexon, the face behind shoe brand Woven Palm, stands out for her love of creating handmade, sustainable leather shoes. Based in the coastal town of Sunrise Beach, Kim draws inspiration from her diverse life experiences—ranging from teaching high school students as a Language Teacher, to her love for design, and working with her hands.
In this month's instalment of The Creatives Series, we visited Tess in her studio and had the opportunity to talk with her about how she turned her passion for ceramics into a full-time job, her creative process, and the joy of creating with your hands.
Tell us where you are based, what you do, why you like to do it, and how you like to work?
My name is Kim Bexon and I live in Sunrise Beach with my husband, Thomas, my 10 year old son, Arkie, and our two dogs, Bonnie and Inu.
I feel a bit strange answering what I ‘do’ for a living because, like most people I know, every day I ‘do’ a lot of different things. I teach, create, motivate, design, evaluate, construct, cook, love, surf… and I do all of these because I love them and they give me inspiration and purpose, especially being in the realm of service to others.
Over the course of almost 20 years navigating high school education, I’ve been fortunate to build so many meaningful experiences and connections with young people and I feel inspired by their creativity, ingenuity, and how they see our world.
I like to take this energy (but still appreciate the solace) into the studio during the other days of the week when I’m designing and making shoes. Even though I’m making shoes solo, I still try to build a relationship with every customer. I contact them personally to learn about their needs to make sure that they’ll receive the custom shoes that they were hoping for.
Could you share a bit about your background? How did your journey lead you to making shoes?
My journey into shoemaking wasn't linear. For as long as I can remember I’ve always wanted to see the world - it’s the curiosity of exploring other cultures, I guess. I majored in Languages at University, lived in Japan, and worked and travelled in several countries which brought me to teach high school Japanese and Indonesian. But, I’ve always had a passion for working with my hands and creating things. Over time, I became fascinated with leatherwork—the way it ages and develops character really captivated me. This passion naturally evolved into shoemaking, where I could combine my love for design, craftsmanship, and the unique qualities of leather. Ten years ago, I took the plunge and started Woven Palm, and I haven't looked back since.
Over the years your shoes have garnered quite a cult following and become the wardrobe staple of many women. Did you ever anticipate this?
Honestly, no, I didn’t anticipate the level of following Woven Palm has gained. I started this journey because I loved the process of creating something beautiful and functional. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how my shoes resonate with people and become a part of their everyday lives. The support and love from customers have been overwhelming, and it’s a constant source of motivation for me to keep evolving and creating.
Can you tell us a little bit about the evolution of Woven Palm – from starting the business in the early days to being the shoemaker and business maker too?
Woven Palm started as a passion project in my home studio. In the early days, after learning from a shoemaker, it was just me, learning through trial and error, figuring out how to turn my ideas into a reality. Over time, the business grew, and so did my skills and understanding of what it takes to run a brand. Now, Woven Palm is not just about making shoes; it's about creating a community of like-minded people who trust the hand-making process and appreciate slow, sustainable products. I'm still trying to balance the creative aspects with the business side of things though – it’s always a work in progress.
Can you please give us a little insight into the inner workings of Woven Palm? Where are you based and are there any tasks that you outsource?
Woven Palm is based in my home studio in Sunrise Beach. It’s a one-woman show for the most part—I handle everything from design to production. I don’t have a formal team, but I rely on friends and family for guidance and advice, especially from my husband who owns an established business. The only aspect I outsource is the production of the bags in which the shoes are delivered. Everything else, from sourcing the leather to the final touches on the shoes, is done right here in my studio.
How do you find the creative process, what do you struggle with?
The creative process is definitely a double-edged sword. Both exciting and challenging. I find joy in playing with different ideas and materials, but sometimes what I envision in my mind doesn’t quite match the final product. That can be frustrating, but it’s also part of the journey. The struggle often lies in balancing creativity with practicality—ensuring that the designs are not only beautiful but also wearable and functional.
What does being creative mean to you?
Being creative is about expressing myself through my work, being different, appreciating the beauty in life and adopting those pleasures into my work, and constantly exploring new ideas. I like to think that it’s a way of seeing the world differently and finding beauty in the process of making something with my own hands. Creativity, to me, is about innovation and personal expression.
"I like to think that it’s a way of seeing the world differently and finding beauty in the process of making something with my own hands." - Kim Bexon
Your home is an amazing eclectic home full of artwork. Tell us how you got into collecting art?
Art has always been a big part of our lives. We started collecting pieces that spoke to us on a personal level—things that resonate with our sense of style and creativity. Over time, our home has become a reflection of our journey, filled with artwork that inspires us daily. A lot of our artwork has come from friends or times that we have an emotional connection with. Stan Piechaczek and Robert Moore are great mates of ours and we adore their work, and apart from being drawn to their art, we love to support locals like Mitch Cheesman.
How would you describe your design aesthetic?
My design aesthetic is rooted in simplicity and functionality. I love clean lines, natural materials, and a timeless quality that allows the pieces to age gracefully. There’s a strong connection to nature in my work, influenced by the coastal environment where I live. I aim for my designs to be understated yet impactful, with a focus on quality and craftsmanship.
What have been some of your career highlights so far?
Some of the highlights include seeing Woven Palm grow from a small, local brand to one with a global customer base. It’s been incredibly rewarding to receive feedback from customers around the world who love and wear my shoes. Other highlights include collaborating with local labels like Charlee Swim, Holly Ryan, Isobel Badin, Heidi O’Brien, and most recently Hencla, which has allowed me to push my creative boundaries even further.
What would be your dream creative project?
My dream project would be to collaborate on a collection that combines footwear with another form of art, such as textile design or sculpture. I’d love to create a limited edition line that tells a story through both the shoes and the materials used. Something that’s not only wearable but also a work of art in itself, blurring the lines between fashion and art.
What are you working on next?
Excellent question! I feel like I have 101 ideas in my mind, but those who know me, know that I always find it difficult to make a decision, unless it’s about the kind of wine I want to drink! I have new materials in the shoe-dio that I’d like to combine with leather to create a different kind of upper for summer, but you’ll have to wait and see!
