Conversations with Kevin Bouknight

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Bouknight.

Hi kevin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I always think back to the night my family was getting ready for an evening church service back in 2008. Prior to that night, you could have never caught me in a bowtie. However, for some reason, while getting dressed, I wanted to wear one. I remember walking downstairs and expressing to an old family visitor that I wanted to wear one, and she immediately said, “Do you have a handkerchief? Go get one!”

I brought one back downstairs, and within 10 minutes, she had made me a bowtie – I was floored! From that moment, I fell in love with the art of crafting handmade bowties. I later went on to college, and during my time there, students and faculty began purchasing ties from me. I eventually sat down and came up with a business name, and the rest is history! Well, at least for that chapter.

Over time, my bowtie business, K-Knots Bowties, started to transition into a styling/fashion lifestyle brand. I began curating photoshoots, conducting image consultations, and revamping wardrobes for clients. In 2020, during the pandemic, I decided to rebrand my business, and Clothed Minded Lou was formed.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being in the fashion industry, or in any arena, I feel, is never an easy road. I believe that the struggles and obstacles that come along the way challenge business owners and brands to be greater than their present circumstances. When developing Clothed Minded Lou (CML), I was scared. I went through the mental rollercoaster of questioning whether there was even a need for what I wanted to contribute to this art form – styling.

I did not have the traditional education of going to school and receiving formal training in fashion, so I already felt I had a huge deficit in comparison to my peers. In response, I decided to put myself in spaces where I could learn, adapt, and elevate my perspective – my chance to use every opportunity as a learning opportunity. But within that comes blind loyalty, misguided direction, and accepting a yes just to feel seen or heard. Operating in that mindset often led me to have uncomfortable conversations or blindly moving with people who did not have pure intentions.

For me, it’s important to have a vision that will fuel your mission for the service you provide. Fashion is in the business of customer service.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Clothed Minded Lou is a fashion lifestyle brand rooted in creative expression, personal identity, and intentional presentation. Through styling, image consulting, wardrobe transformation, and creative direction, CML explores how to approach fashion as something that should mean something, not just look good.

I think what sets me apart is my ability to connect clothing, identity, and personal expression, and to approach fashion as something that should mean something, not just look good. For me, Clothed Minded Lou has always been about more than clothing. It’s about understanding the relationship between how we see ourselves and how we present ourselves to the world. Through fashion, I want to create experiences that allow people to explore their identity, embrace their individuality, and become more intentional about how they show up. Because at the end of the day, fashion isn’t just about what you wear – it’s about what you communicate without speaking.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
OMG! You could say I was a very eclectic child. Growing up, I was very active and wanted to be a part of anything revolving around the arts. Being able to sing with a choir or group, or dance, was always an outlet for me to express how I felt. In my personal life, I went through a lot of adversity as a kid, so being able to immerse myself in something creative was very important to me.

I didn’t allow the negative circumstances to limit me from exploring the world as an adolescent. My parents would always ask, “What program are you joining now?” I hated being in the house! (LOL).

Fast forward to today, and I often think about my favorite quote, which has become my life quote: “The world is a book, and those who don’t travel read only a page.”

Pricing:

• Look-book: receive 3 inspirational looks for a specified event; shopping links provided (60$)
• Shop style: curated experience for revamping wardrobe. can be virtual or in-person. (125$ 2hrs; 30$ for each additional hr)
• Overzealous one: full shopping experience, while you stay and relax. in-store and online client shopping with product delivery. (325$ 4hrs including delivery)

Contact Info:

• Website: clothedmindedlou@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clothedmindedlou?rpxt=OTZyYjI3cTBwdXl3&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CMLou21?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@clothedmindedlou2219