Meet the Designer: Josephine, Founder of BillowK9
Hi, I’m Josephine – the designer and founder behind BillowK9! I studied Fashion Design & Marketing at Northumbria University in Newcastle, where my graduate collection earned me an incredible opportunity: a full-time job designing and launching a womenswear collection with TU Sainsbury’s. My collection sold out, and the experience taught me so much about the industry, design, and the power of great products.
When the world shifted during the 2020 lockdown, I began working as a freelance seamstress and in 2021 I decided to launch my own womenswear brand, Billow – inspired by the raw beauty, bold colours, and resilience of the Cornish coastline. What started as slow fashion soon took a new direction after my boyfriend suggested I make matching dog coats for my designs.
While selling at local markets, a customer made a comment that stuck with me: “I don’t need something for the outdoors — I need something for the aftermath.” That moment sparked the idea for a completely new kind of dog product. After researching the market and spotting a gap, I got to work designing our first ever Dog Drying Robe, using a few towels from TK Maxx and a lot of love. We trialled the towels on a local market, and they all sold out. I was onto something…BillowK9 was officially born in February 2022!
Fast forward three years, I handmade every product myself until January 2025, when we proudly received our first shipment from our incredible factory in Turkey. We've refined and developed the range into what it is today — practical, high-quality, and full of heart. Oh and might I add…so cute!
I’m so excited for what’s ahead, and I feel incredibly proud of how far BillowK9 has come in such a short time — especially after years of hand making every single piece from my workshop. This journey has been a wild one, and it's only just beginning!
How BillowK9 Was Born
BillowK9 began as an unexpected twist in my creative journey. Originally, I launched a womenswear fashion brand called Billow in 2021, inspired by the natural beauty and colourful tones of the Cornish coastline. With a love for both design and dogs, I started creating matching dog coats to complement the womenswear line and sold them at local makers markets.
One day, a customer made a comment that stuck with me: “These are lovely, but I don’t need something for during the walk — I need something for the aftermath.” That moment sparked something. I dove into researching the market and discovered a gap in stylish, practical post-walk drying solutions for dogs.
Soon after, I designed and sewed the first line of Drying Robes by hand and trialled them at a makers market in Congleton, Manchester — and they sold out. I knew I was onto something.
Fast forward three years, after making all the products myself for 2.5 years in my Manchester workshop, I now proudly work with a trusted factory in Turkey that helps us keep up with demand while maintaining our commitment to quality and craftsmanship.
If you’d told me back then this would be my business journey, I would’ve laughed — but with hard work, belief in the product, and love for what I do, BillowK9 is still here and growing stronger every day.
