SO, WHO THE HELL IS PEPPER SAINT CLAIR?

INTRODUCING…

For years, I’ve been fascinated by the cadence of Southern living—the language, the storytelling, the ability to let a conversation wander without checking the damn clock every four minutes. I’m Pittsburgh born, city raised, and accustomed to moving with a little more urgency. Somewhere between those two rhythms, Pepper Saint Clair appeared.

Pepper is my alter ego, but she isn’t some Southern belle I invented to play dress-up. She’s the flipside of me—the part that takes her time, notices everything, loves beautiful things, follows Black history down rabbit holes, judges hotel lighting without being asked, and believes luxury has absolutely nothing to do with paying full price.

And because I have never been the conventional pet-having sort, allow me to introduce Rocky, my raccoon homie. Every woman needs a companion. Mine just happens to have opposable thumbs and the facial markings of someone already wanted for questioning.

Pepper Saint Clair holding Rocky the raccoon in an elegant black, silver, and gold interior with city lights, abstract art, and a jeweled evening look.

Behind Pepper is Kimberly Ann Hawes, a two-time August Wilson African American Cultural Center Art for August awardee and the artist behind Hawsé Sumi. Art has always been part of how I see the world—color, composition, interiors, fashion and beautiful objects. I am particularly fond of luxing for less: making something look and feel extraordinary without behaving as though good taste requires financial recklessness.

Travel is another piece of the story. Give me a train, a beautiful station, an interesting hotel and enough time to wander, and eventually there will be a story. My travel adventures live here through Pepper because, strangely enough, people who think they know me probably know considerably less than they think. Pepper lets you see the other side.

So read the travel stories. Definitely visit The Diary for my Black history entries—I think you’ll adore them. Follow me into hotels, restaurants, color stories, art, cocktails, books and whatever else catches my attention long enough to deserve an investigation.

And if there is a story, place, person or piece of history you think I should explore, tell me. If I don’t know about it, I’ll surely find out.

There’s another side to Pepper as well: I love recommending things worthy of being seen. If you are a business, creator, artist, product or simply a person doing remarkable work that deserves more eyes on it, you’re welcome to introduce yourself. Features here are permanent, including the worlds surrounding Escaping the L’Orange Era and Beyond and Prelude to the Crescendo.

I may occasionally decline something that is perfectly worthy—not because it isn’t good, but because it has to belong naturally in Pepper’s world. I believe in the ebb and flow. Nothing gets shoved into the room simply because there was an empty chair.

Suggestions, introductions and feature inquiries: hello@kimberlyannhawes.com

Now you know a little more about me.

Not everything.

Where would the fun be in that?

— PSC