We sat down with Kylie Mobsby, founder of Towel Society, to talk about the problem that started it all, why no one had solved it before, and the design evolution that led to one of Australia's most practical lifestyle products.
Let's start at the beginning. What was the moment you realised something needed to change?
I was in my "come on fifty, I'm ready for you" era. Swimming, gymming, living life at full tilt. And every single session ended the same way: a soggy towel tossed across my car seat. One under the headrest, one on the base, one still wrapped around me. My car was basically a mobile linen cupboard. And yet, my seat was always damp. It was ridiculous, honestly.
So you went looking for a solution?
Of course! I thought, surely someone has figured this out. But I couldn't find anything that actually worked. Something that was waterproof, non-slip, washable, quick to fit, great quality, and comfortable. That combination just didn't exist. Not in Australia, not anywhere I could find. That's when I thought, okay, I'm going to have to make this myself.
And that's how Towel Society was born?
Exactly. I spent 18 months working on the designs before launching Towel Society in October 2023. The idea was simple: your lifestyle deserves better. If you're out there swimming, training, surfing or working, you shouldn't have to choose between protecting your car seat and being comfortable. The original Waterproof Car Seat Towel was designed to do it all in one product. As far as I know, I was the first person in Australia to design something like this specifically for car seats.
Walk us through the design process. Was the first version the final version?
Not at all! The original design launched in October 2023 was a great foundation, but I'm always thinking about how to make things better. One of the biggest upgrades came in March 2024 when I introduced detachable straps, and it came directly from customer feedback.
People loved the towel but wanted the option of a more permanent fit. The challenge was doing that without compromising airbag compliance. That's non-negotiable for safety. So I went back to the drawing board and redesigned the product with detachable straps that give you a secure, more permanent fit while still being fully airbag compliant. You can see the full current range of car seat towels here.
It was a game-changer. Suddenly the towel could adapt to so many more vehicles and use cases. That's the kind of iteration I love. Listening to real people with real problems and making the product work harder for them.
What makes the Waterproof Car Seat Towel different from just throwing a towel on your seat?
[laughs] Oh, where do I start. A regular towel slides around, doesn't stay put, doesn't protect the sides of your seat, and still lets moisture seep through eventually. Our front car seat towels are engineered to stay in place, block water from reaching the seat, and be genuinely comfortable to sit on. Not scratchy or stiff. And they go straight in the washing machine. It's the difference between a workaround and an actual solution.
We even have a Tradie Car Seat Towel Kit for those who need heavy-duty ute seat protection, and a 2-Pack option if you want to cover both front seats or mix and match colours.
What's next for Towel Society?
The Waterproof Car Seat Towel is just the beginning. It's the first in a growing range of functional, no-fuss towel products your life never knew it needed. We're only just getting started. Watch this space!
Want to know more about the story behind the brand? Read our full story here. Ready to try one? Shop the Waterproof Car Seat Towel collection.