From new store openings to collaborative projects and ongoing fundraisers, in 2024 First Nations clothing company House of Darwin has continued to make headlines.

The celebrated Indigenous brand celebrated another win with their return to the Melbourne Fashion Week runway last week.

Amidst the chaos of Fashion Week, Style Up caught up with House of Darwin founder Shaun Edwards to learn more about the brand's rise.

"We're really leaving no stone unturned - we've completed another 2 Hoop Dreams projects. One in Barunga and another in Wangkatjungka. Our new store opens at the end of the month and we're moving into a new office in the city. It's been a wild little ride but one I'm really proud of. I'm immensely proud of the team for having a can do attitude during this growth period," he said.

Edwards said he is thrilled for House of Darwin to have the opportunity to participate and impress at Melbourne Fashion Week (MFW) again.

Edwards also shared that this year's House of Darwin (HOD) collection shown at MFW was a collaborative collection with Bábbarra Women's Centre, located in the heart of Arnhem Land.

"Living in Darwin you're very much out of touch with what's happening in the big smoke so its a great opportunity to connect and see what other creatives are doing," Edwards told Style Up.

This year's Melbourne Fashion Week (MFW) will feature a unique and powerful collaboration between House of Darwin and the Bábbarra Women's Centre in Maningrida, showcasing a fusion of fashion and culture with a deep connection to community.

The Bábbarra Women's Centre, located in the heart of Arnhem Land, is a renowned hub for female Aboriginal artists who create stunning textile designs and screenprints. Their work tells stories of the region, its people, and the land, all while supporting local women by empowering them through meaningful employment and skills development.

Established in the early 1980s, Bábbarra has become a symbol of creativity and strength for the Maningrida community, representing decades of tradition and artistry.

"For this collaboration, House of Darwin has partnered with Bábbarra Women's Centre to bring some of their iconic screenprint designs from the 1990s archives to life. These vintage designs, deeply rooted in Aboriginal culture and storytelling, will be printed on House of Darwin's core range of oversized shirts. The collaboration beautifully merges Babbarra's rich artistic heritage with House of Darwin's modern, socially conscious approach to fashion," Edwards said.

"As part of their MFW showcase, the pieces will pay homage to Indigenous fashion trends, pairing the bold screen printed shirts with long, colorful skirts, statement jewelry, and sleek footwear. It's a celebration of the past, present, and future, with a portion of the profits from the collection going back to support the women-run Babbarra Centre, ensuring that their vital work continues to thrive.

"This partnership is a testament to the power of collaboration, blending tradition with contemporary fashion to create something truly special for the MFW runway."

With the collection gaining the attention of both consumers, critics and HOD's significant social media following, the First Nations brand and organisation has positioned itself as one of the community's fashion frontrunners.

Striving to be seen as more than a brand, Edwards is eager to reinforce House of Darwin is involved in a variety of projects in and outside the First Nations fashion community, and "reinvests profits into social programs that support remote communities across the Northern Territory".

"With a focus on promoting culture, sustainability, and giving back, House of Darwin represents the intersection of contemporary fashion and social responsibility," he said.

Edwards hopes the brand's recent presentation on the MFW runway has inspired and intrigued crowds.

"Hoping they're inspired to head north and see what the show was all about. We've got a few big collaborations coming out, but I'm most excited about our new store," he said.

House of Darwin's new store opens at the end of November - Shop 2 / 20 Knuckey Street Darwin CBD.

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