Shop Spotlight with Brisbane’s Open House

Written by Mia
on 18 April, 2021

Have you been lucky enough to visit the wonderful, Open House shop in West End? Recently turning 2 we thought it was about time we dropped and get to know this vibrant retail space in Meeanjin (Brisbane). Showcasing an extensive range of locally designed and made wares, wearable art and products by First Nations creatives, as well as a collection of vintage clothing – an inviting diverse mix!

Get to know this creative collective run by four inspiring people who each contribute & complements the space in varying ways. Read on as Co-founder Mia shares how it all began and what you’ll discover on your visit.

Open House brings together my passion for culture, creativity and community..

Can you share the story behind Open House, West End? What was the inspiration behind opening it? 

What started as a casual conversation and sharing of ideas quickly evolved to a shared vision to provide a unique contribution to Brisbane’s creative landscape.

We opened our shop in April 2019 with less than half the stockists we have now!

We’ve grown a lot over the past 2 years having added many more makers to the mix and being discovered and supported by more and more customers.

What started as a casual conversation and sharing of ideas quickly evolved to a shared vision to provide a unique contribution to Brisbane’s creative landscape.

Creating a space for people to connect to designers, artists and makers through their work was the ultimate inspiration, and providing an opportunity for these creatives to share what they do with a growing community is really rewarding!

Who’s a part of the team and what are your individual roles and creative backgrounds? 

The curation and running of Open House is a team effort.  

My cultural heritage is New Zealand Maori (Ngai Tahu, Ngati Kahungunu), and I curate a range of Australian and locally made wares and manage the day to day running of the retail space.  Open House brings together my passion for culture, creativity and community.

Long-time West End local, Nick Goding, adds a fun collection of Boxvintage clothing to space whilst spending most of his time running The End bar next door.  

Troy Casey (Kamilaroi) and Amanda Hayman (Wakka Wakka, Kalkadoon) curate the range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander products from across Australia. 

As well as co-owning Open House, Troy and Amanda are directors of Blaklash Creative, an agency specialising in Aboriginal art and design, and Aboriginal Art Co, a soon to open not-for-profit gallery and store.  They have also recently been appointed as owners and directors of much-loved fashion social enterprise, Magpie Goose.

We are super lucky to have an amazing team that also includes Quandamooka weaver and fine artist, Leecee Carmichael and local designer-makers, Naomi Huntsman (The Sewloist), and Prita Tina Yeganeh.

We all contribute to the space in varying complementary ways!

What’s your favourite part of running Open House and what do you love about Brisbane? 

My favourite part of running Open House is probably sharing stories with our customers that connect them to the pieces they purchase and the artists, designers, makers and creatives behind those pieces. 

I love sharing that a one-of-a-kind dress has been mindfully made here in West End or that the beautiful ceramic piece someone is purchasing was made at a studio just around the corner!  Our customers appreciate being able to also tell the story about the artwork printed on their shirt or dress or connect with remote Aboriginal art centres through products they purchase.

We’re very lucky to be situated in such a supportive community of small, independent shops and have customers that value small businesses like ours and the many we house within our space.

With a vibrant arts and creative scene, it’s really exciting to be a part of the growing local fashion community and First Nations fashion movement.

Meeanjin (Brisbane) is a wonderfully relaxed city situated along the banks of the Maiwar.  With a vibrant arts and creative scene, it’s really exciting to be a part of the growing local fashion community and First Nations fashion movement.

Can you share some of your favourite First Nations designers curated at Open House? 

We have wearable art a-plenty at Open House including Magpie Goose, North, Ngali, collaborations between Publisher Textiles and the Ikuntji and Babbarra Art Centres to name a few!  Local artists-designers Chaboo Designs create hand painted products that we have in store and local maker EB Jewellery designs and makes beautiful fine silver jewellery.  We house art prints and products by Rachael Sarra and fabulous earrings by much loved Melbourne based brand Haus of Dizzy.  T shirts from Clothing the Gap and Bananalands are always popular as are the sauces, spices and other condiments by local foodie business, Three Little Birds and Melbourne based Mabu Mabu.

What can shoppers expect to find in store this Autumn and what are you most looking forward to this year?  

Along with all of the products just mentioned, as the cooler months creeps in you’ll also find fab, fun socks by Claire Ritchie and silk scarves by Julie White, creative designs by Nelson Molloy, a range of sustainably made recycled wool blankets from Seljak Brand and an earring to suit every taste and style.

Autumn will see us add layers and length and perhaps bring back a few longer sleeves.  Its always nice to add darker colours as the weather cools, but there will never be a shortage of colour, texture and pattern at Open House!

I’m most looking forward to maintaining a slightly slower, sustainable pace… taking and making time to connect with makers, customers and the broader community that surrounds us.  Im looking forward to discovering new designers and makers and adding beautiful new products to our space.

Im also looking forward to venturing out to enjoy the rad creative events happening around Brisbane, kicking off with the Finders Keepers!

Open House:
Visit: 73 Vulture St, West End QLD 4101
Open 7 days a week and will soon have a selection of products available online at www.openhousecollective.com
Connect: @openhousewestend and Facebook.

Interested in wholesaling at Open House? Drop them a email: openhousewestend@gmail.com

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