OUR STORY

Fleetwood Collection was born from my love of Travel, Textiles, and the freedom and fashion of the 1970s.... I was born in 1973, but ive always felt I should have been a young adult in that era. I adore everything about it - the music, the festivals, the fashion, and the spirit and individuality that defined that time.

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Vintage and eclectic style has always been at the heart of who I am. It's the foundation of Fleetwood. I grew up treasure hunting in op shops and markets, developing a deep appreciation for beautiful textiles -  especially 1970s Indian block prints, hand weaving, kutch embroidery, and all the richly textured fabrics. I still remeber 19 year old me rocking up to drama school in 1992 in a 70s Indian gauze blouse, denim dungarees, layers of silver jewellery & my Indian mirror work bag - pieces I still wear over 30 years later!

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This journey began in 2005. During a hiatus from my career as an acupuncturist, I found myself feeling burnt out and disconnected from creativity.  Then one day I stumbled upon an empty small shop, and something shifted and the vision slowly came to life!  

I set off to India backpacking for 4 months to source beautiful treasures for my new store. Joining me on the adventure was my very new boyfriend of 3 months - who, as it turns out, became my husband & has been by my side the entire ride.... but that's another story. As they say, the rest is history!

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For 20 years my little haven dressed and nurtured the local community and customers Melbourne wide, and i am so proud of its place in the history of my community. ​Fleetwood has continued to evolve and adapt as I myself grow and change..... and  after 20 years, with now teenagers, i feel its time to focus solely on my own Fleetwood label...

I now feel unified with a purpose - a passion project of bringing my customers artisanal, ethically made & sourced treasures. I am not a large company. It is solely me whom designs, communicates, chooses, styles, inventories, & packs your pieces with love, care and always- GRATITUDE. 

Please be aware when you order fom me you are ordering from a very small Australian business, not a huge multi ​national company!

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My focus is sustainability and I recognise that everything we buy has environmental, health and social impacts upon us.

Fleetwood is not about fast fashion or trends that come and go... it is about slow, thoughtful and timeless pieces that will last a lifetime.

We create small batches so that we hold no waste, and so that you can be sure to hold a unique piece that wont be worn by everyone.

 

 I cherish the beautiful relationships I have made with makers across the world from my years of globe trotting......  From the Hilltribe communities in Northern Thailand that hand carve our silver ranges, the cottage industry of women in Thailand that embroider our Fleetwood Folk range, and the Indian Artisans that hand blockprint, embrioder and tailor our clothing ranges using ancient and natural methods. My working realtionships with my artisans are based on respect, integrity and honesty.

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Fleetwood is growing a community of likeminded, creative, earth conscious humans and i am honoured and grateful to be constantly inspired and able to do what i love with passion and purpose.

Thankyou for supporting small sustainable Australian business.

Dan xoxo

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