Career Story: Ryan Neville - Designing with Purpose at HoMie

Bloom has had the privilege of partnering with HoMie as their HR partner for the past couple of years. During this time, it’s been a genuine pleasure working alongside, and getting to know, their team. We were delighted when Ryan Neville, HoMie’s Lead Designer, accepted our invitation to share his story.

Ryan originally studied graphic design before later specialising in fashion design. Ryan’s earliest roles were spent designing corporate merchandise, working in fashion manufacturing and also some time as PA to a South Australian politician. These early experiences all hold fond memories for Ryan, but he struggled to find a role which he was truly invested in. That was until his path crossed with HoMie, working on a print run of HoMie t-shirts, when he discovered the brand and knew it was where he wanted to be. He began volunteering with HoMie in his spare time, transitioned into freelance work, and eventually moved into a full-time role. Fast forward seven years, and Ryan is now the lead designer in a role that now sees him leading the brand’s product direction.

When Ryan first came across HoMie, its difference was immediately clear.

“HoMie is completely different organisation to any other I’ve come across,” he says, “blending social inclusion and fashion in a way no one else really does.” Ryan firmly believes that it’s that unique quality which is central to HoMie’s success.

Working in the not-for-profit sector gives Ryan’s role an added sense of purpose. One of the most rewarding aspects of his work is seeing the progress made by participants in HoMie’s Pathway Alliance and Retail Ready programs.

“It is incredible watching their confidence grow,” Ryan says. “You really see people come out of their shell as they move through the program.”  These experiences influence the way the team thinks about design and the impact each product and the wider team can have.

Over his seven years with the organisation, Ryan has been involved in developing many of HoMie’s most popular items.

The heavyweight collection is a standout (pictured below), forming a core range of everyday essentials that have become a signature for the brand.

His personal favourite, however, is a new product soon to be released: HoMie’s reversible jackets.   “They are the piece I am most proud of,” he says. “They work well in everyday life but still look polished.”

While its mission is what initially drew Ryan to HoMie, it’s the people who have made the biggest impression.

“They are the best people I have ever worked with,” he says.“  Supportive inside and outside the workplace.”

As a wheelchair user, Ryan has encountered barriers that exist in many fashion settings, applying to roles that he later discovered were located in small upstairs spaces without suitable access. HoMie approached things differently. Early meetings were held in accessible cafes, flexible work options were built in from the start, and today Ryan splits his time between HoMie’s accessible Collingwood head office and the new Emporium store.

Beyond physical accessibility, Ryan values the collaborative nature of the team. Being part of a small organisation means being involved across the full production process, from concept development and supplier conversations to resolving production challenges and joining photoshoots. That variety has contributed to a role that feels both diverse and rewarding.

Ryan’s journey at HoMie highlights what is possible when design and purpose come together. From volunteer beginnings to leading the brand’s product direction, he has helped shape products that support a mission far larger than the clothes themselves.

As HoMie continues to grow, Ryan remains focused on creating work that is thoughtful, practical and aligned with the needs of the young people the organisation exists to support.

Thank you so much Ryan, for taking the time to share your story. 

PS we can’t wait to see the new reversible jackets!