Photos by Melissa Arens
Darcy Harris with her daughter Delphine in her work area at home, wearing matching Darwin and Delilah dresses.
After casually knowing this gal for roughly 20 years, I decided to interview Darcy Ames Harris about her eclectic and fun children’s clothing line, called “Darwin and Delilah.”
Darcy is a stay-at-home mom and home-schooler of three beautiful children, Ollie, 9, Rowan, 7, and Delilah Zelda Delphine, who’s 7 months. She also runs her small, totally family-oriented business out of her sweet home on the south side of Fayetteville. I was intrigued by her style, dedication and hard work. She says her motivation for the “Darwin and Delilah” clothing line was inspired by and after having her first daughter, Delphine.
Darcy has sewn heavily for the past 11 years, mostly making dresses for herself using vintage patterns. She was then inspired to create an affordable — $30-$60 price range — wearable and comfortable (using cotton and up-cycled materials) children’s clothing line, including dresses for moms that are easily breastfeeding accessible, while still looking stylish. Darcy is now creating her own patterns with vintage inspiration.
Darwin and Delilah’s Yellow and Gray dress with Bird Bonnet.
Darcy’s line is mostly available at Darwinanddelilah.com and Heartwood Galleries off of MLK in Fayetteville. She also is a huge part of the local craft scene as well as traveling around to craft shows of her choice, bringing the whole family along for the journey. The stylish mother of three has taken Darwin and Delilah to the Little Craft Show in Fayetteville, Hip Handmade Market in Joplin, Argenta Arts Festival in North Little Rock and White Street in Eureka Springs. She hopes to one day do a showing at Renegade craft show in Austin, Texas.
In addition to children’s clothing, Harris also designs what she calls “little critters” dolls
Darcy says it is nice to have “Darwin and Delilah” be a creative outlet for herself and to have it help fund her traveling with her family. It wouldn’t be possible without all of the help her mother Anita Hejtmanek gives, coming to her house almost daily to help with the children so that she can produce her garments. Her husband Nick’s creative skills with carpentry help make it possible as well, because he builds all of her displays for craft shows as well as helps her with photography for the website. Even her 9-year-old son, Ollie, helps with and participates in the sales at all of the craft shows.
Courtesy Photo
The denim striped vest and pant set is one of the outfits sold for boys by Darwin and Delilah.
So next time you’re in need or want some fun, hip vintage-inspired — but comfortable and washable — mommy and kiddo wear, check out her amazing family business “Darwin and Delilah!”
