At Innerspace, we are fortunate to work within a diverse and dynamic industry that thrives on collaboration and creativity. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we want to take a moment to honor the incredible women we work with—those whose experience, knowledge, and passion contribute not only to our business but to the broader design world.
To mark this occasion, we sat down with two remarkable women leading the way in their fields: Jody D'Arcy, a talented photographer and the founder of The Havenist from Perth, WA, and Alice Blackwood, a design editor, journalist, communications strategist, and experienced public speaker. Together, they offer unique perspectives on the evolving role of women in the creative industries, the challenges they’ve faced, and the strides they’ve made.
Jody D'Arcy’s work has consistently inspired and shaped the creative landscape. As a photographer and founder of The Havenist, Jody has worked across multiple disciplines in the design industry. We spoke with her about her career and the changes she’s witnessed within the creative industries, particularly the growing inclusivity and representation of women.
Jody D'Arcy:
"Over the course of my career, I’ve certainly seen encouraging progress in the inclusivity and representation of women in the creative industries, particularly in interior design. It’s an industry largely shaped by talented women, yet we still see leadership roles, large-scale developments, and key decision-making positions often dominated by men, especially in architecture and construction.
That said, the landscape is evolving. More women are stepping into leadership roles, founding their own firms, and being recognised for their contributions in ways that weren’t as common a decade ago. There’s also a growing awareness of the need for diverse perspectives in shaping the built environment, and clients are increasingly valuing a more balanced approach.
Looking ahead, I see even greater momentum. With ongoing conversations around equity, mentorship, and visibility, the next decade will hopefully bring more structural support—whether through investment, awards, or leadership opportunities—for women navigating traditionally male-dominated sectors. Collaboration between disciplines will also be key, ensuring that interior designers, architects, and builders work together with equal influence.
The goal is not just representation, but a true balance where women’s voices shape the industry at every level".
You can view Jody's work here
Alice Blackwood, who has spent over 20 years advocating for the Australian architecture and design industry, has worked as Editor of Indesign magazine and Indesignlive.com, and continues to contribute to the design and media landscape as a Moderator, MC, Judge, Commentator, Mentor, and Advisor. We asked Alice about how businesses and organizations can better support and uplift women, especially in leadership roles.
Alice Blackwood:
"What I’ve observed through numerous conversations with workplace strategists, psychologists, architects, and designers is that workplaces are increasingly embracing a more empathetic approach to leadership, with a stronger emphasis on people-first strategies and work-life balance—especially in the wake of the pandemic. Australian workplace design is among the best in the world, and I believe the design and creative industries have a unique opportunity to lead by example.
By integrating the progressive workplace strategies and environments that they create for clients into their own businesses, they can foster more inclusive, supportive workplace cultures that empower women to lead and rise into positions of influence."
Alice Blackwood:
"Maintaining work-life balance is always a work in progress. It’s rare to have an even split between the four key areas – personal wellbeing, family, work, and social life – as one will often take priority depending on where you’re at (or your stage of life). But keeping them in check is important: it helps prevent burnout, keeps priorities in focus, and supports your overall wellbeing.
I’ve learnt through my own burnout, and also the support of excellent mentors (shout out, Jo Hook), that balance isn’t about perfection, it’s about making sure no one area comes at the expense of the others.
My five learnings are:
By recognising and sharing their insights, we not only celebrate the achievements of Jody D'Arcy and Alice Blackwood, but we also highlight the ongoing evolution of the design industry. As we move forward, it’s crucial that we continue to support, uplift, and empower women in every facet of our field—not for just one day, but for every day of the year.
The future of design is one where all voices, regardless of gender, work together to create a more inclusive and innovative world.
