‘I was diagnosed with cancer on the cusp of my 10th birthday – fashion helped me through’

Each week, we quiz a prominent person about their style and the inspiration behind it. Ahead, Emily Riggs, the founder and creative director of Iris & Wool.

How would you describe your style? Classic with an edge. I love natural fibres, especially Australian merino wool. It’s luxe, renewable and biodegradable – the world’s best fibre.

What’s the oldest thing in your wardrobe? My late mother’s wedding dress from the 1980s.

And the most recent addition? A pair of Chloé “Lauren” lace sneakers.

Who are your favourite designers? I adore designers who use Australian merino wool in their collections – Gabriela Hearst, Albus Lumen, Christopher Esber and Khaite, to name a few. I also love fellow regional fashion labels Castleden Co – designer Heidi Castleden hand-sews everything – and Kennedy the Label’s heirloom pieces for the kiddies.

What’s your favourite fashion era? The 1950s, for the feminine and flattering silhouettes.

What would you wear …
… on a first date? Our Iris & Wool “Little River” navy dress with Manolo Blahnik heels.
… on a plane? We recently did a loungewear collab with Incy Interiors; a sweater-and-trackpant set made from merino wool and cotton with a gold lurex cable through it that’s perfect for the plane because it doesn’t crease.
… on the red carpet? Something super glam by Dior or Chanel.

What’s your fragrance of choice? I wear natural fragrance Aura-Soma Parfum 44 by Sensoriam.

What are three essential items in your wardrobe? A wool sweater, a winter coat and a linen maxi dress for summer.

Any go-to jewellery? Other than my own wedding and engagement rings, I wear my mum’s sapphire and diamond engagement ring and a Paspaley pearl and sandalwood bracelet.

Can you remember a favourite outfit from when you were a child? A blue smocked dress when I was five. It was made by my grandmother and I can’t wait to dress my daughter in it.

And your worst fashion mistake? I cringe when I think about the Adidas snap pants I wore when I was 12.

What was your first fashion moment? Everyone has a sliding door moment; mine was being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma on the cusp of my 10th birthday. I knew what this meant because my mother was battling breast cancer. Mum and I fought cancer together but Mum died a year later. She was only 43. It was horrible; I had lost my mum and I was so sick I could barely leave my bed. I ended up losing my hair and was often mistaken for a boy, which shattered my confidence. That was when I turned to fashion as a creative outlet and as a way for people to look beyond my illness. I didn’t always nail it – hello, snap pants – but what a thrill it was when someone complimented me on my outfit.

What’s on your fashion wish list? An Hermès dressage saddle.

Is there something you would never wear? Dr Martens boots.

What shoes do you wear most often? Nike sneakers. I run in the morning; they stay on for the rest of the day so I can run after my kids.

Is there a current fashion trend you like? I’m loving how people are wanting to buy from brands with a story, that they’re increasingly aware of the benefits of wearing natural fibres, and that traceability is becoming a factor in people’s consumer decisions.

Who’s your favourite fashion icon? Olivia Palermo is always on point; I love how she mixes and matches prints and bold colours. And I love Kate Middleton’s classic and polished style.

What do you wear on a typical working day? My wardrobe consists of easy, everyday pieces that all go together – it might be one of our sweaters with a Camilla and Marc full-length skirt and my Chloé horse-print slides.

And what’s your favourite off-duty, casual Sunday look? Zara high-waisted jeans, a pullover and a coat.

Emily Riggs is the founder and creative director of Iris & Wool.

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