A move to the regions has unlocked previously undreamt opportunities in fashion for one former city girl.
Emily Riggs, Burra, is the subject of episode two of podcast You Moved Where?, which features stories of Australians who have made the move from the city to the bush.
Podcast host Bec Bignell, who herself recently returned to regional Australia after years spent in Sydney and abroad, chats with Ms Riggs about the opportunities that she found while far away from the city.
Ms Riggs, who runs her own wool fashion brand Iris and Wool, previously lived in Melbourne while working in marketing, before moving to the Mid North with her husband.
"What I love about Emily's story, is it plants the seed, that not only do you not need to be in the city to achieve your creative dreams, but actually it can be the inbuilt features of the bush, that bring
those dreams to fruition," Ms Bignell said.
"In Emily's case this was joining her husband's sheep business and creating beautiful pieces from Merino wool, including from fleeces off her family's very own sheep."
In 2023, and now a mother of two, Ms Riggs draws on her regional lifestyle and the landscape to inspire her collections and well has her drive to promote wool itself.
"I feel that the future of fashion is all traceability, and sustainable, natural fibres," she said.
"It's the way of the future...Gen Z - that's what they want. Contemporary consumers are invested in understanding the story behind the clothing they wear."
When asked about the key to being in the fashion business in the bush, Ms Riggs says it's technology.
She leverages tech and remote digital systems for immediate access to all the different people based in Australia and overseas who are involved in the process - from design to distribution.
Technology also enables Iris & Wool to connect with extensive networks and high-profile supporters who've been instrumental in helping accelerate the growth of the brand.
Ms Riggs said those considering a move to regional Australia should "just do it".
"Come and experience it - it's just the best. I feel like you wouldn't look back - you'd think, 'why was I living in the city when I have all this beautiful space and a beautiful community," she said.
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Ms Riggs is one of eight 'movers' host Bec chats to in Series 1 of You Moved Where?!
Other guests include Olympian and media personality Giaan Rooney, who swapped Brisbane for a macadamia farm in the Northern Rivers region of NSW; Ellie Bigwood who switched Sydney for the expanse of a top end cattle station and Jacinta Reddan who, following an international corporate career, has landed the job of her dreams in sunny Cairns, Qld.
- Listen to Emily's story on Episode 2 and subscribe to You Moved Where?! at Apple Podcasts and Spotify
