SEPTEMBER 2023
SAMMIE O'BRIEN
OUR SOFT POWER SS23/24 AMBASSADOR
ONE
Tell us where you live and what you do?
My husband and I, and our son Lenny, live in Brisbane. We have a farm about an hour and a half out of the city, between Brisbane and Warwick and try to split our time between the two. The view is to eventually be on the farm full time.
I’m a TV Journalist, and I work on two travel shows, Weekender (formally known as Queensland Weekender), and Creek to Coast, which is all about boating camping and fishing… It’s a pretty special job, I’ve been very fortunate to see a lot of Queensland through my travels with the shows. I started at Channel 7 as an intern around 11 years ago. I also present the Lotto of an evening.
TWO
What inspires you?
People achieving great things under challenging circumstances, eg bush business, or anyone living regionally or rurally doing something different, interesting or innovative!
THREE
What do you admire in Emily Riggs as the founder and creative director of Iris & Wool?
Everything! I love, love, love Australian bush businesses, and to see one like Iris and Wool go from strength to strength is just so wonderful. It’s one thing to have a great idea, but it’s another thing to execute it brilliantly, and I think Emily has done just that.
FOUR
What is your favourite look from the Spring Summer ’23 collection?
The Amelia Midi Wool Skirt and the Audrey Wool Top. The colour is AMAZING.
FIVE
What are you excited about with your partnership with Iris & Wool this season?
Firstly, to showcase the gorgeous clothing. It really is an impressive product. It’s beautifully made, feels incredible to wear and I just hope that I can bring more awareness to Australian small business and in particular Iris and Wool. Every
gal needs something from Iris and Wool!!!!
SIX
Why is Australian Merino wool an important fibre in the fashion industry?
Firstly, it’s a natural fibre which is always a massive plus and it’s Australian grown which is also fantastic. To be keeping things here in Australia is something I
think a lot of brands try to achieve, but again, it can be difficult to execute. Merino wool is breathable for our hot climate (especially in QLD where I’m from), and wool is generally the preferred choice for luxury garments, so all in all, it’s a brilliant product to have access to in the fashion industry.
SIX
QUICK FIRE QUESTIONS
What are you currently reading I’ve just finished ‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo’ by Taylor Jenkins Reid. It was a super easy read.
What are you binging on TV? I’m totally hopeless when it comes to TV shows. I’m embarrassed to admit that I love a good trashy series…!
Favourite flowers? There
are so many that I love. Coming into summer, the smell of gardenias in the garden is so beautiful, and I love jasmine season too! Anything with a nostalgic scent. Both of those remind me of my childhood.
Favourite scent? Jo Malone, English Pear and Freesia
Summer or Winter? SUMMER
Do you have a superpower?! I
like to think I can tell when people need my help for something, I feel like I’m quite intuitive with that sort of thing…Not really a superpower, but it’s as close as it comes to one!
