What are the three essential items in your wardrobe? A wool sweater, a winter coat and a linen maxi dress for summer.
Any jewelry? In addition to my wedding and engagement rings, I wear my mother’s sapphire and diamond engagement ring and a Paspaley pearl and sandalwood bracelet.
Can you remember a favorite outfit from when you were a child? A blue smock 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 shudder to think of the Adidas 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’s lymphoma on the eve of my 10th birthday. I knew what that meant because my mother was battling breast cancer. Mom and I fought cancer together, but Mom died a year later. She was only 43. It was terrible; I had lost my mother and was so sick I could barely get out of bed. I ended up losing my hair and was often mistaken for a boy, which destroyed my confidence. It was then that I turned to fashion as a creative outlet and 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? A Hermès dressage saddle.
Emily has a keen eye for the mix-and-match style of American socialite and influencer Olivia Palermo.Credit:Getty Images
Is there anything you would never wear? Dr Martens Boots.
What shoes do you wear most often? Nike sneakers. I run in the morning; they last all day so I can run after my kids.
Are there any current fashion trends that you like? I love how people want to buy from brands with a story, that they are increasingly aware of the benefits of wearing natural fibers and that traceability is becoming a factor in consumer decisions for people.
Who is your favorite fashion icon? Olivia Palermo is always on point; I love how she mixes and matches prints and bold colors. And I love Kate Middleton’s classic and polished style.
What do you wear on a typical workday? My wardrobe consists of simple, everyday pieces that all go together – it might be one of our Camilla and Marc full length sweaters and my Chloé horse print slides.
And what’s your favorite off-duty Sunday look? Zara high waisted jeans, sweater and coat.
Emily Riggs is the founder and creative director of Iris & Wool.
Get the most out of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every monday.
