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Using fashion as an outlet to deal with the trauma of cancer as a child, Iris and Wool founder Emily Riggs says she is “honoured and humbled” to be named the winner of the 2022 Shine Awards.

Launched in 2017, the Shine Awards celebrates Australian women who make a real difference to the nation.

Sky News host Paul Murray said there’s “no better example” of this than Ms Riggs.

“Mum and I would battle cancer together and a year into my treatment, mum sadly lost her battle, she was only 43 and it was the hardest time of my life,” Ms Riggs said.

Mixing escapism with her love of fashion, Emily created the fashion brand Iris and Wool.

Ms Riggs said the iris flower was her mother’s favourite flower.

“I’ve really delved into the power of this story, I think that’s how I’ve cut through what is a saturated market,” she added.

In partnership with Harvey Norman