Founded by Emily Riggs in the South Australian town of Burra, Iris & Wool is a fashion brand built on resilience, authenticity and a deep connection to the land. Specialising in luxurious merino knitwear, every garment is made from 100% Australian merino wool – and, in some cases, from wool grown on Emily’s very own farm.

For Emily, the brand is about much more than fashion. Diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma as a child while her mother battled breast cancer, she draws on her personal story of strength and loss as the driving force behind her work. “We’re way more than a fashion brand,” Emily says. “My backstory is why I do this.”

Emily’s story has resonated across the globe, with Iris & Wool pieces now stocked across Australia, as well as New Zealand and the UK. Customers are drawn not only to the quality of the garments, but also to the transparency of the process – from shearing the wool in Burra, to auctioning, spinning and finally knitting it into timeless jumpers. “It’s a true farm to fashion story,” Emily explains.

Giving back is also woven into the brand’s fabric. A dollar from every sale is donated to the Childhood Cancer Association, along with beanies gifted to children newly diagnosed with cancer in South Australia.

With its blend of style, integrity and purpose, Iris & Wool stands as a powerful example of how South Australian fashion can make an impact far beyond the wardrobe.

Read more about Iris & Wool here.