difference. Much like another dynamic and
successful sister partnership, Sara and Amy
Chamberlain (The Real Estate Stylist), the key to
their working together lies in clear delineation of
their roles, and making sure they don’t indulge in
office politics.
‘If we don’t agree, we let each other know, and
it’s over – no politics’ Lizzie says. ‘George is the
designer; I am the brand manager. I bring the
knowledge of what Australian women like to wear
from my time in the magazine industry; I have
the marketing and celebrity contacts. In return, I
respect her design and manufacturing knowledge.’
She admits that working from home much of the
time – and therefore solo – is hard for someone
who is by nature gregarious and used to being
surrounded by a great team. By the same token, it
has meant, from a timing perspective, I am able to
be here for my new baby, whilst still working a lot,
so it’s really a blessing. But building a brand from
scratch, just George and I – from a resourcing
perspective, it’s tough!’
I asked her, as someone who is now very involved
in the online space from a retail perspective, how
far she thought we could go before we reached
saturation point in terms of information overload.
She was very quick to answer.
‘Honestly, I think we’ve already reached – and
passed saturation point. I find logging on really
stressful. There is just so much information out
there – and a lot of it isn’t curated information –
just a giant mess that is so difficult to navigate.
No matter what format it’s in, magazine content is
curated content; it sifts through the content and
helps you edit your life. That’s why there is still a
place for print – I love curling up with a magazine
or a book. And it’s also why editors are still key.’
Could she find herself doing a ‘Maggie Alderson’
and writing about her time in the industry? She
laughed. ‘No! I think Maggie does a much better
job than I ever would… to be honest, I like writing,
but I don’t love writing… I am a much better editor
than writer. I would rather spot a good writer and
nurture them.’
On that point, I asked her whether she felt women
in the media – women who write, who want to be
journalists, editors – are they actively mentored
and sponsored?
‘Look, I think most women support each other,
and I think we are getting better at it. In terms of
breaking into the industry, it still through work
experience mainly – and I definitely used to take
the time to talk to interns and uni students.
There’s no denying it’s a tough industry to get into,
but that goes for both sexes’.
An incredible initiative that Lizzie was involved
with starting during her time at Madison (then
deputy editor), and which she has continued to
be a part of in 2014, is the Witchery/OCRF White
Shirt Campaign for Ovarian Cancer research. I
was thrilled (as a cancer survivor, and carrier
of the BRCA1 gene) when she told me that in
the last month, they have raised $1,000,000
for the campaign. ‘What worries me is the level
of ignorance surrounding ovarian cancer – the
number of women who believe that a Pap Smear
detects ovarian cancer as well as cervical’ she said.
‘It is a silent killer; 85% of women diagnosed don’t
make it past 5 years. Organisations like Witchery
are doing incredible work to raise funds AND
awareness, and I am passionate about finding a
test for early detection’.
New business. New baby. New life. For
someone whose life structure only a year ago
changed incredibly drastically, Lizzie Renkert is
someone extraordinary. She doesn’t deny her
vulnerabilities, which in itself shows her strength.
She is determined and focused on a new path, for
herself and her family.
If I could pick one word to describe Ms Renkert?
I can’t. I need about twenty.
One animal?
A lioness. And she’s definitely at the head of her
pride.
If you would like to be a part of the White Shirt
Campaign in 2014, click HERE