Girl about town Mildred Ellwood.

There’s somethingabout Mildred!

Usually seen at the hottest fashion events around Brisbane in her favourite Zimmermann, Mildred Ellwood has caught our eye with a world of colour and charm. We find out what makes the 2021 Women in Fashion Best Dressed Woman of The Year tick.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAT HOELSCHER

What does fashion mean to you? It’s about having a unique presence that comes with charisma, energy, identity, elegance, determination, strength, and an eye for art.

What do you do outside your world of fashion and frivolity? I’m a nurse of over 16 years!

What is your beauty routine? My go-to beauty brand is La Prairie Switzerland and for makeup, I love using brands such as Anastasia Beverly Hills, NARS, Too Faced, Dior, MAC Cosmetics, and Charlotte Tilbury – I am in love with their lipstick. It’s soft on the lips and lasts longer than any others.

Favourite outfit you have ever worn? My 2019 Myer Fashions On The Field outfit I designed with my son. The colours at the time were too much but he assured me that was the way to go if I wanted to place in the competition. It’s now the best dress I have ever worn. It gives me comfort, strength, and hope. Since his accident in January 2020, he has woven a piece of thread in that dress, so to speak, and it’s a part of his existence that I hold on to.

Who have been the greatest influences in your life? My children, family, peers, colleagues, and friends. With these people in my life, I have enjoyed motherhood, I have enjoyed being a professional nurse, and I have enjoyed the joyful moments of the present and the hopes and promises of the future. While I continue to grieve the loss of my son since January 2020, I accept that you can’t fix pain but the people around you can influence you to balance and better your life. When I partnered to be an ambassador for Brisbane Racing Club in 2021, Damien Anthony Rossi certainly influenced me to overcome obstacles and achieve merit of my own.

What are you looking forward to the most this year? Reflecting on the past, letting go and learning from mistakes and settings goals. Accepting what has been and what will be. Learning the new world we are living in with Covid and staying safe but still being passionate about fashion, creativity, and art.