The Women Who Shaped Me

Behind every great woman is a man who feels inspired and enlightened. In celebration of International Women’s Day, we asked six men to describe their leading ladies

EDWINA FOREST

AJE CEO ADRIAN NORRIS ON THE LABEL’S CO-FOUNDER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR

I met Edwina at a shop in Queensland in 2005. She thought I was a lost Norwegian tourist, but I thought she was the one who was out of this world. She was incredibly beautiful and impeccably well dressed. Edwina radiated friendliness and warmth, and nothing has changed. After that initial meeting, we became solid friends. She moved to Sydney to work for a fashion magazine and I had my own retail store in Noosa. I started creating a fashion line, but after a collection or two I realised it just wasn’t very cool, so I called on Edwina to help me make adjustments. Needless to say, Edi has incredible taste and a very attuned eye, and our collaboration as Aje was born. We’ve now worked together for 13 years and I admire so many qualities in her; she likes to dig deeper and has a sincere curiosity about the world. We have a bit of a brother/sister dynamic and I can’t imagine my life – or business – without Edwina. She’s one of a kind.

BROOKE BONEY

ASPIRE TALENT GROUP DIRECTOR MARK JONES ON THE TODAY SHOW CO-HOST