264: Fashion designer Nikki Atkinson shares the private pain behind her merino masterpieces

Nearly two years ago, I stood on stage at Parliament House in Canberra, emceeing the National Rural Women’s Award. I wore a stunning hot pink gown, hand-dyed, made entirely from 100% Australian merino wool, and created just for me. That gown wasn’t just beautiful, it was meaningful. And it was made by today's guest, Nikki Atkinson. Nikki is the founder of Horrocks Vale Collections, a rural fashion brand crafting one-of-a-kind wedding and formal gowns from Australian merino wool. She’s a mum of three, a hands-on designer, and the 2024 South Australian winner of the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award. She lives with her family on a sheep farm in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges,  a region currently in the grip of a crippling drought. Over the past two years, Nikki’s designs have gained national and international attention, from magazine features to London Bridal Week. But behind Nikki’s success is another story - one she’s never shared publicly. Until now. While raising her kids and building her brand from the bush, Nikki has been facing the biggest challenge of her life: her husband Dallas’s diagnosis with stage 4 cancer. In this episode, we talk about building a brand with purpose, the power of wool, the grit of rural life… and what happens when your world falls apart, but you keep showing up anyway. This is her story.A big thank you to our Autumn sponsor, Telstra - championing regional, rural, and remote families across Australia. From next-gen networks to local community support, they’re redefining what’s possible. To learn more about their 5-year strategy, Connected Future 30, and what it means for you and your community CLICK HERERural Health Connect has more than 400 psychologists available to provide support across a broad range of areas. Sessions are done under a mental health treatment plan - simply share this flyer with your GP and request a referral. If accessing a GP is a barrier for you, you can see one bulk billed through RHC (for MHTPs only) here: https://ruralhealthconnect.com.au/general-practitioner/https://www.instagram.com/motherlandaustralia