breakfast with Lara.
Lara Worthington, nee Bingle, is back in Sydney with husband Sam Worthington and their six-month-old boy, Rocket, as she steps back into the spotlight as a style ambassador for Westfield and as a guest of the Bazaar in Bloom charity event. Lara, 28, talks to me about being a new mum, her business The Base, “relentless” paparazzi and what she does for fun.
What is a day in the life of you?
No two days are the same … It’s almost like controlled chaos and every day I’m learning something new … I try to juggle things the best I can.
What are you doing back in Australia?
I’m back as the style ambassador for Westfield. The campaign really resonated with me and felt like a good fit … It’s all about being yourself and being comfortable with who you are, and not trying to be like anyone else. “Today I Am” … is a positive message and I felt like it was a good alignment with where I’m at with my life today.
What are you working on at the moment?
Being a mum! It’s a full-time job. I’m also working on expanding my self-tanning and beauty brand, The Base.
Tell me about The Base.
I wanted to create products that I use every day … I’m all about simplicity, so it made sense to create uncomplicated, minimalistic products to enhance natural beauty, rather than cover it up. I created the products as a woman knowing what I wanted to use… after being in the industry for over a decade and having hundreds of products applied to my face and body … I also wanted to get into the business and learn – everything from packaging, warehousing, product development, marketing and the back end of the website; I know every sale that goes through, and I run all of the social media so I can have the interaction with my customers.
With so many tanning products on the market, what makes The Base unique?
The tone and smell… I worked really carefully with my formulators on getting the right golden/olive tone… Many self-tanners can be orange. We also have The LB Cream – it’s my must-have product to use every day, especially since having Rocket, there is literally no time, as I’m sure you will agree – [so] it’s a multipurpose cream … We’ve just launched two new LB creams, so there are now four shades. I have two limited-edition Lip2Cheek shades coming out and a really clever universal bronzer that will be launched towards the end of November … For me, it’s about consolidating the brand for the next few months, doing some more market research and continuing to connect with my customers.
Tell me about your involvement in The Royal Hospital for Women Foundation’s Bazaar in Bloom charity?
I shot the November cover for Harper’s Bazaar and during my interview with Kellie Hush, she mentioned Bazaar in Bloom – a charity event she was working on to raise money for The Royal Hospital for Women. Each year the money raised will go towards improving services and developing further research that will benefit women from all over Australia. This year the money raised will go towards a world-class fertility research centre. I think it’s important to be able to give back and help raise awareness.
Why are you passionate about this cause?
I guess as a new mother, I now appreciate what a gift it is to be able to conceive naturally. To be able to support other women trying to fulfil their dreams of becoming mothers really connects with me. I have friends that have had to use IVF to conceive and it can be an emotional and expensive process … The Fertility Research Centre will be Australia’s first holistic centre offering IVF and assisted-reproduction services to all patients, regardless of socio-economic status. The Royal Hospital for Women also saves lives every day of babies born with life-threatening illnesses. When you hear the stories they’re heartbreaking.
How is motherhood treating you?
It’s amazing, the best thing I have ever done. I’m a new mum so I’m just trying to get used to everything and the learning curve is huge. But no amount of words can explain how much I love Rocket
What’s the best thing about being a mum?
Rocket’s laugh and waking up to him in the morning.
How do you juggle being a working mum? It’s hard at times but we’ve been fortunate enough to manage our schedules so if I’m working, Sam will look after Rocket and vice versa. It just takes a little more planning and preparation.
What is Sam like as a father?
He’s born to be a dad.
Is keeping Rocket out of the public eye important to you and Sam?
Rocket being a kid and enjoying life is the most important thing to us.
Do you hope to grow your family?
Yes! I’d love to have a big family, which is why supporting the Royal Hospital for Women is important to me. Sam and I both only have one sibling – I have a brother and he has a sister – so we both want a big family … lots of kids around the table and at Christmas. The thought of it makes me really happy.
You and Sam are constantly in the public eye. Is it frustrating having paparazzi follow your every move?
It’s challenging. We both understand that it’s a byproduct of our professions and we are OK with that. But it’s when photos of our son are taken without our consent or his, and our safety and the safety of others is compromised: it’s a minority, but there are some paparazzi who are relentless.
You’ve been a household name for over a decade. What is the biggest misconception about you?
There are so many. But I know who I am and my family and friends know the truth and that’s all that matters. I think motherhood really changes you in that way. Someone said to me the other day it softens you but also hardens you … and I think it’s true. I just don’t take the criticism on board any more … I just try and focus on the things that really matter.
What do you do for fun?
I go to the beach and movies, I love The Blacklist TV show, cooking for my family and friends. I also love anything creative, like making little films and taking photographs, and having baths with Rocket!
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Hopefully with more babies, happy, healthy and with a successful business.
BITE SIZE
WE WENT TO Coogee pavilion, Coogee Beach.
WE ATE Seeded granola, banana-almond frozen yoghurt, sweetened almond milk
WE DRANK Superfood smoothies.
LARA WORE A Dion Lee dress.
I WORE a Scanlan & Theodore dress.
TV presenter Sally Obermeder is the co-host of Channel Seven’s afternoon show The Daily Edition, as well as author of best-selling book Never Stop Believing, in which she shares her courageous battle with cancer. Obermeder was announced as the new style ambassador for Westfield and is set to compete in this season’s series of Dancing with the Stars. I caught up with the 40-year-old to chat about how she juggles it all, how overcoming her cancer battle has changed her perspective on life, and how sharing her story has inspired others to never give up.
