FOR THE LADIES: Documentary filmmaker Sari

Sari Braithwaite is a most accomplished local filmmaker. You might recognise her from her recent ABC documentary Paper Trails, a film about prominent Aussie journalist and social activist Anne Deveson. Sari is one of our biggest fans and Obus is definitely one of hers.

What neighbourhood in Melbourne do you live in and what do you like about it?

I live in Reservoir. And I love that if you don’t pronounce it right, people know that you aren’t from here.

What is your day job and what do you love about it?

I work part-time in film as a documentary maker, and I work part-time as researcher in Australian history. Both jobs are about trying to find stories that have been forgotten, or overlooked - or finding new ways to understand our world.

Do you have a passion project or hobby? Tell us about that.

I’m a very devoted op-shopper. I can come home with some pretty weird stuff (if it’s the right price).

When did you first discover Obus?

I think it has to be around 2012. I bought a dress that I ended up wear to weddings the first year my friends started getting married. It was important because I think it was that time when I first started thinking of myself as a grown-up.

A lot of mornings, I’ll get up, and I just throw on something on, and start my day. I’m a 5 minutes, out of the house person. I’m someone who loves clothes, and loves shopping, but I’m not that into getting ready. For me, Obus is comfortable, effortless, and I just throw on this beautiful thing, which is beautifully made, and I can live my life in it, and I feel good in it.

At least once a year I will walk in and see a print that I love so deeply and instantly, that I almost want to eat it.

Do you have a funny or nice story to share about a time you were wearing Obus?

I was visiting my grandmother in Ipswich 5 years ago. She was in her 90s, fiercely independent and living alone. I woke up one morning and she was wearing my Obus Folk Print dress, and she looked amazing…she was an incredible looking woman, with these amazing legs. She ended up borrowing it for the summer, and just owning it.

Is wearing locally made clothing important to you, and if so, why?

Clothes can be how we express ourselves, they bring joy and imagination into our lives. They lift the everyday. But if something is beautiful, but created in a ugly way in sweatshops, I think it diminishes it. I always think that how we go about making things is just as important as what we actually make.

What’s your favourite thing to do on your days off?

Have a bath in the backyard, hang with friends and family, and go hunting for hard rubbish.

My favourite podcast/radio show is: S-Town


I’m currently reading: I’m not reading a backlog of The New Yorker - it’s the subscription that shames me

I’ve just finished watching: Difficult People

My favourite place I’ve ever travelled to is: Far-off wonderful places in Australia. I love a road trip.

I love to sing loudly along to: The Rose by Bette Midler

I love the saying: Life be in It.

My super power is: Table Tennis

You can catch Sari's doco Paper Trails here on ABC iView