Life In HEATTECH

This winter, UNIQLO is featuring conversations with real, everyday Aussies who work, play and live in our HEATTECH range.

UNIQLO is led by the brand’s philosophy of LifeWear where clothing is designed to make everyone’s life better. It is simple, high-quality, everyday clothing that is inspired by life’s needs. UNIQLO’s HEATTECH range, driven by technology and innovation, serves as a base layer or thermal to help keep you warm during the colder months.

Stay Warm in HEATTECH.

Shop the HEATTECH Collection | Learn more about HEATTECH Technology

Conor Curran

Conor Curran (@creamyconfusion) is a Melbourne based recipe creator who is passionate about modernising the classics. Conor is most commonly recognised for his time on MasterChef Australia season 13, Conor quickly became a fan favourite and a proud LGBTQIA+ advocate. His cooking takes inspiration from his Yia Yia's traditional Greek cooking and focuses on making those nostalgic recipes approachable and enjoyable.

If he’s not in the kitchen, Conor can usually be found at the food markets or enjoying a quiet drink outdoors with his mates.

Tell us about your earliest memory of cooking?
I don’t know if it counts as cooking, but I remember making myself little antipasto plates when I was 3-4 years old. There are home videos of me nibbling away on cured meats, sourdough and cheeses whilst watching Barney.

How has your Greek heritage and more importantly your YiaYia inspired your cooking today?
My parents both worked full time in my younger years so I would spend Monday to Friday at my YiaYias, and with that came picking herbs from her garden. I am a strong believer in the best way to learn how to cook good food is to eat good food. To be able to modernise the food I grew up eating, to me, is such a great way to celebrate the knowledge my YiaYia has passed down.

You were a fan favourite on MasterChef, how did you find your time on the show?
I really went into the show with zero expectations and I think that showed because I was just having the best time. I only started cooking in lockdown a couple months before I applied so to me, every step was a win. I feel very fortunate on the fan response, and to be able to represent the queer community as my authentic self meant a lot. It was a very ‘pinch me’ experience looking back.

Since the show, your Instagram and newsletter are a hub of incredible food and cocktail recipes. What is your go-to recipe for the cooler months?
So kota avgolmeno (chicken lemon soup) is on rotation, it’s so warming and nostalgic. I love bolognese, so there are few braises and pastas. Also ‘My Mates Clementine’ mulled cider recipe I stole from them when I lived in London gets a few rotations on the couch.


Speaking of the cooler months, what are your must-haves when shopping at winter food markets, and how do you stay warm on those early mornings?
The men's HEATTECH Cotton Crew Neck is my new favourite oversized long sleeve, combined with the HEATTECH Warm Lined Pants, which have a babin’ little buckle belt have been a lifesaver for the early market mornings. I run cold so I am a thermal lover, but it's nice to be able to not skimp on my steez whilst keeping a radiant temperature.

What can we expect to see from you over the next year?
Pleasure wise - a lot of travel and eating other peoples food. Work wise - lots more content. I have the greatest job in the world cooking and filming and creating recipes in food and drink so I hope that never stops. I also have a new youtube channel coming called ‘Club Verde’ and I just dropped my new TikTok series called A Curran Affair, so very booked, blessed and stressed.

Connie Cao

Inspired by nature and colour, Connie (@connieandluna) originally started her social channels focusing on travel. Along the way she found a passion for sustainability and developed a love for urban gardening. As an eco advocate with a passion for creating beautiful content, her newly launched podcast and e-books are all about small steps towards sustainability.

What sparked your love of urban gardening?
I’ve always been fascinated with how nature could turn a seed into a plant. It was magic for me and always made me curious to learn more. My parents had a large veggie patch so I first started gardening there.

Your garden is absolutely lovely, what is your favourite plant to grow?
I love growing Asian greens like bok choy, wombok and tung ho (chrysanthemum greens). They’re really easy to grow and great for beginners.

You now have a podcast and e-books with your gardening tips, what would you say is your best advice for those wanting to start growing their own veggies?
Give it a go and don’t worry if the veggies you grow aren’t perfect like the supermarket. It’s normal for home grown veggies to have a hole here and there, it’s a sign that your veggies are spray-free and delicious to eat.


You have a passion for sustainability, are you able to share your top tips for leading a more sustainable lifestyle?
I think being conscious of what you consume and trying your best to use what you have, borrow and repurpose things is a great place to start. I also suggest being conscious of what goes into your landfill bin every week and think about how you can make changes to reduce your waste. Composting is a great place to start!

What are your essentials for a gardening kit?
Gumboots—especially for misty early mornings when the soil is damp or when you're gardening in the rain. Sunscreen—Gotta be sunsmart in the harsh Aussie sun, even if it's cloudy. Harvest basket—Op shops are the perfect place to find a nice little harvest basket for all your hard work - some of my faves are thrifted.

Warm clothes! The HEATTECH range is my literal go to in Melbourne winters, I’ve been wearing it for years and I am never without a HEATTECH top under my jumpers and down jackets, especially in the mornings in winter and I’ve just discovered the turtleneck top this year which is so great for layering. My other love is the HEATTECH Pile Lined Pants. I have three pairs now and they’re just so toasty… if you know, you know!


What are you planting for the winter season?
This winter my garden is filled with Asian greens which are perfect for a hot pot, as well as some slower growing but fun veggies such as cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage. I also have kale, beetroot and garlic as well.

Hattie Molloy

Hattie Molloy (@hattiemolloy) is an installation artist, object maker and creative director based in Melbourne. Historically Molloy’s work has found itself based within the field of floral design. Her work has been featured in the likes of Vogue, Vogue Living, T Magazine, Real Living, GQ, Vice and The Design Files.

When did your passion for creativity begin?
I’ve always been creative. As a child I was always making things and then at school gravitated to arts. Creativity has been with me all through my life as a way I see and interact with the world.

What made you want to work in floral design?
As a child I was flower obsessed, jumping fences to pick flowers or hanging out at the local florist. Flowers are something that I have been drawn to so I decided to follow my passion.


What are your best tips for sourcing the perfect flowers and creating your ideal display?
Going to the flower markets super early (3am) which is hard during those cold winter mornings, thank gosh for HEATTECH! I’m a big layering gal during winter! I always have a HEATTECH long sleeve layered under all my tops and the leggings come in handy under jeans and suit pants. Whether I’m up early at the market or working on my arrangements indoors, I can always rely on the range to keep me toasty!

I go to the wholesale flower market that the public doesn’t have access to unfortunately. But I love going to Queen Victoria Market or local Farmers' market to source weird and wonderful flowers, fruit and vegetables that I incorporate into my arrangements.

I like anything that is weird and wonderful. I gravitate to the flowers that aren't perfect. I love a super bendy stem or even flowers that have little imperfections. My absolute favourite plant is the camellia tree, as their petals make a carpet under the tree which I think is always special. I also love going to a plant nursery called Collectors Corner which has an amazing display of cymbidium orchids in late winter!


Where do you find inspiration for your projects?
I like to look through books of architecture, art, furniture design, sculpture and food. I like to find inspiration in non flower related practices. Also taking some time to just daydream, letting my imagination take over.

I’ve always admired artists who have a very multidisciplinary practice. The thought of not being limited to one path has also inspired me to get into this unique industry.

What is your advice for someone wanting to work in the creative industry?
Focus on creating your own body of work seperate to commercial jobs as that's where you get to push boundaries.

What can we expect from you and your studio in the near future?
I’m now focusing on product design and vases, large scale installations and event design.

Aimee Stanton

Aimee Stanton (@aimeekatestanton) is not your average tradie. Plumber turned DIY specialist & Tiny House Creator, she’s well-known for bracing our screens on Australia’s House Rules. From building, creating DIY projects, living more sustainably and everything in between – Aimee is a firm believer that anyone can get on the tools and give it a crack. As a passionate advocate for women in the trades, Aimee is all about breaking stereotypes.

When she’s not on the tools, you’ll find her working on sustainable tiny houses or travelling around Australia in a caravan.

What sparked your interest in the trades?
Well, funny story actually… I studied beauty therapy and couldn’t paint nails to save my life, so I was searching for a hands-on job. My dad was a builder so I did some labouring for him. While searching for what trade I wanted to do, I remembered a time when I was very young at the service station, and dad told me I could get an ice cream. I immediately reached for the Magnum (most expensive ice cream). Dad looked me in the eyes and said ‘No Aimee, you can’t have that ice cream, that’s a Plumbers ice cream, only Plumbers can afford Magnums… in this house we eat Paddle Pops’. I swear that must have had an influence on me when I choose the road of Plumbing 10 years ago!

Tell us about your “tradie essentials”.
I’m the type of tradie who wears shorts every day of winter, but will layer 2389734897 jumpers and t-shirts up top. HEATTECH has been the knight in shining armour for me because I can layer the HEATTECH Extra Warm Cotton Crew Neck under my work uniform and highly recommend any tradie to do the same – you don’t need jumpers with batteries in them here, or pile on millions of jumpers, HEATTECH has those early morning outside jobs covered!

Most of us would recognise you from House Rules. How was your time on the show?
Man oh man, I’m a person who doesn’t usually get stressed, but it was hands down very stressful, but the most amazing time of my life! Creating something the home owners, judges and every Aussie sitting in their living room is going to potentially judge you on, you want to do the best you can. Kayne and I gave 110% to everything we did, most nights we stayed up to the early hours of the morning studying and planning… but that was the fun of it! We completely enjoyed the ride, the ups, downs and the adventures! We are so grateful for our beautiful home that was created on House Rules, every night we sit and turn to each other and say how blessed and lucky we are!


Since the show you’ve focused on your own DIY projects. When did those projects turn into a Tiny Houses business?
A couple of years before the show, my brother Ben and I quit our jobs ‘working for the man’ to travel and make the most of this beautiful planet. When we got home we both had a completely different mind set about what we wanted in life. We wrote down a list of our passions, which included ‘off-grid, adventure, building and travel’ and got to work to figure out how we could turn our passions into purpose. That’s when we stumbled upon the Tiny House Movement. We bought a trailer and started building our first Tiny House to turn into an off-grid escape, where people can immerse themselves in nature while having the luxuries of a hotel. That’s when Tiny Stays was born. 4 years on we have 7 tiny houses in the making and our goal is to make sure everyone has access to escape the daily grind, turn their phone off and spend quality time with their loved ones.

What are your tips for women looking to start their own business?
Don’t be scared. As they say ‘if you’re on your deathbed, what do you wish you did?’ It is common and completely normal to be scared of failure, but you can’t fail if you don’t give up. If you constantly listen to your target market and adapt to their wants and needs, you will absolutely kill it. It takes time, commitment, passion and probably many tears, but it is worth it.

What are your words of wisdom for people who want to break stereotypes and try something different?
Don’t be too scared to chase your dreams because you’re scared of what ‘Judy from PR’ or ‘Aunt Margret’ will think of you. Life is way too short to be doing something you’re just content with.

If you’re reading this and you want to start up a business, travel to an exotic place, change your career path, walk a million miles… take the plunge now. Because it is never the right time and there is a whole network of women out there that will constantly support and uplift you on your journey! :)

Madeline Slattery

Madeline (@madeline_slattery) is a presenter and reporter for Channel 9 Melbourne - from the evening weather to Postcards on Sunday, Madeline is a familiar face in Victorian households. Throughout her career, Madeline has found a love and interest for fashion and more recently has begun sharing her daily outfits with her Instagram audience - giving Australians a sneak peek into life as a presenter.

Madeline's early mornings as a news reporter and regional adventures on Channel 9 Postcards are made easier when she can rug up in HEATTECH.

How did your career in journalism and broadcasting begin?
I studied a Bachelor of Communications at RMIT, and I quickly realised I needed to do a lot of internships in order to find work. One of those placements was at a news station in Launceston, Tasmania… and that’s where I ended up getting my first on-air job straight out of uni!

What has been the most interesting news segment you’ve covered?
Stories can range so much! This week I interviewed Catherine Martin, who designed all the costumes for the new ELVIS film by Baz Luhrmann, which was fascinating. Then there’s some quirky ones too. When I worked in Tassie there was an annual Penny Farthing ride, where riders take the race very seriously. I remember having a go on the Penny Farthing too - they’re not easy!

Would you have any advice for people wanting to get into journalism and looking for a role on TV?
Doing as many internships or work placements as possible! Making cold calls to newsrooms can be tricky, but worth doing as well. Having a degree under your belt and being prepared to move away from your home city is important too.

Being on location so often must make you great at packing. What are your top tips for packing lightly?
Yes, we always need to have an overnight bag ready! Quite often we have to follow a story somewhere regional at little notice. In winter that means you could end somewhere cold, even the snow - so it’s essential to have layers like HEATTECH thermals and a good puffer on hand this way you can add or remove layers depending on how cold it is.


You have become somewhat of a style icon, gracing TV screens in some incredible outfits. How do you select what you’re going to wear on camera?
Thankyou! We have an incredible wardrobe style team at work, so if I’m in the studio they take care of the looks. If I’m out on the road I’ll choose things that are appropriate for the shoot and weather… I’m a big fan of wide leg trousers and blazers, also midi dresses with sleeves, and plenty of colour to ‘pop’ on screen.

What is next for you in your career?
In the past year I started working on the Postcards show, which travels through the state exploring restaurants and regions. I’m looking forward to filming more of that and finding more hidden gems in Victoria.

Kirianna & Lockie

Kirianna, Lockie (@rileys_travels) and their two children are currently on their second lap of Australia in their 1962 Combi. Their nomadic lifestyle has become hugely popular on social media and inspired a number of Australians to set off on their own road tips. Capturing the beauty of the Australian landscape from cool mornings in the desert to balmy seaside evenings, the family share their top tips for travel, including how to pack light with UNIQLO’s HEATTECH range.

What inspired you to pack your family up and head out on the road?
It was always our goal to raise our children without the normal “rulebook”. We looked at parenthood as a privilege, it was up to us to give our children moral grounding and the tools to be “well rounded people”. Being present in their lives was a big part of why we decided to travel together.

What is it like travelling with young children in a campervan?
It’s fun, we have all been through challenges that has in turn made us resilient. Both children are always happy, creative and enjoy meeting people. They have learnt to be minimalistic and selfless which makes us such proud parents.


Tell us about your most unforgettable travel experience?
There are many; however – most recently we swam with whale sharks in the Ningaloo. We were all so very excited to be up close and personal with these beautiful creatures of the sea.

What are your must-have travel items to keep you all warm whilst you’re on the road?
It is comforting to know the children are warm especially during the cooler nights, popping a Heattech skivvy on them under their clothing and leggings to keep them warm and ward off the cold. Lock and I both love the Heattech range as well, the fact that it generates heat from your body moisture is just awesome and we are always all very snug.


What are your kids' favourite things about travelling?
“Making new friends and seeing lots of animals” says Riley, 5 years old.
“I love seeing rainbows and being with my family” says Alba, 2 years old.

What destination is next on the horizon?
We are excited to be heading to Tropical North Queensland for the winter months before our trip over to New Zealand.

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