This edition of Mutual’s Muses features Amos Roberts - Journalist, producer and documentarian - and not to mention, partner to Mutual Muse founder, Kirsta! Amos delves into his role with ABC, his relationship with fashion and his love of Japanese brands!
Read on to get to know Amos a lil better.
MM: Hi Amos! Tell us a little about what you do and how you ended up working in journalism/documentary filmmaking.
AR: For the past few years I've been producing current affairs documentaries at the ABC - mostly Australian Story and Four Corners. Before that I spent many years filming and reporting around the world as a correspondent for Dateline on SBS. I joined the ABC as a cadet producer way back in 1993.
MM: You’ve spent a lot of your career telling other people’s stories. What is it about the documentary medium that keeps you interested?
AR: The fact that I can have adventures, express myself creatively, and do something that feels important - I'm incredibly fortunate to have work that's both meaningful and fun.
MM: You’re a producer on Australian Story, which I bet exposes you to some pretty intense and unpredictable environments. What’s one story that’s stuck with you that you’d like to share?
AR: My most intense and unpredictable experiences were mostly at Dateline - I was arrested and attacked by a mob during the Egyptian Revolution, and my laptop and camera were confiscated by the KGB in Belarus. Kirsta's glad I don't do those kinds of trips anymore - she'd be very happy if I worked for Back Roads!
MM: You have a pretty considered approach to how you dress. Has fashion always been something you’ve been interested in, or has that developed over time?
AR: It developed - blossomed, really - after I met Kirsta.
MM: Tell us a little about your relationship with secondhand fashion, and share any tips on how to source the best secondhand menswear.
AR: I'm a fashion nepo spouse! I'm incredibly lucky because I don't have to do much at all... Sometimes Kirsta brings clothes home for me from the stores, or I snaffle them from the boxes that arrive on our doorstep from Europe and Japan, or I raid her wardrobe (that's where I got my Kapital jumper and Home Core sweatshirt, and my first Comme sweater, although she's reappropriated that). My best secondhand tips come from Kirsta - shop online at Buyee for niche Japanese brands, and go crazy when you're lucky enough to be holidaying in Milan or LA.
MM: When you’re not working, what does a casual day in Melbourne look like for you?
AR: Preparing elaborate meals from scratch & fretting over all the other things I should be doing.
MM: Working in TV and documentary means you’re often travelling, filming and meeting people all over Australia. How does that influence the way you dress at work?
AR: It depends on what I'm doing - whether I'm in the bush, or in Parliament, or at a gallery opening. I don't usually wear anything too flamboyant at work because I don't want to draw attention to myself, and I always make sure I can strip down if I'm getting sweaty.
MM: What’s been your greatest secondhand find?
AR: A boxy, striped Issey Miyake blazer I found in LA, which fits like a glove, and goes with everything.
MM: And finally, who or what in your community is inspiring your work right now? AR: Right now it's singer / comedian Reuben Kaye - I'm talking to him this afternoon about appearing on Australian Story, so watch this space!
Stay tuned for our next conversation coming up soon. Do you have someone you think we should sit down with? Let us know!
xx MM