Exclusive: Renee Bargh Announced As David Jones’ Newest Friend Of The Brand

Words by Ellie Wiseman | Photography by Amy Hibbard

Juggling a toddler, a TV role and a second pregnancy, Renee Bargh is showing no sign of slowing down. The two-time Emmy award-winning entertainment reporter, who has recently interviewed stars like Dua Lipa and Katy Perry, is thrilled to announce she is the newest ambassador for iconic retailer David Jones.

“It honestly feels like an honour and a dream come true to be aligned with David Jones,” Renee tells THE INARRA. “It’s a wild time to be taking on new roles as I’m about to expand my family, but they’ve been so supportive and accommodating and welcomed me with open arms, so it’s felt right from the get-go.”

Mother to Tide, 1, and six months pregnant with a baby girl, Renee’s ambassadorship appointment signals a welcomed shift in how women and mothers are represented in the workplace and in media. It’s a reminder to women that they can be mothers, have careers and care about fashion simultaneously.

“Raising children while trying to work and juggle your career is no small feat and I think all women can appreciate this and understand that it comes with huge sacrifices,” says Renee. “It can be a really difficult time for us physically with the transitions our bodies go through and often we can feel overlooked and anxious when it comes to fashion.

“To have a company like David Jones who sees and supports me during this time means the world. I think we often worry that we won’t have the same opportunities when we’re pregnant and can feel like a bit of a burden, so to have an employer that embraces and celebrates this time, who sees it as a strength, not a weakness, is so important.”

As an ambassador, Renee will be the face of campaigns, bump and all. She hopes that through her partnership she can help women “see how beautiful they are during pregnancy and postpartum and know that they can embrace this chapter of their lives even at times it feels daunting.

“I feel that pregnant women and postpartum women aren’t represented enough in fashion and beauty which is something I wasn’t really aware of before.

“I really hope to inspire women to embrace their new bodies and celebrate the incredible journey our bodies go through to bring life into this world. We can still have fun dressing (sometimes even more so) when pregnant and postpartum. We should still feel desirable and be bold in different ways.”

David Jones is the home to Renee’s favourite brands, including CAMILLA AND MARC, Alias Mae (“the most comfortable, stylish shoes”), Bassike, SIR (“perfect for pregnancy dressing, especially elevated looks for events”), Christopher Esber, Anine Bing, Nagnata (“the best day-to-day and great stretch for the bump”), Viktoria and Woods, Scanlan Theodore, and Bec + Bridge.

Balancing her job as an entertainment reporter on The Today Show with motherhood (and being pregnant with her second child) means Renee is busy, and when it comes to fashion, she cares less about trends and fitting into a mould.

“It’s about being comfortable and leaning into my own personal style,” she says. “It’s all about low-maintenance style and beauty for me now.

“I’m always finding inspiration online, mostly on Instagram and on sites like THE INARRA. I think the key is to have a capsule wardrobe of staple pieces that are comfortable and versatile and will work for pregnancy and beyond. 

“Investing in classic pieces that make you feel good and that aren’t too trendy and adding the right accessories can keep a look current and elevated when needed.”

When it comes to staying comfy but camera-ready during her pregnancy, Renee often opts for chunky slides or slippers.

“Comfort is so important as a busy mum but you still want to look like you’ve got your shit together even if you don’t. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut of wearing activewear (which is totally fine) or wearing the same old thing daily out of habit, but there’s such a big difference to how you feel when you put that little bit more effort or have some things that make you feel like yourself.

“I’ve found since my last pregnancy I can no longer handle heels the way I used to, so comfortable flats or sneakers are key. If I am going to wear a heel I’ll choose a stacked heel or small kitten heel and there are loads of beautiful options these days, especially from Alias Mae. 

“In terms of clothing, I like to wear dresses with a lot of stretch and coverage to accentuate the bump as I find that more flattering.

“I love that sneakers, sandals and elevated activewear such as Nagnata can be paired with more dressed up pieces so we can still feel stylish as busy mums running around covered in our kids’ food and vomit.”

Her advice to other mothers-to-be looking to feel empowered in their fashion choices is to “embrace your body and your beautiful bump and lean into this season.

“It truly is magical and you should feel as powerful as you are. Even if you don’t feel it or like what you see, trust me you’ll look back with wonder. Have fun with it! See your bump as the most beautiful accessory you can have and invest in a few key pieces that will work for postpartum, breastfeeding and beyond.”

Style lessons aside, motherhood has taught Renee to look at life through a new lens.

“Motherhood is the most humbling thing; it can bring you to your knees. The unconditional love, the devotion, the vulnerability you feel. It’s honestly given me a whole new perspective and made me realise what’s truly important. 

“I don’t make any decisions without considering Tide or how something will impact our family. It makes you realise what’s truly important and not sweat the small stuff. 

“I think what surprised me the most is how the women before me managed to look like they had it all together. I’m in awe of how women manage to take on so much, the mental load, the juggle, and still find time for themselves. I’m still working on finding that balance and filling my cup too but rarely do I feel like I’ve got it all figured out.”

Renee knows that self-care is a priority, but admits it’s harder to find the time for herself now she’s a mother. 

“I try to get to a Pilates class, go for a swim in the ocean, or meditate when I can. Treating myself to a prenatal massage or acupuncture feels very luxurious these days and doesn’t happen often but I treasure it when it does.

“I find a warm bath with Epsom salts followed by a foot massage by my partner (a perk of pregnancy) to be the most rejuvenating ritual. When you’re a busy mother, self-care can be as simple as an uninterrupted shower or bath!”

Renee seems to have her ducks in a row, but “in no way have I figured it all out,” she says. “But in being vulnerable and honest about my experiences, I hope other mothers feel seen and validated and also feel inspired to be brave, bold and know their power. 

“We are constantly told we can have it all but it seems to come at the cost of ourselves. My hope is that women lean into this season and say ‘yes’ to what feels good and right for them and their families, block out the noise and know their worth and value in society.”

To shop David Jones visit their website or Instagram.

Created in partnership with David Jones.