We chatted to the entertainment icon, fashion designer, ModelCo ambassador, and mum to Ethan, at a sizzling shoot on tropical Hayman Island.

How's everything going with your fashion label, Project D?
"It's going well, though [this industry] is not for the faint-hearted. At the moment it's pure passion: we pour so much time and effort into it. But it's our baby, it's growing and it's about nurturing that."

Where do you and Tabitha [Somerset-Webb, the co-founder of the label] find inspiration for the designs?
"We don't like to be trendy; [rather] we're inspired by vintage shapes. I'm obsessed with Sophia Loren, Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor. I look back at the dresses they wore in their heyday: the cuts of those dresses still look great today."

What's the fashion item you couldn't live without?
"A good bra, Spanx, and super-vertiginous heels! I can't live without them. I need height! But, if I'm running Ethan to crèche, I have to adopt flat shoes. He's getting so big and heavy now – I can't lift him with heels on!"

With so much on your plate, how do you relax?
"I love cooking. I've gone overboard with cookbooks. My favourites right now are Jamie Oliver's and Gwyneth Paltrow's. Everything I've tried from them turns out perfectly, and it's healthy and tasty. Sophie Dahl also has a great cookbook, From Season To Season. I collect recipes and a lot of my close friends love cooking so we share that. We get overly excited [about new recipes] and call each other up."

Would you consider returning to your music career?
"There is an inner desire to do some more tracks, but I have to weigh up how much I can do. Project D takes up the most time, and then I've also got Australia's Got Talent. And, I don't want to miss out on these first gorgeous years with Ethan where he's learning so much. So, I don't know, it's still a question mark!"

Pick up the July issue of InStyle – on stands right now! – to see our complete fashion shoot with Dannii Minogue and read our intimate interview with the gorgeous star.

By Chris Urankar
Photographed by Steven Chee
Styled by Pip Cook