Julie Bishop poses for striking Vogue cover as she admits she wants a hug

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Julie Bishop appears in the August issue of Vogue Australia
The Foreign Minister wears her own Giorgio Armani and Balenciaga outfit
She talks fashion, career milestones and sharing a hug with loved ones

By Lauren Grounsell For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 00:35 EST, 13 July 2015 | Updated: 04:23 EST, 13 July 2015

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She is known for her prowess in politics, but parliament is where the tough-love ends for Australia's first female foreign minister.

Julie Bishop has shown a softer side to her tough-talking facade as she shared her need for emotional support and, like the rest of us, a good hug.

'We all need people around to provide support and a hug and tell you things are okay, and I'm no different from everybody else in that regard, and family is obviously very important,' Ms Bishop told Vogue Australia.

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'I'm no different from everybody else': Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop poses wearing Giorgio Armani and Balenciaga in a portrait for Vogue Australia

Wonder women: The interview appears inside the latest issue of Vogue, with Victoria Beckham on the cover

The sweet sentiment is juxtaposed to Ms Bishop's working life, where she has earned herself a reputation for playing hard ball.

With her country's best interests sitting firmly in the forefront of her decision making, her designer-clad feet barely touch the ground as the jets across the globe discussing international policies with foreign dignitaries.

When you consider her position is one of only two women in Prime Minister Tony Abbott's cabinet, it appears like a tough gig.

But if the news that she enjoys a cuddle at home surprised you, the fact that she has taken working in a male-dominated cabinet in her stride should not.

Dressed in her own Giorgio Armani suit, Balenciaga blouse and Kailis pearl earrings, Ms Bishop is a vision of female empowerment.

But as she told the magazine, her gender does not play a role in how she does her job.

Julie Bishop takes top spot in Most Powerful Women list (related)

Talking tough: Julie Bishop, pictured on Friday, is Australia's first female foreign minister

Ms Bishop was pictured at Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting in Sydney last week

'As I often say, I've never been a man in this position, how do I compare?,' she said.

We all need people around to provide support and hug

'I see myself as a parliamentarian and a minister, I have a job to do and I put all that I have into doing it, so being a woman doesn't play a role in that.

'But I'm proud of the fact that I'm the first female foreign minister.'

Vogue editor-in-chief Edwina McCann wrote in her editor's letter that she admire's Ms Bishop's attention to detail.

'We met last year in my capacity as chair of the Australian Fashion Chamber. I was instantly taken with her fierce intelligence, and her fashion literacy,' Ms McCann wrote.

Ms Bishop handed out gifts to delegates during the meeting

'Next month she celebrates two years of formidable presence on the world stage as our foreign minister. It is incredible that she finds the time to be across all her responsibilities and fashion, too.'

Ms Bishop said her 'very good, very professional' relationship with Mr Abbott was one of friendship.

'We've worked as a team or part of a team for a very long time,' she told Vogue Australia.

'We text often. We'll speak when there's an issue, I'm travelling a lot, or we'll have leadership meetings, national security meetings.'

The foreign minister and her partner David Panton arriving at the National Press Club to listen to treasurer Joe Hockey's post budget address

Julie Bishop and partner David Panton pose at the great hall at Parliament House in Canberra

Julie Bishop with David Panton at the Melbourne Cup

Ms Bishop's work has shown her the darker side of humanity.

In the magazine she talks about the extreme challenges she has faced through her professional career, including an increased number of Australian youths being radicalised by groups such as ISIS.

'I cannot perceive why a young person would want to leave the opportunities that Australia presents, the security and the relative prosperity that this country offers, to take up with a terrorist organisation that lauds its medieval and barbaric practices of beheadings and crucifixion, rape, mass murder — it's terrifying,' she said.