Sydney’s top 25 socialities and their post-Covid lockdown party plans

They dress to the nines, know how to work a room and always get an invite to the city’s best events. Meet Sydney’s most wanted socialites.

There are rules to being a Sydney socialite – holding a coveted spot on the merry-go-round of premieres, product launches and gossip pages.

“Guests should always be gracious to their hosts and respectful to clients and sponsors, staying silent during speeches and saying thankyou for having me,” declared guru Tiffany Farrington, who started PR bible Social Diary in 2004 said.

“In all my years of throwing events, the guests that always made it onto the list are people who ‘bring something to the party’ in the way of their energy, sparkle, style and conversation … old fashioned manners never go out of style.”

Covid has seen the social scene put on life support, but as the city’s biggest names prepare for what‘s sure to be a lot of bubbles and plenty of gossip after lockdown, we separate the most wanted from the wannabes.

The Daily Telegraph has gone through the crop of Sydney’s most notable faces to pull together our top 25 socialites- and by socialite, we mean anywhere from those that go to the opening of an envelope to the names most sought after on a guest list.

(Sydney’s social scene) is more laid back, and less people adhere to a dress code than Melbournites, it’s not as ‘high society’ as New York or London but it’s always been dazzlingly fun,” Ms Farrington said

Justin Hemmes. Picture: Darren Leigh Roberts

Karl Stefanovic and Jasmine Stefanovic. Picture: Getty Images

“I really hope it bounces back to how it once was in a post-Covid world.”

Charles and Christa Billich, husband and wife, artist and gallery manager are longtime veterans of Sydney’s party scene who are determined to host the city‘s very first post-Delta soiree.

“We’re already planning the party for when Covid is over, it is going to be magnificent,” Ms Billich said.

“Even if it’s five people, ten, the minute we can open up the gallery, we’ll be hosting one.”

The art world power couple told The Daily Telegraph the secret to a good shindig was a variety of company and a pumping playlist.

Roxy Jacenko. Picture: Instagram

Designer Pip Edwards. Picture: John Appleyard

Karim Gharbi, director of The VIP Sydney. Picture: Supplied by Channel 10.

Terry Biviano, her husband, ex-footballer Anthony Minichiello and their daughter Azura. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Rey Vakili, who is the sister in law of bookmaker Tom Waterhouse.

Tom Waterhouse and wife Hoda Vakili.

“It’s good music that always brings people into the mood, and a mixed group of people,” Ms Billich said.

“You can’t just have people from the same industry, they’ll keep talking shop, if you have a couple of people from all around, a few naughty people even, you make it worthwhile, people participate in conversation.”

Respected PR guru Roxy Jacenko is a woman of many hats who frequents just as many social events on the Sydney scene, Covid permitting.

Nadia Fairfax.

Francesca Packer Barham. Picture: Aaron Francis/The Australian

But when it comes to a good get together once the pandemic dies down, Jacenko told the Telegraph she was purely there to get down to business.

“Any event attendance is based on the networking opportunity to grow my various companies more so the champagne and canapes,” Jacenko quipped.

Another name who‘ll be on every guest list once the party invites resume is luxury travel operator Karim Gharbi, who has made a name for himself among Sydney’s top circles.

Mr Gharbi said while Covid had transformed the Sydney scene, being well connected was key to scoring top invites.

“You get status by being fabulous, or wealth, or powerful,” Mr Gharbi said.

“Some have it all, some only get one … I used to want to score top invitations, now they score me. I’ve been lucky to have influential friends but I also worked hard to earn my spot.”

Originally published as Sydney’s top 25 socialities and their post-Covid lockdown party plans