Rival TV channel presenters strut the catwalk together in Brisbane

Rival newsreaders Melissa Downes and Sharyn Ghidella will strut the catwalk together at the launch of the new ICON fashion series in the courtyard of the Treasury Hotel tonight

Channel Seven’s Sharyn Ghidella.

THEY compete ferociously for viewers during their rival evening news broadcasts in Brisbane.

So it’s not often that Channel 9’s Melissa Downes and Channel 7’s Sharyn Ghidella rub shoulders in any official capacity.

That will change tonight for what we understand is the first time.

Despite efforts to keep a lid on it, City Beat has learned that the pair will strut the catwalk together at the launch of the new ICON fashion series in the courtyard of the Treasury Hotel.

Clad in “user-glamorous gowns’’ custom-made for them by leading Brisbane haute couture designer Paul Hunt, their appearance will be the grand finale of the sold-out event expected to attract a 200-strong crowd.

They are among nine well-known identities who have agreed to show off the top-shelf threads and some Tiffany & Co bling while walking out on stage with the designers who came up with the inspired outfits.

Channel Nine's Melissa Downes.

Joining Downes and Ghidella in the flash gear will be the likes of Broncos legend Sam Thaiday and his Nova radio personality missus, Rachel.

Model Erin Holland, the former Miss World Australia, will be up there, as will Olympic swimming champs Mitch Larkin and Emily Seebohm.

Fashion doyenne Deborah Quinn, media identity Sofie Formica and styling guru Nikki Parkinson are also set to get dressed to the nines. Dressing up this gang are some of the best in the business, including Mark Ferguson, George Wu, Sam Abi, Alex Parker-Wilkin, Gail Sorronda, Tracey Watkins and Chelsea De Luca.

FASHION HUNGER

HOSTING the festivities will be none other than Damien Anthony Rossi, the perpetually bubbly media identity who has taken on the clearly enjoyable role of the Star Entertainment Group’s first “ambassador’’ in Queensland. He’s produced tonight’s show in tandem with noted fashionista Kellie Alderman. It’s the first in a series which will be held every three months.

Rossi’s brief when he took the ambassador’s job was to inject a bit of glamour and razzmatazz into Treasury events as Star gets its gargantuan $3 billion Queen’s Wharf project under way.

“There’s obviously a hunger for high-end fashion events as the event has sold out,’’ Rossi told your diarist.

“This was one of my missions as their ambassador, to bring fashion back to Treasury.’’

Indeed, Rossi said that for many years it was known for its high-end glamorous fashion events, which used to draw the likes of designers such as Alex Perry, Akira Isogawa, Trelise Cooper and Camilla Franks.

As you would expect, there are plenty of notable locals planning to show up tonight and quaff some champers from event sponsor Moët & Chandon and nibble on some tasty canapés.

Among those on the guest list are hairdressing titan Stefan Ackerie and his better half, Rose King, Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival boss Lindsay Bennett, Bachelor in Paradise’s Nina Rolleston and fashion illustrator Kerrie Hess. Other fashionistas expected to rock up are Brisbane hats queen Dale Olsson, artist Dr Louise Owen, Issada Cosmetics chief Fiona Neale and Vivien’s Models boss Georgia Barclay.

There are even two Real Housewives of Melbourne players flying up for the gig, Susie McLean and Janet Roach, the partner of Chemist Warehouse boss Sam Gance.

You can expect most or all of these folks to crowd in to Ryan’s on the Park later for the Moet-themed after-party, which is sure to kick on until the wee hours.

GLOWING SOCKS

MALCOLM TURNBULL stayed relentlessly on-message yesterday during a Queensland Media Club luncheon in Brisbane.

Taking it all in were a raft of current and former LNP luminaries, as well as Adani and New Hope players who braved the protesters outside. Oddly enough, City Beat spies report the orange, red and blue socks worn by moderator Mark Ludlow seemed to glow. One snide attendee even quipped that it looked like a lorikeet had flown into his leg.