The A-List: 25 of Brisbane’s most fabulous and successful women
From rich listers to hospitality moguls, sports stars, fashionistas, flamboyant real estate agents and influencers, here are 25 of Brisbane’s most fabulous and successful A-list women.
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Scoring an invitation to an A-list event isn’t easy. You have to earn your stripes and bring some sass, style and sophistication.
These 25 women are making their mark on the Brisbane social scene.
Some are successful business operators, others excel in competitive sporting fields, but what unites them is their love of a swish soiree - and always, dressing to impress.
CATHIE REID
A VIP at the city’s most glamorous gatherings, billionaire Cathie Reid is a powerhouse in fields including healthcare, sport, tech, philanthropy and fashion.
She co-founded cancer care provider Icon Group with husband Stuart Giles in 2012, and a decade later when the pair bowed out it was valued at $2.4bn. Cathie is chair of ASX-listed AUCloud, a director of the Brisbane Lions and a future astronaut with Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic.
A lover of haute couture, she has personal fittings in Paris’s finest houses and in 2019 was made a Member of the Order of Australia for services to healthcare and philanthropy. In 2020 she and Giles established Arc31, their family office incorporating children Sascha and Sam, to manage their investments.
NINA SCHRINNER
Always stylish and an excellent public speaker, Nina Schrinner – aka Brisbane’s Lady Mayoress – brings a touch of class to every occasion, and she’s one busy woman.
Nina attends functions almost daily, supporting local charities and businesses to help grow Brisbane as a world city.
Husband Adrian Schrinner’s closest confidante, Nina also heads the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust, which has been caring for the community since the 1950s. Through grants, connections and fundraising, the trust makes a tangible difference in the lives of the city’s most vulnerable residents.
INGRID RICHARDS
When it comes to Brisbane’s coolest haunts, architect Ingrid Richards is an integral part. With partner Adrian Spence, Ingrid continues to shape the city with her distinct and forward-thinking designs.
Think the Calile Hotel (which took 12th place in this year’s World’s 50 Best Hotels awards in London), Fish Lane town centre and hip restaurants Hellenika, Same Same, SK Steak & Oyster, Sushi Room and Bianca. All have the Richards & Spence, as does their own multimillion-dollar home in Bowen Hills overlooking Gasworks.
ARIARNE TITMUS
This world-record holding swimming sensation is only 23 but already wielding influence beyond the pool. As a public speaker, Ariarne impressed the audience at the Future Brisbane summit organised by The Courier-Mail in November.
One of the city’s finest ambassadors, Ariarne – awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2022 – will take on her US rival Katie Ledecky in the 400m freestyle race at the Paris Olympics next year. Expect to see a lot more of her on the social scene, alongside her executive recruitment consultant mum Robyn.
MARY-JEANNE HUTCHINSON
Adding a touch of elegance to A-lister events, Mary-Jeanne Hutchinson is embedded in the hospitality scene as a director of Craggy Range winery.
Brisbane-based Mary-Jeanne is a huge supporter of charity events and her family’s internationally award-winning wines can be found in the best restaurants.
The New Zealand winery started by her American-born father Terry Peabody, who made his fortune in waste management, will remain in the family forever thanks to a 1000-year trust. Mary-Jeanne’s son Jack was last year appointed a director of the construction powerhouse Hutchinson Builders.
HEIDI MIDDLETON
Flying under the radar compared to her heady days as one-half of fashion label Sass & Bide, Heidi Middleton is a familiar face in Brisbane following her marriage in late 2021 to property mogul Michael Malouf.
He and brother Cal are the brains behind the globally recognised Calile Hotel in James Street, building on their extensive real estate portfolio in the trendy Fortitude Valley precinct.
Heidi’s latest pursuit is ArtClub, a slow-fashion and art hub, and in 2019 she was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for her fashion industry and charity work.
CAROLE HADDAD
To bring the sass to an event, invite Carole Haddad. The celebrity hairdresser has an endless contact book, having styled the locks of US star Pamela Anderson, TV personalities Gretel Killeen and Sandra Sully and current Health Minister Shannon Fentiman.
Carole is regularly the hairstylist of choice for designer Camilla Franks and recently made her reality TV debut on the 2023 season of My Mum Your Dad.
In January, she shattered both wrists after falling down the stairs of her West End salon, Corcorz, but fought back to return to doing what she loves.
SARAH HACKETT
Not only is Sarah Hackett Queensland’s most successful female real estate, she has a wardrobe to match.
Sarah is at the top of any guest list for the likes of Gucci and Chanel, but her influence is most keenly felt in her connections through property where she sells to the wealthiest families.
Managing director of Place New Farm, she holds the record for the highest price per square metre sold in Brisbane.
She is also a financial supporter of prestigious schools including Churchie, Terrace and Somerville House.
Sarah was invited to take part in the now-shelved Real Housewives of Brisbane reality TV show but declined.
ALISON KUBLER
Married to renowned hyperrealist artist Michael Zavros, Alison Kubler is deeply ensconced in the art and culture scene in her own right.
A member of the National Gallery of Australia Council since 2018, she is director of Renshaw & Kubler, collaborating with artists across many genres.
Alison is editor of Vault magazine and a sought-after curator, presently consulting on public art for the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane development.
When it comes to power couples in the arts, Alison and Michael are hard to beat.
NICKY CHARMAN
Dressing some of Brisbane’s best-known women for 13 years, and always making a style statement herself, Nicky Charman owns the high-end Calexico boutique.
When she’s not travelling the globe buying glamorous labels including Jimmy Choo, she’s attending – or throwing – some of the best events and securing dinner reservations on James Street for her clients.
Nicky also owns Calexico Man, in the sweet spot between the Calilie Hotel and SK Steak & Oyster.
It’s no surprise her husband Jamie Charman, an ex-AFL player turned top real estate broker, is one of the town’s best-dressed dudes.
DANIELLE HARRIS
Leveraging her connections in the luxury car, racing, property and fashion circles, Danielle Harris is a quiet achiever. Prioritising charity work as a behind the scenes operator, she is a board trustee of the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust and director of her own marketing agency Blaq, whose clients include Bond University, Qualia, Camilla, Carla Zampatti and Harris Racing.
The link with Harris Racing comes via her marriage to Craig Harris, whose Harro Group develops commercial property.
Danielle is the daughter of fashion icon Di Cant and the late luxury car dealer John Cant.
MICHAELA COOK
Not everyone has their wedding covered by The New York Times, but singer-songwriter Michaela Cook’s was something extra special.
Michaela, who lives in Newstead, tied the knot beside her father’s hospital bed just hours before he passed away.
But that didn’t deter her from going ahead with the planned lavish ceremony two weeks later at partner Jake Moyle’s old school Brisbane Grammar. Micks, as she’s widely known, is hugely popular on social media and regularly attends foodie events around town.
SAMANTHA OGILVIE
Running her namesake boutique since 2007 in James Street, Samantha Ogilvie has a loyal clientele comprising the who’s who of Brisbane.
Sam is extremely well-connected in both the fashion and property worlds. Husband Mitchell Ogilvie runs his eponymous boutique in Edward Street and owns a healthy slice of prime CBD real estate.
Sam also owns luxury shoe and accessories emporium Maryon’s and her personal style is one of understated elegance.
GRACE HAYDEN
A TV horseracing reporter and a popular model, Grace Hayden has strong connections in the cricketing world too.
Not only is she the daughter of Queensland cricket legend Matt Hayden, she is a rising star in India where she recently provided commentary on the World Cup for the Star Sports network alongside model and cricket WAG Erin Holland. Regularly invited to all kinds of glittering events, Grace is often on the arm of her mother Kellie Hayden.
KERRIE HESS
Feted around the world for her fashion illustrations, Kerrie Hess has collaborated with some of the biggest luxury brands including Cartier, Tiffany and Co and Louis Vuitton.
Creating her own range of original art and prints from her Brisbane studio, Kerrie has authored a book called Joy in the Little Things, and runs watercolour classes for all ages.
Her influence extends beyond her own business to being a sought-after guest, if not artist in residence, at glamorous events around town.
DIANNE CANT
The original fashion influencer, Di Cant has been in the industry – developing young models, hosting parades and dressing impeccably herself – since the 1960s.
The former model has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for cancer research and children’s causes.
And if there’s a new fashion label in town and Di gives it the stamp of approval, it’s slated for success. Di is a VIP at prestige events and in 2022 was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the fashion industry and community.
GEORGIA BARCLAY
As Queensland manager of Vivien’s Models, Georgia Barclay always has an eye on the next big thing, networking at events to find the “right face” for her clients.
The Brisbane office has 150 models in its books, also placing them in global fashion hubs such as New York, Paris, Milan and London. Attending up to three functions a week in addition to her regular working day, Georgia collaborates with up-and-coming brands and e-commerce businesses to drive their success.
KRISTINA GAMBARO
Bringing a big smile to every event she attends – or hosts as the wife of restaurateur John Gambaro – Kristina is a conduit for fine gatherings of some of Brisbane’s most influential women.
Regularly entertaining at her family’s Gambaro Seafood, Black Hide Steakhouse or Persone, she is also the leading lady of the annual Gambaro Ball which welcomes rich-listers, politicians, sports stars and celebrities.
JODIE BACHE-MCLEAN
Of the many career highlights of Jodie Bache-McLean is helping discover supermodel Miranda Kerr.
As the managing director of June Dally-Watkins Education and Training, she has learnt from the best, as understudy of the late Miss Dally for 34 years.
Jodie also does a podcast on etiquette, called What Would June Dally-Watkins Do?
Guests have included Nina Schrinner, Grace Hayden and radio announcer Margaux Parker.
As well as offering modelling courses, her company goes into Queensland schools, educating on modern manners.
SARAH MAGUSARA
With almost 18 million followers and 1.2 billion likes on TikTok, Sarah Magusara is one of Australia’s most influential digital content creators.
The young mother of two shares videos of herself dancing, working out and modelling her fashion hauls across multiple online platforms.
The 22-year-old’s net worth is quoted as anywhere from $1.5-$5 million.
MARISA VECCHIO
Known for her passions for philanthropy, ballet and fashion, Marisa Vecchio is a regular at some of the most lavish events, and holds many of her own at Hanworth House, which she has restored over many years.
The historic East Brisbane venue is the site for the annual Labels on the Lawn fundraiser for Women’s Legal Service.
Marisa is also a director of her rheumatologist husband Phillip Vecchio’s medical practice. In 2017 she received an Order of Australia for her corporate and philanthropic work and won the fundraising award in Dancing CEOs at City Hall.
LOUISE OWEN
One of the (almost) Real Housewives of Brisbane before plans for the show were shelved this year, Louise Owen is an artist who has turned her hand to couture fashion.
Through her label Elaurante, she has created wearable art and debuted her collection in November in front of an A-list crowd at the Stefan headquarters’ building in South Brisbane. All garments are custom-made, providing an air of exclusivity.
Louise spent three years in the US recently where her art was displayed in Galleria Neiman Marcus in Houston, Texas.
FLEUR MADDEN
Voted “best iconic personality” in the 2023 Women in Fashion Awards at GOMA, Fleur Madden founded her first company, The Red Republic PR agency, at age 23, before selling it 14 years later to a multinational. She now runs Freelancing Gems, a company that finds short-term positions for women wanting flexibility in their working life.
She previously founded online beauty company Lulu and Lipstick, whose makeup brushes graced the gift bags for the 2016 Oscars.
Fleur is another who was tipped to star in the Real Housewives.
MARGOT McKINNEY
While America is Margot McKinney’s biggest market, Brisbane remains important with her Anna Spiro-designed boutique in Ann Street a mecca for lovers of her bold jewellery.
Margot is a long-time sponsor of the G-Day LA event, and along with local identities such as former fashion designer Keri Craig-Lee, others decked out in her statement pieces have included models Dita Von Teese and Nicole Sheridan, actors Rebecca Gibney and Anna McGahan and former politician Julie Bishop.
EMILY SEEBOHM
Four-time Olympian Emily Seebohm has led a very public life, not only as a swimmer but a guest at race days and galas. She’s been quieter on the social scene since the birth of her first child in September. She met fiancé Ryan Gallagher on the set of The Challenge Australia and both have appeared on several reality TV shows.
Emily is on track to compete in the Paris Olympics at the age of 32, telling The Courier-Mail “to do it and have a baby as well, that’s the biggest lesson I could give to my child.
Anything is achievable.”
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