Brisbane fashionista marries in glam COVID wedding
It wasn’t the wedding she originally planned, but this gorgeous fashion designer managed to pull off an ‘uber glamorous and sophisticated’ COVID-friendly event. And she designed her own gorgeous gown. All the gossip and social pics from the week.
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THE SCOOP
COVID COUTURE
It wasn’t the dress - or the ceremony - she planned, but there was no shortage of glamour when fashion designer Lindsay Ridings tied the knot last week.
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Ridings, one of Australia’s most awarded Fashions on the Field competitors, married her beau, Glenn Ellis, at Saint Mary’s Anglican Church in Kangaroo Point followed by an “uber glamorous and sophisticated” reception in the glow of a two-storey chandelier at Queensland Art Gallery.
“COVID changed everything, but we still had the most magical day and our church made live streaming possible and we’re planning another follow-up celebration with our dear ones who couldn’t be there,” she says, adding that it’s a good excuse for another gorgeous outfit.
Speaking of which, it was the bride’s dress with its fitted bodice and full skirt - a homage to Riding’s love of classic Dior silhouettes - that stole the show.
“I had a beautiful dress made but with the COVID restrictions evolving daily we had some very last minute venue and logistics changes and I ended up whipping something up that I could easily twirl through the night in ... and I did!”
The last-minute gown was made from Italian silk brocade with sheer silk organza panelling and backed with Champagne metallic thread. It was paired Jennifer Chamandi bejewelled slingbacks and hand made millinery by Martina McGrath, who used small flowers from Riding’s mother’s veil in a moulded tulle Juliette Headband.
The newlyweds are now honeymooning at Ecolodge Daintree and Hayman Island.
A SPRING (CARNIVAL) IN RACH’S STEP
Given the opportunities this year to throw on a dazzling designer frock, a fabulous fascinator and a head-turning pair of Louboutins have been seriously few and far between, it’s no wonder that Brisbane Racing Club ambassador and one of the city’s most stylish A-listers Rachel Thaiday can’t wait for the Spring Racing Carnival.
The podcaster, influencer and wife of Sam Thaiday is set to shine trackside for the four-week carnival that kicks off on October 10 at Doomben. As always, the fashion action will be a highlight with a new-format announced for the Westfield Chermside Fashions on the Field competition.
Style savvy punters will register for the comp by being photographed upon arrival by street-style snappers with entrants receiving the photos via email to post to their social. From the photos, judges will select finalists who will then have a chance to showcase their outfits to the crowd trackside before winners are announced.
The raceday fashion themes are: Lexus Ladies’ Day (Florals), Cox Plate Day (Embellishment), Moet & Chandon Derby Day (Black and White) and Melbourne Cup Day (Bold Colour). Another carnival highlight is the addition of the trackside Village Green precinct that will feature deejays and roving entertainment with The Aviary marquee the place to see and be seen. More details: brc.com.au
LIGHTS, CAMERA, BUTTERFLY!
She has multiple Olympic medals and has conquered the pool, motherhood and breakfast radio but that didn’t stop Susie O’Neill from getting a case of the nerves for her cinematic acting debut.
The swim icon known as Madame Butterfly hit the silver screen during the week with the release of US film Swimming for Gold shot last year in Brisbane. The light-hearted comedy stars American actor Peyton List as an Olympic swimmer sent on a coaching mission to Oz. The Nova brekky presenter was approached to make a cameo in the film as a swim meet judge.
Although she had no dialogue, O’Neill admitted to being nervous when she rocked up to Chandler’s Sleeman Sports Complex for the shoot but took comfort that swim star Ariarne Titmus was also making her own film debut that day. A legend for her form in the pool, when asked about her acting form, O’Neill said she felt more like “a robot” than a butterfly but loved witnessing the filmmaking process.
EVENT OF THE WEEK
RQAS Biennial Opening Night Gala
Yeronga
Artists and art aficionados alike turned out for the Royal Queensland Art Society’s Biennial Opening Night Gala at Yeronga’s The Paint Factory featuring the annual Queensland Figurative Award and Young Artist Award and celebrating the opening of the exhibition featuring the finalists’ works. Guests including philanthropist Tim Fairfax who opened the event, were able to view the prize-winning artworks and a digital screening of the finalists’ entries while enjoying music from Gillian Love and the Jazz Cats. First prize winners were artists Ryan Daffurn, Brittany Blackie and Chloe Liu. The finalists’ exhibition runs at Brisbane’s Petrie Terrace Gallery until September 27.
More event social snaps at couriermail/damienanthonyrossi
LOOK OF THE WEEK
Event: RQAS Biennial Opening Gala
Name: Lynley Welsh
Suburb: Spring Hill
Occupation: Finance Director
Coat: Zara
Dress: Sheike
Top: Sheike
Shoes: Zara
Handbag: Gucci
Earrings: Gucci
Necklace: Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm
Style Icon: Audrey Hepburn
Picture: Paul Sickling