Brisbane influencer secures exemption for NYC shoot
Brisbane model and influencer Bree McCann has been sharing gorgeous Instagram posts from across the globe - begging the question, how did she secure a Government exemption to travel?
U on Sunday
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We’ve been living vicariously through Bree McCann’s Instagram posts this week.
The Noosa-based model and swimwear designer scored a government exemption to travel to the US for work, and has been sharing stunning snaps from locations including Turks & Caicos and Montauk, New York.
“There was so much work behind the scenes to make this trip possible and I’m really grateful that it was able to go ahead,” McCann, who launched her size inclusive swimwear label - Code B - late last year, says.
“The fashion industry was crippled by the pandemic and now that I’m seeing work start to pick up overseas again, it gives me hope that the industry will start to recover in Australia too.”
McCann expects she’ll be back home in a month and will hotel quarantine upon her return. She says getting an exemption wasn’t without its challenges.
“I was based in New York for 5 years so I still have a lot of US clients and international work. I am working with multiple clients who all worked with my New York agents to get me here but it definitely wasn’t an easy process,’’ she says.
According to the ABF anyone applying to leave Australian territory must have a “compelling reason” to do so, based on six criteria - compassionate grounds, work in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, essential work for critical industries, urgent medical treatment, urgent and unavoidable personal business, or matters in the national interest.
The department received more than 104,000 requests between March and mid-August and granted about 34,300 exemptions.
McCann was granted an exemption by the Australian Border Force to work internationally for one month before she will return to quarantine in Queensland.
While they couldn’t comment on why McCann’s modelling work warranted an exemption, an ABF spokesman said “each case is unique and is considered on its own merit based on the information provided in the application, and supporting evidence must be provided”.
“These travel restrictions have been successful in slowing the spread of coronavirus in Australia, and were implemented on the advice of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC),” they said.
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SPORTING A CHANGE
Sportsgirl’s website may say they’re looking forward to “seeing your faces” but not if you’re a shopper in Brisbane’s CBD. The 72-year-old brand, a subsidiary of the Sussan Group, is the second iconic retailer to leave the Queen Street Mall in as many months after Country Road vacated the iconic National Australia Bank building in late July. When we approached Sportsgirl for comment, they remained tight-lipped about the future of their Queensland stores. “Sportsgirl are not commenting on any plans whilst Victoria is in lockdown,” a spokesperson said.
SUNNY SPOT
The forecast is looking decidedly sunny for weatherman Josh Holt who has emerged from the slew of recent redundancies at 10 News First’s Brisbane newsroom with a plum national role that will see him relocate back to his hometown of Sydney. Holt has been tapped to present the weather for Brisbane, Sydney and Perth for those regions’ new 90-minute 5pm bulletins hosted by Sandra Sully and Matt Burke out of Ten’s Sydney studios. Stepping into the shoes of long time Channel 10 personality and Sydney weatherman Tim Bailey, Holt is looking forward to the new gig saying, “I’m extremely honoured and excited to be offered this amazing opportunity”. After a seven-year stint in Brisbane, it won’t be the beautiful weather that Holt will miss most but a person very close to his heart “I’m quite sad about leaving my grandmother who lives here. She’s my most honest critic!” Holt who proposed to medical sales specialist Skye Davis in July, the day after his 40th birthday, says his fiancée is also looking forward to the Sydney move. The couple has yet to set a wedding date but is keen to return to Queensland for it, with tropical Port Douglas firming up as first choice destination. The new bulletin debuts tomorrow with Holt presenting the weather from the Brisbane studio whilst arrangements are made for the relocation.
MODEL NEWS
Brisbane author, speaker and model Lisa Cox will be modelling as part of New York Fashion Week this week - from Brisbane. “I’m modelling for Mindy Scheier, a US designer and fellow disability activist. She has been working with the fashion industry over there and has achieved incredible things around visibility for disability,” Cox said. “Video footage of me was shot and sent over a couple of weeks ago and it will be edited with footage of other models. I’m aware that I don’t fit the typical model’s body type but this is about challenging people’s perceptions of what life with disabilities looks like.’’ Cox hopes that her inclusion in NYFW will encourage Australia’s fashion weeks to include disabled models.
GET JET SET!
It’s the charity raffle prize that’s got everyone salivating. Who wouldn’t love to be flown by private jet with five besties for a 3-day odyssey of fine food and wine in Mudgee, one of Oz’s most beautiful wine regions? Thanks to major sponsor Adagold Aviation, the annual Dancing CEOs charity event is offering a chance at the ultimate VIP jet set experience valued at $35,000 for just $50 a ticket that goes to Women’s Legal Service to help break the cycle of domestic violence. Brisbane business identity and jetsetter Lorilie Cunningham, who’ll be donning her dancing shoes for the 2021 event on May 15, jumped on board one of Adagold’s jets for a glam photo shoot that has had people scrambling for their credit cards to enter the raffle that closes on January 27. Details at dancingceos.com.au
Event of the Week
Designer Q Fashion Festival, Brisbane Showgrounds
Fashionistas were in their element as they arrived for the Designer Q Fashion Festival, Brisbane’s first red carpet fashion event since the COVID-19 crisis began. In a departure from the usual elbows-to-elbows runway seating, guests had plenty of personal space with the socially distanced set-up. Hosted by Pearly Sprinkles and Mikaela Phillips, collections from 16 design labels were showcased including ranges from established designers Niki Teljega, Kortni Portia, Tracy Poblano and Kynobis. Emerging labels such as Alyssia The Label, Caren Lee and Tiko Swim also hit the catwalk.
Pictures: Chi Yeung (Momento Road)
Look of the Week
Event: Brisbane Festival opening event
Name: Marisa Vecchio
Suburb: East Brisbane
Occupation: Owner - Hanworth House
Dress: St Frock-Something for Sarah
Belt: House of Haute
Shoes: Wittner
Earrings: Christie Nicolaides
Bracelet: Canturi Cubism
Handbag: Kate Spade Pop Fizz Clink
Style Icon: Lily Pulitzer and Lorilie Cunningham
Picture: Atmosphere Photography
