Emily Seebohm and Luttsy take their love long-distance
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Emily Seebohm is jetting off overseas this weekend - with her relationship turning long-distance as a result. Read all about this week’s best social events and gossip.
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THE SCOOP
The starter gun has been shot and swim star Emily Seebohm is off! She was all set to be at Doomben Racecourse yesterday with partner, Nova brekky presenter David “Luttsy” Lutteral, for the start of the Spring Racing Carnival, But all of a sudden she had to ditch the sunnies and fascinator for goggles and a swim cap when told midweek she was booked on a flight to Budapest departing yesterday morning.
Flying out of Sydney with stopovers in Abu Dhabi and Munich, The Bohm arrives today in the Hungarian capital for the 2020 International Swimming League (ISL) season and will be subject to a mandatory 48-hour hotel quarantine.
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The 28-year-old Olympian returns for her second ISL season and is the only Aussie swimmer in the competition, which is run similarly to cricket’s Big Bash League. Seebohm is a member of the Energy Standard team made up of mostly European swimmers and competing in the backstroke and relay categories.
Before she flew out, The Bohm told A-list she’s thrilled to be competing on the world stage once again, given her last overseas competition was in late 2019. The global pandemic has certainly changed a lot of things in the world and that’s no different for Seebohm.
“If you’d asked me (about my future in swimming) when the pandemic first started, I would have said that I was planning to retire after the Tokyo Olympics. I was a little lost,’’ she says.
“This year has (ended up) giving me a good chance to really improve myself and my swimming…and to have some time out and enjoy it.”
Seebohm will start the new year focused on training for the June trials for Tokyo 2021 and said that her quieter year “also gave me an insight into what I want after swimming which is to use my voice in a positive way”.
By this she means through opportunities in the media industry. She’s planning to pen a book on her life and experiences on the Australian and international swimming circuit.
A style influencer with nearly 44,000 Instagram followers, Seebohm says one of the things about returning to Europe she’s most looking forward to is wearing winter fashion.
“Mossman had a big sale on their winter collection recently and I bought heaps including some gorgeous coats that will be perfect for Budapest’s cold weather,’’ she says.
Scheduled to be in Hungary for the ISL season for at least two months, how does Seebohm (who shares her Hendra home with Luttsy) feel she’ll cope being away from him?
“I’m hoping for good Wi-Fi over there so we can Facetime as much as we can…but it’s going to feel weird not seeing him every day,’’ she says.
Queensland swimwear label Une Piece this week dropped a teaser of their next collection - featuring their retro-esque high-waisted ‘Never say never’ bikini - which drops on 18 October and it’s sure to be a hit.
“We said that we would never make a bikini because we believed a woman felt most confident in a one-piece swimsuit. But we changed our minds and set about challenging ourselves to make the most beautiful, super-supportive, flattering bikini possible, and The ‘Never Say Never Bikini’ was born,” founder Carly Brown says.
Following on from their Amalfi floral print, the new ‘Positano’ range features a hand-illustrated new polka dot print in navy and white and will be available in new and classic Une Piece styles, along with a crisp new Resort range and matching pieces for him, her and the kids.
“I took a red pen to the range over COVID and got very creative,” Carly says, adding that the Positano campaign was shot locally in Mt Tamborine.
Royalists rejoice, you may soon be able to own a little slice of history thanks to Dame Quentin Bryce.
The former Governor-General of Australia has donated the gloves she wore to the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (aka Wills and Kate) at Westminster Abbey in 2011 to be raffled online for Women’s Legal Service Queensland.
Made from pale pink Italian leather, the gloves are framed alongside three photos from the event and a copy of her book ‘Dear Quentin’ which includes her recollections of the day. Only 200 tickets are available for the online raffle, which is part of the Labels of the Lawn fundraiser at Brisbane’s Hanworth House on 1 November.
Organiser Marisa Vecchio AM said more than 1000 items from high end brands including Zimmermann, Easton Pearson, Aje, Trelise Cooper, Carla Zampatti and Louis Vuitton had been donated - many still with tags attached.
“We called on some of Brisbane’s most stylish women to donate a couple of designer items they no longer wear (or have worn) to be sold at the event, and we were overwhelmed with support,” Marisa says.
All funds raised will provide frontline services at Women’s Legal Service Queensland (WLSQ).
With six weeks to go until the birth of her first child, Today Show reporter Jess Millward is hoping five years of 3am starts have prepared her well for parenthood.
Jess, who married fellow journalist Joel Dry in February 2018,announced her pregnancy live on air in June when reporting from Dreamworld on the Gold Coast, telling hosts Karl Stefanovic and Allison Langdon she wanted to go on a ride but couldn’t because of her ‘condition’.
Fast-forward four months and Jess this week started maternity leave with a plan to “catch up on sleep” before baby arrives.
“I had mixed emotions about going on leave ... while the hours are tough, I take great pride in what The Today Show has achieved and take the responsibility of keeping Queenslanders informed during a pandemic very seriously,” she says.
“On the other hand, I’m very excited to begin my biggest assignment yet - motherhood - and I’m hoping five years of 3am alarms has been good preparation!”
EVENT OF THE WEEK
Brisbane Racing Club Members Dinner, Eagle Farm Racecourse, Ascot
The stars were not only in the sky at Brisbane Racing Club’s Members Evening Under The Stars Dinner but on the trackside stage at this precursor event to yesterday’s official start to the 2020 Spring Racing Carnival. In a first for BRC, opera made its trackside debut at Eagle Farm Racecourse. The elegant evening hosted by BRC chairman Neville Bell and compered by racing identity Bart Sinclair treated club members and guests to a beautiful dinner featuring a performance from rising Brisbane opera star, Xenia Puskarz Thomas.
The 23-year-old mezzo-soprano had the audience spellbound with her spectacular vocal skills and moving performance. The 2020 Spring Racing Carnival presented by Lexus is at Doomben Racecourse through Melbourne Cup Day.
Pictures: Jared Vethaak (Vethaak Media)
More event social snaps at couriermail/damienanthonyrossi
LOOK OF THE WEEK
Event: Brisbane Racing Club Dinner
Location: Eagle Farm Racecourse
Name: Jo-Jo Brooks
Suburb: Manly
Occupation: Creative Director of Select Stone
Dress: Thurley Design
Shoes: Steve Madden
Clutch: Olga Berg
Jewellery: Lovisa
Style Icon: Princess Diana
INSIDE MY WARDROBE: SALLY STEELE
From her pastel pink bob to her unwavering belief in giving anything a go, Sally Steele is a fashionable force to be reckonedwith.
Inspired by the likes of Iris Apfel and David Bowie, Steele - known on Instagram as @SteeleMyStyle - describes her wardrobeas “high impact but low maintenance with a good dash of whimsy and fun”.
“There is a misconception that with the right designer bag, new trends and cool statement pieces, you’ll be stylish,” shesays.
Instead, Steele advocates for “being you on purpose” which, for her, means wearing sequins as daywear and shopping pre-loved,vintage and supporting local and artisanal designers.
A peek into her Gucci handbag - an uncharacteristic splurge when in Italy for her 20th wedding anniversary in 2018 - giveus a glimpse into Steele’s life and style.
How would you describe your personal style?
Definitely high impact by low maintenance with a good dash of whimsy and fun.
Who are your style icons?
I’m inspired by bold individuals like Iris Apfel, David Bowie, Yayoi Kusama, Leigh Bowery, Elsa Schiaparelli, Grace Jones, but really anyone I meet who has their own unique look and is unapologetically themselves.
Do you get inspiration for outfits or is it just something that comes together?
As a working mum my life is so tightly scheduled that personal style is my one area to just be spontaneous and cut loose; I don’t take fashion too seriously and love being surprised by outfits and new ways of combining things.
What’s your favourite off-duty, casual Sunday look?
I kind of dress the same no matter what is on the cards apart from shoe choice but I do love a slogan tee and skirt combo or a jumpsuit with sneakers, bold lip, statement earrings and a sequin baseball cap.
What’s the newest addition to your wardrobe?
Some amazing ‘70s Italian vintage cotton and linen pieces from Ethnica Eclectica in New Farm Antique Centre. I try and buy online pre-loved, vintage or support local and artisanal designers.
What was your first big splurge?
I’ve never spent lots on clothes - usually I opt for spending money on travel & memorable experiences, but in Italy two years ago to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary I bought a Gucci bag which I’ve used almost everyday since so it’s price per wear is now about $2.50. I remember that glorious trip every time I use it, which in these COVID times is the gift that keeps giving.
What are some of the key trends for spring/summer?
I don’t have a clue, to be honest, but bold colour, statement print, natural fibres and statement sleeves are always great in my book and will stay in your wardrobe for many seasons to come.
Top three wardrobe must haves?
1. A lightweight transpersonal statement jacket that can instantly elevate a tee and jeans; a printed silky bomber, tailored linen blazer or sequin jacket are easy go to options no matter your style.
2. A pair of metallic heels that go with everything and are comfy enough to dance the night away in. I don’t own any neutral or nude shoes as metallics do the same job with more impact.
3. A print dress in easy care fabric (stains don’t show and it is always ready to rock and roll) you feel great in, that can easily go from day to night with a swap of accessories.
Your Instagram is full of colour, what’s your advice to someone who wants to embrace colour but feels intimidated or overwhelmed?
I usually suggest starting with a pop of colour via their shoes, bag or accessories. Look for colours and hues that make you feel positive emotions and focus on finding the right shape and style for your unique body shape first then the colour.
Favourite TV show or film for fashion?
It’s so hard to call favourites but the ones that have really impacted my style evolution would be Charade (1963) with Audrey Hepburn (Givenchy), Rear Window (1954) with Grace Kelly (costumes by Edith Head), Rosalind Russell in Auntie Mame (1958) (costumes Orry-Kelly) and Denise Huxtable from The Cosby Show.
Five things you can’t live without?
I am pretty low maintenance but I always carry a pink lipstick; a gold turban, just in case; a hand fan (for those menopausal “summer” moments), great sunglasses and a copy of my book “Dare More, Care Less” as you never know who you might sit next to!
What is your most sentimental item?
My gold jewellery (necklaces, diamonds, brooches and rings) that have been passed down generations from my great, great grandmother and aunts to me. I love feeling connected to a long line of bold women and making new stories wearing heirloom pieces.
Any cringe worthy outfits or trends in the past?
I have been encouraged to go bold or go home; maybe someone else seeing me wearing my brother’s Army Corps uniform over a sequin ra-ra skirt and Doc Martens was cringing but I thought I looked amazing! Now if a random tradie makes a smart comment about my choice to wear sequins in the daytime such as, “No missing you in that jacket love!” I deflect it with a smile and say, “It’s my hi-vis. You can borrow it anytime, mate!”
