A-List Confidential: Kendall Gilding takes out top award
Which fiercely contested event did Kendall Gilding triumph at this week? All the A-List gossip and social pics from the week.
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The latest news and gossip from Brisbane’s celebrity scene, this is A-List Confidential...
THE SCOOP
It was a kaleidoscope of fashion at the week’s most stylish event, the inaugural Women in Fashion Brisbane Awards on the rooftop at the Gallery of Modern Art. Women in Fashion founders Carly Vidal-Wallace and Isabelle Lineham hosted the glamorous long lunch that attracted the who’s who of the River City’s fashion world.
The sartorially savvy guests were some of SEQ’s best known fashionistas including Mildred Ellwood, Judy Brine, Cathryn Meredith, Marie Hillard, Shweta Kahn, Marie Hillard and Carlie Wacker as well as leading fashion designers Julie Tengdahl, Liz Clift and Sarah Hutson.
With awards presented in nine categories, it was the coveted Brisbane’s Best Dressed of 2020 Award that was the afternoon’s most anticipated announcement, with the gong going to well-deserving Channel 7 golden girl Kendall Gilding, while the People’s Choice Award went to Brisbane fashion royalty Di Cant.
Other winners included Abeny Nhial (Top Fashion Model), Kerrie Carucci (Leading Stylist), Stephanie Rooke and Kristian Williams of Bonita Collective (Standout Designer), photographer Sharleen Christie (Fashion Freelancer of the Year) and Laura Churchill for Brisbane Fashion Month (Most Successful Fashion Event of 2020).
PAGING J-LO
Where is Jennifer Lopez when you need her… or more specifically her character in The Wedding Planner? Channel 7 personality Sammie O’Brien could certainly have used someone like J-Lo’s character, wedding consultant Mary Fiore, in the 2001 hit film for her upcoming nuptials having had to whip them together in a matter of weeks.
The Weekender and Creek to Coast presenter has possibly set a record for the fastest wedding ever planned and will be walking down the aisle to marry her fiance, real estate agent Fraser Byrne, at All Hallows’ Chapel next Sunday with the reception for 100 guests to take place at The Calile Hotel’s glamorous rooftop.
The New Farm couple’s original plan was for a garden wedding next May at O’Brien’s parent’s Sherwood home but that all changed with O’Brien having told A-List: “I thought I had plenty of time to plan but due to a few unforeseen things popping up a couple of months ago, we decided we would move the wedding up to December. Everything’s been planned in five weeks…the world’s quickest wedding!”
The upcoming nuptials cap off a very busy few years for the 28-year-old who met her hubby-to-be in January 2016 at the Queens Arms Hotel thorough mutual friend Pete Faust. In addition to her work on the two lifestyle/travel programs, O’Brien is also a regular Lotto draw host as well as a sought-after emcee for events.
But it’s clear that the priority for this next chapter in her life is starting a family with Byrne and when asked about how soon that might happen O’Brien enthusiastically replied “Yesterday! Just joking, but seriously…ASAP!”
Huge fans of country living, in August the couple purchased a 255 acre property complete with 80 head of cattle just outside Aratula (90 km southwest of Brisbane) and hope to move there permanently next year. Following the wedding, the newlyweds will take a “mini-moon” to Moreton Island with a full honeymoon to happen in 2021.
WHEN UGLY IS STYLISH
Chris Hemsworth and Hugh Jackman have worn one and now you can too, because the Ugly Xmas Rashie (UXR) is back better than ever and raising funds for our lifesavers.
Surf Life Saving Foundation has teamed up UXR to produce a surf lifesaving-branded rashie to raise funds for volunteer lifesaver patrols and promote beach safety.
An Aussie play on the seasonal ‘ugly Christmas sweater’, Ugly Xmas Rashie has gained a cult following since its fashionable debut in 2015 and raised a whopping $370,000 for cancer prevention and research.
“Surf lifesavers volunteer thousands of hours every season to keep watch over beachgoers and their loved ones. Our ‘swim between the flags’ safety messaging is part of the UXR surf lifesaving design, so we look forward to seeing a whole lot of ugliness in between the red and-yellow flags on our beaches this summer,” SLSF Community Fundraising Manager Kym Richardson SAYS.
Made in Brisbane by Scody, the Ugly Xmas Rashie comes in female and male adult and children sizes, boasts a UPF50+ rating for sun protection and is available in six limited-edition all-Aussie designs.
IN LIVING COLOUR
She’s one of Brisbane’s queens of colour, and now boutique owner Sarah Hutson has been popping up on small screens sharing her “colour is joy” ethos.
“I entered an AAMI Business Insurance Competition on how my business survived COVID and won,” she said. The prize was having her New Farm boutique, SFH Designs, appearing in AAMI’s new ‘Backing Business’ ad campaign.
The commercial was filmed in October, under full Covid restrictions – including an onsite nurse and safety officer – with the team directing virtually from Melbourne.
“I had a Zoom meeting with them and everyone in Melbourne was dressed in black and I was ‘Little Miss Sunshine” in my hot pink! It was easy to pick the Queenslander,” Sarah says.
Sarah said she’s had great feedback and support not only for the store – which boasts a DIY ‘Embellishment Bar’, where customers can bring in old jackets, or choose one in-store, to customise with sequins, tassels, pompoms and more – but also her belief that embracing colour can add joy to our lives.
“I think we all need a bit happiness right now; my mower man saw the commercial and wants to buy the dress I wore for his wife and my Australia Post lady couldn’t believe it when I appeared on her TV on Saturday night and brought two pairs of fabulous earrings online,’’ she says.
While SFH Designs was forced to temporarily close during COVID-19, they are back in business and have returned to hosting fun and vibrant COVID-19 safe events equip with fashion parades and samba dancing.
EVENT OF THE WEEK
Cocktails for a Cause
Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, Manly
The highly anticipated Cocktails for a Cause event welcomed nearly 800 guests over two evenings for a fun-filled evening in a fairy-lit marquee under the stars on the RQYS’s rigging lawns. Guests enjoyed an array of local Moreton Bay cuisine and a chance at $30,000 worth of raffle and auction prizes before dancing the night away to a high-octane set of classic dance anthems.
Event organisers and Manly residents Tracey Lucock, Kara Vallins, Anna Stokes Zerner and Kirrly Page were overwhelmed with the community’s response to the annual charity event whose focus this year was on community mental health and suicide prevention and raised a whopping $45,000 for the Black Dog Institute. Well done, ladies!
Pictures: Bernadette Rose Photography
LOOK OF THE WEEK
Event: Astille Collection Launch
Location: Dutch courage, Fortitude Valley
Name: Di Cant
Suburb: Kangaroo Point
Occupation: Stylist
Blouse: Witchery
Skirt: Bonita Collective
Belt: Gucci
Shoes: Carvela
Earrings: Mercedes Salazar
Bag: Kate Spade New York
Style Icon: Ralph Lauren/Catherine Deneuve
Picture: Claudia Baxter Photography
INSIDE MY WARDROBE: CHARLI ROBINSON
When picturing some of her best and worst fashion moments, original Hi5 performer turned TV presenter Charli Robinson admits both of hers relate to awards nights – with her Dad delivering her biggest ‘fairytale moment’ to date.
These days, Charli – who will be back on the small screen in early December on Nine’s Great Getaways – is spending her days in a newborn bubble following the birth of her second daughter, Theodora, in July.
“Since becoming a mum I still try to enjoy my wardrobe, even if half the time I’m in my PJs by 4pm and have to choose my clothes by their access for breastfeeding!”
But she’ll be getting glammed up to host the Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols next weekend – and she’s going all out.
“I bought a pair of Louis Vuitton navy heels at the start of the pandemic, so they’ve never had an outing but that will change next Saturday. They are the perfect mix of bling and style.”
How would you describe your personal style?
As a mum with a newborn, I choose clothes by their access to my breasts! Alarming as that sounds it’s all about breastfeeding my beautiful baby girl. Previously and soon, my style is bright and fun. I like to wear what makes me feel good – I’m sure that’s the point of fashion.
Who are your style icons?
Although I’ve never followed a certain look, if I was to tell someone to research one icon it would be Coco Chanel. Her hard working, creative mind that never let barriers define her. She’s a great role model for girls.
What’s the newest addition to your wardrobe?
My beautiful Louis Vuitton navy heels; they are the perfect mix of bling and style.
What’s the oldest thing in your wardrobe?
My Hi5 shirt that has Charli written on it and a cartoon of me. I’m sure Kensington will wear it soon!
What’s the most sentimental item you own?
I was touring the UK with Hi5 and my dad was on tour with me. I needed a Logies dress and we went shopping in London together, which was so much fun. I felt like Cinderella when he said he’d buy me this stunning gold silk dress; we won a Logie in this dress and I’ll never part with it. It was a fairytale moment.
Has your style changed since your days with Hi-5 and also since becoming a mum?
I’d like to say ‘Yes, dramatically’ but pink is still my favourite colour, which was also my Hi5 look. I guess there’s less skirt over pants and my hair isn’t rainbow colours anymore, but I still think it’s good to have fun with your wardrobe. Since becoming a mum I still try to enjoy my wardrobe, even if half the time I’m in my PJs by 4pm!
What’s your favourite off-duty, casual Sunday look?
Breezy colourful summer dress feels best but in all honesty if I could just be in my Peter Alexander PJs all day, I really would!
What are your favourite brands?
Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton and Peter Alexander, and my favourite Brisbane brands are Abi & Joseph activewear and more recently, my go-to breastfeeding brand is Lactivewear.
Any cringe-worthy outfits or trends in the past?
There was the Arias in 2009. I’ll always be proud of the awards we won, but I’m not sure I was wearing anything that particular night. The little black dress was more like a triangle with straps, but at the time, I felt comfortable and sexy!
What would you buy if money were no object?
I would throw out the majority of my wardrobe and only wear my favourite designers. Life is short, dress to impress yourself everyday in whatever makes you feel good.
Summer or winter fashion?
Summer for the easy dresses and I’m always barefoot, so I love the warm days.
Denim or dresses?
Dresses. Surprisingly I’m not a pants girl (unless it’s pyjama pants!)
Minimalist or clothes hoarder?
Hmmm that’s a confronting question, it’s made me realise I’m a hoarder. You never know when you’ll need that summer dress from 2001!
Heels or sneakers?
Barefoot when possible, but otherwise heels.
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