Sunday Confidential: Friends concerned for Australian stylist Kerry Smythe

Sunday Confidential takes a look at the life of top Australian stylist Kelly Smythe, who is in the midst of a court case after allegedly forging prescriptions.

Stylist Kelly Smythe with designer Alex Perry at her birthday party in 2007.

She was the OG, an immaculately dressed, impeccably preened, luxury car-driving stylist to the stars, who only worked with the biggest and best in the Australian entertainment industry.

But two decades on from her heyday, stylist Kelly Smythe’s name has been in the media for the wrong reasons.

And her friends are worried, with those closest to her telling Sunday Confidential that Smythe

was in a deeply vulnerable state, reeling from a traumatic experience that left her mentally unwell at the time alleged offences were committed.

In June, Smythe was charged at Surry Hills Police Station in Sydney’s inner east after allegedly forging prescriptions.

She was charged with two counts of using a false document to obtain property and two counts of obtaining or attempting to get a prohibited drug by false representation.

Celebrity stylist Kelly Smythe at her studio in 2008.

It comes as Sunday Confidential can reveal Smythe was reportedly in a long-term relationship with a pharmacist, who owned a compounding pharmacy in the eastern suburbs, and who she was living with until recently.

“There was a huge amount going on for Kelly that only people in her inner circle are aware of,” one close friend, who wished to remain anonymous, said.

“The truth will come out eventually.

“She was in a very scary place and a victim to serious DV for many years.

“The man involved was eventually charged and pleaded guilty to his crimes, but it changed her and she never fully recovered.”

These allegations did not involve the pharmacist Smythe was in a relationship with.

Rosemount Project Runway Australia Fashion Challenge Fiona Lane (l to r), Gail Elliot and Smythe.

Her friends also said that many people from the Australian entertainment industry had reached out to Smythe since the news of her arrest broke: “She has been flooded with support.”

The headlines involving her name paint a picture that is in stark contrast to the Smythe many of our most recognisable names knew and respected.

What undoubtedly kicked off Smythe’s career was a five-year stint with Network Seven, where she was employed as their head stylist.

She was reportedly hired by David Leckie, after Smythe had some sort of connection with one of his sons.

According to our sources, both Peter Meakin and Leckie were apparently huge fans of Smythe, who worked with Sonia Kruger and other high-profile Seven personalities during her tenure at the network.

Smythe with Terry Biviano.

“My work was recognised by David Leckie at the Seven network, and he approached me to head the network nationally as network stylist,” she once told a beauty blog.

“I was blessed enough to have the support of some pretty bigwigs there, one person in particular Peter Meakin, the head of news and current affairs at the time. He was my mentor.”

She then got a gig styling former Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins, which catapulted her to success, marking a turning point in her career.

Smythe was asked to work with Home and Away actor Tessa James, Rihanna, Miranda Kerr and Eva Longoria.

Her power and influence within high society and the entertainment industry was evident in 2006 when Smyth threw a lavish 28th birthday bash at Ruby Rabbit, which was attended by a who’s who of Sydney, including Ada Nicodemou, Kruger, Holly Brisley, Erike Heynatz, Laura Csortan and Tom Williams.

In 2008 she was rumoured to be engaged to Ashley Bierman, however his family reportedly intervened and the relationship ended.

Then in 2011, she wed Alex Nikolaidis, who was 10 years younger than her, at St Mark’s Church, with Roxy Jacenko, Holly Brisley and Chris Bath all in attendance.

Neither Bierman nor Nikolaidis were ever violent.

One year later, she was front row and centre at Jodi Gordon’s wedding to her now ex-husband, former footy star Braith Anasta, in Bali.

In 2016, she founded a fashion collection titled Masculin, which at the time she said, “I’m just trying to be the best I can, financial freedom is an everyday goal for me.”

In 2022, Smythe was still a celebrated stylist, and worked closely with Sonia Kruger on looks for the AACTA awards.