Former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce pops into Melbourne to support great mate Martin Grant

His buddy Anthony Albanese was on the eve of calling an election, but former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce was in Melbourne on Thursday night to celebrate another great friend.

His buddy Anthony Albanese was on the eve of calling an election, but Alan Joyce was in Melbourne on Thursday night to celebrate another great friend.

The former Qantas boss has been lying low since he spectacularly “retired” from helming Australia’s largest airline in 2023.

He spent 15 years in the top job and hasn’t spoken publicly since retreating from the spotlight. But Page 13 sidled up to the Dublin-born former airline executive at the opening night of his good friend, fashion designer Martin Grant’s exhibition at the Ian Potter Centre for the NGV on Thursday night.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce.

Grant and Joyce became friends after the illustrious Blackburn-born designer to the stars won the pitch to design the Qantas uniforms 13 years ago.

“I didn’t know Martin until then,” Joyce said. “He pitched and hit it out of the ballpark. Some of the best designers in the world were up for it.

“But Martin pitched what we needed, just great suits for the cabin crew, so modern, so nice and reflected the history.

“He is a fantastic guy and such a great success story for Australia – worldwide he is so well known and this exhibition is incredible.”

It was a quick pit stop for Joyce who said he was flying back home after a dinner with Grant and friends later that night.

Martin Grant, Christine Barros and Tony Ellwood. Picture: NGV

And what is on the horizon? “I’m retired as you know,” Joyce smiled. “I have a few projects but am trying not to take on too much.”

Browsing among the exquisite pieces showcasing the Paris based Australian designer’s exceptional career from his archives, having dressing some of the most stylish women of the world from Cate Blanchett, Lady Gaga and Naomi Campbell, Joyce later was overheard exclaiming, “gosh I haven’t done an interview for 18 months, I broke my silence.” Happy to oblige.

Elsewhere, more guests were in swoons at the impeccable precise tailoring, the timeless dress coats, garments and showstopping gowns spanning across his four decades in the industry, so thoughtfully put together by Grant’s and another great friend, NGV’s senior fashion curator Katie Somerville. Another Kate was among the guests, Grant’s childhood friend Kate Ceberano whose wedding dress he designed.