VIP: Fashionese throng take over Sydney, latest Grange un-corked, Geordie crew party on
FROM testing out Grange, turning fashionese and Geordie Shore shenanigans, this week's VIP embraced all ends of the social spectrum...
FROM testing out Grange, turning fashionese and Geordie Shore shenanigans, this week's VIP embraced all ends of the social spectrum.
10 Magazine drinks:
The uber-cool 10 magazine hosted a Moet champagne-fuelled soiree last night at the perennially chic Velluto in Sydney's Potts Point. And, what a cast list of style names were thrown into the mix.
Jordan and Zac Stenmark - the Aussie model twins who are making their mark on the world - popped in before heading to Hong Kong and the US for more gigs, as did Camilla Freeman-Topper (as in Camilla & Marc), Collette Dinnigan, Romance was Born's Luke Sales and marketing man Mark Cavanagh.
10's Australian edition editor, Alison Veness McGourty hosted the party to introduce 10's global boss, Sophia Neophitou to the fash pack. Very smart all round.
Penfolds unveil 2008 Grange:
Grange unveiled their latest onto the market - the simply sensational 2008 Grange - over a dinner at The Quay in Circular Quay.
Having already scored a 100/100 from global wine guru Robert Parker jnr, the only way is, well, who knows where for the next vintage!
Guests sipped on Peter Gilmore's fine food and savoured every sip of the 2008.
While the 2008 isn't available until next month, having the best time was GQ editor and magazine publisher Nick Smith, along with a handpicked guest list of media names and Penfolds charming chief winemaker, Peter Gago.
A mere snip at a recommended retail price of $784.99 per bottle, demand for the 2008 grange from overseas fans has been great, as has the amount of people wanting to snap up a case or two.
The consensus? Umm, brilliant.
Lunch to farewell Val Garland:
Make-up artist extraordinaire Val Garland has worked with the best - Lady Gaga, Vivienne Westwood and the Alexander (Lee) McQueen - and was in town to impart her maquillage knowledge for the peeps at MAC Cosmetics and during fashion week
One of the most creative MU artists on the world stage, Val once called Sydney home and was thrilled to be back to give a masterclass at Luxe Studios and do the faces at Lisa Ho and Romance was Born before heading to The Bucket List at Bondi for a quiet catch-up.
Some of the faces who caught up with Val before she heads back to London on the weekend included Dolores Lavin, Mark Cavanagh and Nikki Sargeant.
The unstoppable Val says she will be back, but for a more relaxed holiday next time.
Net-A-Porter:
Last night, NET-A-PORTER.COM (the online luxe fashion retailer) hosted a cocktail soiree to celebrate Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia at Ananas in The Rocks.
Over 70 guests joined NET-A-PORTER in celebration including designers Nicky & Simone Zimmermann, Sarah-Jane Clark, photographer Candace Lake, actors Samara Weaving and Phoebe Tonkin, DJs James Lyell and Hugo Gozman, Vogue's Jill Davison and Christine Centenera, Style.com's Maya Singer and Sunday Style's Kerrie McCallum. NET-A-PORTER buyers Linda Ayepe and Octavia Bradford were also there.
A glamorous and intimate evening of celebration was held at Ananas Bar and Brasserie for Australian industry elite including editors, designers, industry influencers and models.
The event is a reflection of NET-A-PORTER's recognition and support of Australia as an important market with unique design talent.
NET-A-PORTER's Australian designers including Zimmermann, Dion Lee, Lover, Sass & Bide, Willow, Camilla & Marc and Collette by Collette Dinnigan were also in attendance.
IMG Fashion's 2013 Australian fashion Laureate:
IMG Fashion, in partnership with the NSW Government, announced the Australian Fashion Laureate 2013 nominees (presented by The Weekend Australian Magazine) at a special event hosted in the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge at fashion week.
Celebrating the outstanding achievements and contributions of individuals to the Australian fashion industry, the stellar line-up of nominees announced today comprised of: Internationally acclaimed artist and designer Jenny Kee, fashion and media icon Nancy Pilcher, Head of the Fashion Design Studio at Sydney Institute TAFE NSW Nicholas Huxley, and globally recognised Australian fashion labels Sass & Bide and Zimmermann.
The official winner of the 6th Annual Australian Fashion Laureate will be announced and presented with a Jan Logan created trophy on Thursday May 9 2013.
It's a fashion wrap:
With the brilliant addition of a live stream, powered by the crew at jasu.com (so you could watch every show live if you couldn't be there) this year's revitalised Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia, quite simply, was good.
Some years, fashion week is all a bit, well, blaaah.
But this year it was brilliantly organised and considering the new mega venue, Carriageworks in Redfern, it all went off with a minimum of fuss.
Some of the labels who shone included Toni Maticevski, Camilla & Marc, Romance was Born, by Johnny, Christopher Esber, Camilla, Easton Pearson, Ellery, From Britten and Manning Cartel.
Meanwhile, it was great to see Alex Perry, Jayson Brunsdon and Lisa Ho all show a new streamlined, understated approach to next summer.
Look out for the monochrome palette of black and white, sporty luxe pieces, doses of metallics, cropped tops (eek) and loads of blue. Roll on next summer.
Geordie Shore take over The Bucket List:
With cerebral and classy lines like "I should have a degree in pulling women" and "I would never kiss anyone without a six-pack" it's no wonder MTV reality show, Geordie Shore, is such a huge hit.
The series, which centres around a crew of relatively loud peeps from Newcastle (as in England), has been shooting in Sydney and where did I happen to spot them, but filming at The Bucket List, on a sunny and spectacular Bondi beach day.
The Shore-ites had been having surfing lessons (bound for riveting viewing) but couldn't resist a few buckets of chips, prawns, beers and crisp white wines as they sat around a long, outside table and chewed the Bondi fat.