VIP: The parties that rocked this week

FROM horses and humans to the Packers and Paspaley, Melissa Hoyer spills on the best social events of the week.

orlando bloom

MELISSA HOYER spills on the best social events of the week.

Cavalia opening night, Moore Park

Horses and humans make for an exciting double act – ok, except for when some odd betting arrangements  allegedly get in the way - but the big top show, Cavalia had a huge crowd come out on a chilly night to witness just how brilliantly the two can work together.

Australia Cavalia

Tricks, bare-back riding, acrobat and a whole lot of Cirque du Soleil inspired activities made it a show worth watching. And when my 11-year-old kid gives it the thumbs up, it’s a winner.

Guests included Sam Armytage, John and Kerri-Ann Kennerley, Alan Jones, Hugo’s man Dave Evans, Michael Ryan and wife, the leading nutritionist Zoe Bingley Pullen, Michael Pell, Glenn Wheeler, Barry Humphries, Jamie Durie and ModelCo beauty boss, Shelley Barrett.

erica

Paspaley store opening, Crown Melbourne

Melbourne went into super chic mode, again, as members of the Paspaley family, Crown executives and Melbourne VIPs gathered for the opening of the new Paspaley boutique at Crown. Erica Packer, wearing a stunning black column dress and bedecked in elegant Paspaley pearls, cut the yellow ribbon and declared the store officially open.

Guests who joined the Paspaley family and Erica for the opening included Ros Packer, James Packer, Gina Rinehart, Rowen Craigie, Solomon Lew, James and Prue Fairfax, Natasha Oberoi, Ann Peacock, Amanda Valmorbida, John and Rasa Bertrand, Tim and Charlotte Holmes à Court, Cindy Sargon, Frank and Sharon Van Haandel, and Bruce and Chyka Keebaugh.

Representing the Paspaley family were Nick Paspaley, Roslynne Bracher and George Kapetas, James Paspaley, Peter and Banu Bracher, Michael and Mia Bracher, Christine and Ashleigh Salter, Chris Paspaley and Nick Hannigan.

The evening kicked off with Veuve Clicquot as guests admired the new design concept, the work of one of the world’s hottest retail architects, Eric Carlson of Carbondale. whose client list includes Louis Vuitton, Celine and TAG Heuer.

danielle spencer

Audi and InStyle Women of Style

"The InStyle and Audi Women of Style awards honoured 31 influential and incredibly talented women,” said Kirsten Galliott, editor of InStyle.

“The awards are testament to the outstanding achievements made by a group of extraordinary women, each respected for their valuable contributions to Australian society, and I am thrilled to be celebrating their successes."

Nicole Kidman took the top honour of the night, while Carrie Bickmore won the hotly contested Readers’ Choice Award. Other award winners included Rachel Griffiths (Entertainment), Carla Zampatti (Fashion), Elizabeth Broderick (Charity & Community) and Sam Mostyn (Business).

Over 300 guests attended the red-carpet awards including Claudia Karvan, Danielle Spencer, Collette Dinnigan, Layne Beachley, Melissa Doyle, Sally Obermeder, Kate Ritchie, Samara Weaving, Jessica Rowe, Michelle Bridges, Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Tim Ross, Charlotte Dawson, Sandra Sully, Natarsha Belling, Janelle Kidman, Jana Wendt and Alex Perry.

orlando bloom

Orlando Bloom heads to Oz for British Airways

Internationally-renowned actor Orlando Bloom is set to make a special appearance at an event in Sydney celebrating British Airways’ latest service enhancements on the route. 

The VIP event will take place in Sydney on May 29 at the always glam Park Hyatt hotel in Sydney.

“I'm happy to be working with British Airways on the launch of their Boeing 777-300ER aircraft from Sydney and look forward to attending their celebratory event in May,’’ says Orlando.

“As someone that flies regularly, I love nothing more than to kick back and relax and enjoy the great amenities and service British Airways first class has to offer.”

And with his gorgeous wife, Miranda Kerr, a Qantas ambassador and Mr Bloom with BA, the pair have pretty much got all air space covered.

mel and branson

Richard Branson talks his Makepeace Island, Park Hyatt

Makepeace is the island owned by Richard Branson and Brett Godfrey and judging by what the 25 acre Noosa isle has on offer, it’s going to become as popular as everything else Mr B turns his hand too.

Richard and Brett (he’s the Virgin Blue co-founder) hosted an intimate drinks soiree to tell an intimate crew about the heart shaped island that is a few minutes upstream from Noosa Heads in Queensland.

Once a total private island, the boys have opened it to all with 22 castaways’ allowed on the isle at one time. Kids included.

With private villas, a Bali House, a Boat House, an Island bar, outdoor cinema, media room, hot spa, tennis court, 11 bedrooms and near enough to get to the Barrier Reef and down-town Noosa, it is bound to be a huge new player on the Aussie travel scene. Get us there now!

THE GOOD: Hot online fashion destination boohoo.com.au & it’s affordable too! Loving the chosen Barangaroo construction from architects Wilkinson Eyre; sleek and elegant and how good for The Voice finalists to show their talent at a jam at The Beresford on Thursday night
THE BAD: Don’t know about you, but I LOVED Nicole Kidman’s coined "Davy Crocket" hair do – phooey to all the naysayers!
THE UGLY: Can we take any more of the Singo/Waterhouse racing debacle ...