Adelaide’s socialites: The names on every guest list in town revealed
They are the glamorous stylists, in demand WAGs and trending fashion influencers and designers on Adelaide’s most exclusive guest lists. See who made the cut.
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They are the familiar faces frequenting Adelaide’s social scene. Often spotted at the city’s most exclusive events, galas and functions sporting tailored and at times, one of a kind, outfits, these names are often some of the first on any guest list.
From stylists and WAGS to fashion influencers and designers, The Advertiser has curated the ultimate party list of the state’s top socialites.
We consulted inside sources in charge of tailoring the hottest guest lists at Adelaide’s best events, see who made the top 20.
Janitha Perera
A model, content creator and former Miss Universe Australia National Finalist, Janitha Perera is the name on everyone’s lips.
She moved to Australia from Sri Lanka with her family when she was 11 years old and is currently based in Adelaide.
With a combined following of around 55,000 social media followers on Instagram and TikTok, Perera is managed by Ministry of Talent as well as Finesse Models Australia and Giant Management.
In-between photo shoots and content planning meetings the former beauty queen regularly attends Adelaide’s most exclusive events including most recently a brunch hosted by Adelaide founded label Aston Studio.
Stephanie Ockenden
A partnerships and event planner herself, Stephanie Ockenden juggles it all. From her 9-5 at the Art Gallery of South Australia to her interior design business and being a mum to three kids, Ockenden still finds the time to make appearances at parties across the state.
Invited to the exclusive and controversial Sam Smith concert earlier this year the mum also lends her notoriety to many Burnside Village events, art gallery soirées and theatre opening nights.
Bethany Jarvis
Bethany Jarvis is an Adelaide content creator with over 285,000 followers on TikTok and 45,000 on Instagram.
Managed by Max Connectors Jarvis is often jetsetting around the country attending fashion weeks and festivals including Splendour in the Grass and Australian Fashion Week.
Spotted usually in arm with fellow Adelaide influencers Jarvis was seen in the front row of the Sam Smith concert this year and at every event for alcohol brand, South Ave.
Damian Porcaro
Senior stylist at Westfield, Damian Porcaro not only styles Adelaide’s top socialites, but he is one.
Self proclaimed 80s aficionado, you can spot Porcaro’s bright and bold outfits in every crowd. He sports a wide range of colourful jackets so spotting Porcaro is never the same experience twice.
The stylist is often in attendance of premiers, galas and events, mostly for Adelaide’s fashion and arts and theatre scenes including the Mary Poppins premiere and the Adelaide Festival Centre’s 50th birthday celebration.
Rebecca Morse
An Adelaide journalist, news and radio presenter. Morse was Adelaide’s 10 News First newsreader before moving on to co-host SAFM’s breakfast radio show Bec and Soda.
In-between radio and ambassador gigs, writing for Kiddo magazine and consulting brand The Style Hosts, Morse attends regular events including most recently Adelaide Fashion Week and Aston Studio’s brunch.
An attendee of the ballet, Port Adelaide Football club events and charitable days out, Morse is spread thin.
Brooke Upton
One of the younger attendees Brooke Upton only arrived on the city’s social scene in the last few years with her Instagram account continuing to grow.
Currently hosting over 85,000 followers Upton is SA’s self proclaimed “big sister” and is represented by IMG talent management.
A fashion content creator, Upton’s name is often on fashion VIP lists across the country including Australian Fashion Week and local brand events.
She’s also apart of Adelaide’ tight-knit content group which went to popular music festival Splendour in the Grass.
Kellie Finlayson
A socialite with a powerful message. While battling terminal bowel cancer Kellie Finlayson spreads her message to “check your poo” for early detection of the sinister disease.
The mum is often arm in arm with her footy player husband, Port Adelaide player Jeremy Finlayson attending football events like the Brownlow and John Cahil Medal ceremony.
As an ambassador of the Jodi Lee Foundation the influencer attends their vital events including the Little Black Dress Ball in June this year where she spoke exclusively to MC Jess Adamson about her story.
Paul Vasileff
When internationally acclaimed designer and founder of Paolo Sebastian Paul Vasileff isn’t designing gorgeous collections and couture gowns, he’s attending exclusive events with wife Anna.
Recently the newlyweds attended Disney’s The Little Mermaid premiere, the National Gallery of Victoria’s events, and Vogue Australia Festival.
The 2017 Young Australian of the Year not only attends events, he has dressed and worked with many people on this list, including Port Adelaide WAG Kellie Finlayson for the Brownlow red carpet.
Jessica Dover
Model, content creator and podcaster Jessica Dover is almost always found on guest lists across Adelaide.
Known for her appearance on My House Rules in 2018, Dover gained traction online for her fashion and interior design eye grossing almost 90,000 Instagram followers.
Since, she’s seen at events across the country.
Recently she appeared at Adelaide’s fashion week and the grand opening of Louis Vuitton’s pop up shop on Rundle Mall.
Raymond Dahdah and Ally Aoukar
Behind all events is a hardworking event planner, two of those are socialites in their own right Raymond Dahdah and wife Ally Aoukar.
Co-owners of event management company Out in the Paddock, the married couple of 18 years put on some of Adelaide’s biggest events including Vogue Codes in Adelaide, Coopers Brewery 160th birthday, Catherine House Black Tie Dinner as well as many galas, weddings and hospitality events.
When they aren’t working events they are often attending them.
Pippa and Gavin Wanganeen
When AFL couple royalty Pippa and Gavin Wanganeen aren’t busy running after their four girls, they are attending Adelaide’s hottest events.
Seen at arts openings, fashion events and charitable galas the couple is always supporting their community.
Former AFL legend Gavin is now also a contemporary Aboriginal artist who this week accompanied Pippa to the Art Gallery of South Australia’s opening of the Tarnanthi exhibit.
Collecting over 35,000 Instagram followers between them the pair share their colourful life online with Pippa managed by The Models management company.
Cristina Tridente
Spotting Cristina Tridente in a crowd is simple, not just for her presence at most of Adelaide’s social events, but for her bright outfits.
The couturier at couture+love+madness will often dress our socialities in her designs before she attends the exclusive events by their sides.
The founder of SA Fashion Industry Association can be seen attending the city’s highly coveted fashion events including the launch of Aston Studio’s newest collection and Adelaide Fashion Week.
This socialite can also be spotted at SA’s Polo Association events and hotel openings.
Samantha Costello
Wife to media personality Andrew ‘Cosi’ Costello, Samantha has created a name for herself in her own right as Adelaide’s top socialites and fashion influencer.
Posting for her almost 30,000 Instagram followers Samantha makes appearances at fashion collection launches, fashion weeks and runways and theatre premieres.
She was also seen at Aston Studio’s latest collection launch brunch, Adelaide Fashion week events and the premiere of Mary Poppins at Adelaide Festival Centre, in-between attending her daughter’s callisthenic and dancing competitions.
Lauren Dilena
Fashion stylist to the top socialites, Lauren Dilena has rubbed shoulders with the who’s who of SA.
Working many different jobs, Dilena is a stylist for Westfield, an event host and presenter as well as an Instagram influencer posting for her 11,400 followers.
She’s attended Adelaide Fashion Week as not only a stylist, working with her clients each step of the way, but also as an attendee herself.
Dilena can also be spotted at a variety of brand launches and fashion runways across the city.
Jamie Reilly
Professional stylist, fashion and beauty guru Jamie Reilly shares snippets of her everyday life to her 32,200 Instagram followers.
Married to former Crows player and current development coach Brent Creilly, the mum-of-two attends a variety of special events after Adelaide including the launch of Spult Adelaide, skincare events and the Knuckey Cup.
She can also be seen at hotel openings and store openings interstate.
Michelle Beltrame
You cannot attend an event without seeing award-winning stylist and mum Michelle Beltrame in the crowd.
A staple invitee at fashion events across the country, she was most recently attending a range of events across Adelaide Fashion Week.
She’s been seen at fashion collection launches including Serafina Australias as well as theatre premieres like Come From Away and Mary Poppins.
Named Australian Style Institute’s 2021 stylist of the year Beltrame’s name is either on the guest list or on the invitation as a speaker talking all things empowerment and style.
Hayley Berlingeri
Mum-of-three Hayley Berlingeri exudes style and class especially when appearing at social events across Adelaide.
Attending mostly fashion events including couture+love+madness’s latest collection launch and, like so many of Adelaide’s top socialites, Adelaide Fashion Week.
She can also be spotted trackside at various horse races.
Markus Hamence
Markus Hamence wears many hats including an events manager, arts and entertainment reporter and plant enthusiast.
However he still makes time to be seen at a variety of SA events.
Attending a variety from WellFest Adelaide, to theatre premieres and cabaret festivals Hamence will surely always be in the crowd.
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