South Australia’s top 20 socialites that ruled the social calendar in 2023
In the South Australian social landscape, these are the 20 individuals who ruled this year’s social calendar. Let’s see who made the cut – and who is the new scene-disrupting addition.
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They are the socialites whose calenders were filled to the brim with invitations, RSVP requests, plans and events in 2023.
From stylists and social media gurus to models and business owners, they are the state’s most prolific party people.
For fashion stylist and creative director Cimon Vozzo the Burnside Village SS. Series runway, The Soho Supper Club and the Adelaide Italian Festival were standout events this year but it was hard to choose.
She said this year’s social schedule was “incredible”.
“This year it felt like every event had its own individual style,” she said. “It was a big point of difference.”
For those lucky enough to score invites like Ms Vozzo, she said you would get an insight into what’s happening before the general public.
“It’s honestly a privilege that my job allows me to attend these incredible events all around Adelaide – I’m very lucky,” she said.
Of course we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to ask one of Adelaide’s best stylists for any fashion tips for the upcoming event season.
“Organise outfits ahead of time in case you are rushing from event to event – you will know what look you are wearing next,” she said.
“This will get the most out of your wardrobe.”
Fitness influencer Alissa Fay called 2023 the “best year” she’s experienced when it comes to events in Adelaide.
“Events provide an opportunity to showcase the best that South Australia has to offer, everything from entertainment, food, sport, music, art and of course fashion,” she told The Advertiser.
“I feel so lucky to be able to support so many local businesses and brands while also sharing my personal experience with my social media audience.”
Confirmed by top secret inside sources, let’s take a look at South Australia’s most influential and in-demand socialites …
Michelle Beltrame
She’s best known as South Australia’s leading personal and commercial stylist but Michelle Beltrame moonlights as one of the state’s busiest socialities.
Named as Australian Style Institute’s 2021 stylist of the year, Beltrame has been a red carpet staple in 2023, attending theatre premieres like Miss Saigon, Come From Away and Mary Poppins.
She was also spotted at the lavish King William Road Long Lunch, attended the preview of Adelaide’s wellness hub Davaar House of Wellness and appeared at Adelaide Fashion Week.
Always stylish, the mum-of-two often shares her OOTD (that’s outfit of the day) on Instagram – always attracting an influx of sartorial praise.
Alissa Fay
With over 270,000 followers on social media and a standout presence on TikTok, it’s no surprise that fitness influencer Alissa Fay is a regular at Adelaide’s swankiest events.
The fitness coach at online workout platform, The Booty Academy, has this year been spotted at Flinders Foundation Marina Pink launch, the premiere of Miss Saigon and Adelaide Fashion Week.
And now a regular by her side is partner Will Giles, better known as The Millennial Marketer who specialises in growing “brands and businesses online”.
Janitha Perera
Former Miss Universe Australia national finalist Janitha Perera can be spotted at Adelaide’s restaurant openings, fashion showcases and theatre premieres.
With a combined following of around 55,000 social media followers on Instagram and TikTok, Perera moved from Sri Lanka to Australia with her family when she was 11 years old.
The Adelaide local is managed by PR queen Roxy Jacenko’s Ministry of Talent as well as Finesse Models Australia and Giant Management.
Often sporting chic outfits, Perera is a staple at any talked-about event.
Joanna Tropeano
Fashion blogger, singer and law student Joanna Tropeano is a master juggler and a regular at events across the city.
But it’s her fashion prowess that makes her a true standout socialite.
The new mum often shares her glitzy event escapades and glamorous outfits with her 10,000 followers on Instagram.
Standout 2023 events? She recently attended Morphettville racecourse event centre opening, the Miss Saigon theatre premiere and an award night all in one week. Busy, busy.
Maree Hopgood
Owner of lifestyle integrated agency GAT Agency, Maree Hopgood is one of few on the list who not only hosts some of the city’s most lavish events but also attends those she’s not organising. That’s what we call the best of both worlds.
Her agency launched the Wolf Bass Event Centre at Morphettville where Hopgood made an appearance and also put together many events and pop-ups during Adelaide Fashion Week.
The brains behind the King William Road Long Lunch, Hopgood stole a moment to enjoy the event, mingling with guests and taking stunning Instagram picture to mark the occasion.
Damian Porcaro
While this list is largely dedicated to IT girls, there is a few men who also needed a shout out. Stylist to many of the socialites on this list, Damian Porcaro is 2023’s man of the moment – and has been a regular on the guest list of every exclusive event across Adelaide this year.
He’s been snapped at Morphettville Racecourse Wolf Bass Event Centre opening, the Miss Saigon theatre premiere and major hospitality events.
And the stylish stylist loves a pop of colour so is easy to spot him in a crowded party room. Let’s see what 2024 has in store for this fierce fashionista.
Lucy Fennell
A brand manager for a range of haircare labels, a VIP ambassador for The Adelaide Polo Classic and a mum to boys, Lucy Fennell has her hands full.
She also carves out the time in her busy schedule to attend the state’s most glamorous events. And is, naturally, always a staple at the polo.
She writes on Instagram that she is always “seeking calm. Chasing joy. Mama of boys.”
Cimon Vozzo
Resident stylist at Burnside Village, Cimon Vozzo has rubbed shoulders with most people on this list.
A freelance fashion stylist and creative consultant, Vozzo fills her spare time attending events and working as an ambassador for a string of brands.
You’ve probably seen her at this year’s most promoment fashion shows, the Adelaide Italian Festival and endless store openings.
Jessica Head
When Jessica Head isn’t travelling the world supporting her husband, cricketing legend Travis Head with their daughter Milla, she’s in regular attendance of glitzy events across Adelaide.
A lover of fashion’s finest labels (read: Prada), the socialite has been pictured at 2023’s creme de la creme of events.
Cayleigh Scalamera
When she isn’t travelling the world with her real estate agent husband David Scalamera, social media guru Cayleigh Scalamera is a regular at the finest restaurant openings and fashion events.
This year, she’s been spotted at the hotly anticipated opening of rooftop restaurant, SORA on Pirie, and many Adelaide Fashion Week soirees.
Ever the social media socialite, Scalamera often shares sneaky behind the scenes shots of Adelaide’s finest events to her 11,600 Instagram followers.
Lili Karamalikis
Adelaide makeup artist and owner of Fluffi Beauty, Lili Karamalikis is the makeup artist of some of Adelaide’s most influential names.
And when she isn’t giving a gloss up to the who’s who of Adelaide, or running her growing beauty business, she’s the go-to guest at luxury store openings, attending fashion weeks and award ceremonies.
Charlotte Kleut
Creative director at Say Cheese Social, Charlotte Kleut has worked behind the scenes at Adelaide’s coolest events as well as been a guest herself.
She covered this year’s Adelaide Fashion Week, attended Sally Phillips latest collection showcase and was a guest at the Soho Supper Club opening night.
Yep, a very busy SA socialite indeed. And you’ll spot this creative’s smile a mile away.
Marie Kargiotis
Marie Kargiotis is an interior styling guru, with a sweet 11,600 followers on Instagram. She is also a regular host at events as well as a prominent guest.
She recently accompanied her business partner, radio host Rebecca Morse and model Jessica Dover, as hosts at the Two Pairs Homewares Christmas showcase event.
You’ll find her at restaurant openings, new menu launch events and of course anything and everything interior design.
Kayla Itsines
Kayla Itsines has been incredibly busy this year, welcoming brand new baby Jax to her family and giving her daughter Arna a little brother.
She also tied the knot with her partner and father of her son Jae Woodroofe in an intimate ceremony.
This Adelaide international fitness sensation has been holding fitness events around the world.
She’s also made appearances at local charity events.
Chelsea Becirevic
Introducing the newest addition to The Advertiser’s annual list of socialites …
Chelsea Becirevic has made quite a splash since debuting her public relationship with AFL star Ivan Soldo.
Recently moving from Melbourne to Adelaide following her beau’s trade to Port Adelaide, Becirevic has plans to return to university to study biomedical science next year.
The latest WAG has made many event appearances including the Jack Dyer Medal event.
She is a social media influencer with over 72,000 followers on Instagram.
Brooke Upton
One of the younger socialites on the list, Brooke Upton has continued to go from strength to strength this year.
Just shy of 90,000 Instagram followers Upton is the state’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’s tight-knit content group which went to popular music festival Splendour in the Grass.
Hayley Berlingeri
Mum-of-three and model Hayley Berlingeri is often rubbing shoulders with Adelaide’s most influential individuals.
This year she’s attended the most luxe fashion events including couture+love+madness’s latest collection launch, the Clarins Precious launch event and, like so many of Adelaide’s top socialites, Adelaide Fashion Week.
She can also be spotted trackside at various horse races.
Rebecca Morse
Adelaide journalist, news reader and radio presenter Rebecca Morse hasn’t had a spare moment all year.
In between hosting events, attending events, radio and ambassadors gigs, she still makes time to consult for brand The Style Hosts.
There’s been attendance at Adelaide Fashion Week, Aston Studio’s brunch and Two Pairs Homewares Christmas showcase event.
And let’s not forget, the opening night of the ballet, Port Adelaide Football club events and charitable days out, Morse is one of the busiest socialites on this list.
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 soirees and theatre opening nights.
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.
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Originally published as South Australia’s top 20 socialites that ruled the social calendar in 2023
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