sydneysocial

Social Spy** THE AUSTRALIAN WALK OF STYLE OFFICIAL UNVEILING EVENT – 6 NEW WALK OF STYLE PLAQUES REVEALED

Last night saw the fashion glitterati descend upon The Intersection in Paddington to unveil plaques for six iconic Sydney designers!

Paying homage to homegrown talent, VIP guests included plaque recipients; Carla Zampatti, sisters Simone and Nicky Zimmerman, Designer Merivale Hemmes and Interior Designer Bettina Hemmes of House of Merivale, Adele Weiss of Weiss Art, Lydia Pearson and Pamela Easton of Eastern Pearson and Gerry, Jackie and Kelly Recek of Simona.

Other guests included model Nikki Phillips, Fashion identity Pip Edwards, model come blogger Tanja Gacic from My Empirical Life, They All Hate Us bloggers Elle Ferguson & Tash Sefton, executive designer for RM Williams Jonathan Ward, model and designer Gail Elliot with husband Joe Coffey, celebrity evening gown and wedding dress designer Steven Khalil with partner,TV presenter and columnist Zoe Balbi, actress and presenter Casey Burgess,Today Show team beauties Jacinta Campbell and Sylvia Jeffreys, Opposition leader Tony Abbott’s daughters Bridget and Frances Abbott,

Lauren Brandt of Hi5, Celebrity Apprentice adviser Deborah Thomas, former Mayor of Woollahra Municipal Council Susan Wynne, founder of Australian Fashion Week and 2010 fashion laureate Simon Lock,The Intersection property developer and proponent of the Australian Walk of Style Theo Onisforou, and a host of other glamorous Sydney celebrities, Australia’s fashion media and home-grown designers.

W H E R E : The Intersection, Paddington (corner of Glenmore Road and Oxford Street) W H E N : Tuesday 2 April 2013, 6.30pm – 8.30pm

The streets of Paddington were filled with upbeat DJ tunes as hundreds of Sydney’s most stylish flocked to support

The 2nd Annual Australian Walk of Style event at The Intersection Paddington.The event honoured six iconic Australian designers, whose names were cast in bronze and laid in stone on the Oxford Street footpath, a permanent tribute to their enduring success in the Australian fashion industry.

The Australian Walk of Style welcomed six new recipients – Zimmerman, Simona, House of Merivale, Easton Pearson, Weiss, and Carla Zampatti, with their names immortalised in polished brass plaques, recognizing their outstanding contribution to the Australian Fashion industry. Australian Fashion Week founder and 2010 Fashion Laureate recipient Simon Lock officially welcomed guests, before presenting the 2013 Australian Walk of Style commemorative plaques.

The event also unveiled the prestigious Who’s Who of Australian fashion Top 100 most influential fashion identities from 1962 -2012.The list was voted on by Australia’s five Fashion Laureates: Akira Isagowa, Collette Dinnigan, Carla Zampatti, Pamela Easton & Lydia Pearson and Simon Lock.The Who’s Who list is cast in bronze and on permanent display at The Intersection Paddington and can also be viewed on The Intersection Paddington website.

Models, celebrities, fashion designers and bloggers walked the 55 metre red carpet amidst sparks of camera flashes as local media and street style photographers clambered to capture the evening’s most chic ensembles. Guests were treated to fruity Chombard cocktails, sparkling flutes of Moet, Santa Vittoria mineral water and a delicate selection of canapés and mini desserts.After the official proceedings,the stylish crowd continued to enjoy the mild autumn evening – celebrating and honouring Australia’s vast fashion talent.

The AustralianWalk of Style is the creation of property developer, The Intersection founder and fashion industry visionary Theo Onisforou.After years of planning and with the support ofWoollahra Municipal Council and the Paddington Chamber of Commerce,Theo’s dream of creating the ‘home of Australian fashion’ is a reality as The Australian Walk of Style event cements its place in the annual fashion calendar.The ‘walk of fashion stardom’ will continue to grow and recognise those who deserve everlasting recognition for their exemplary achievements within the Australian fashion industry as more plaques are added over the coming years.

Sydney Social 101 simply can’t wait!

Social Spy** SALT retreat launch -Bondi

Last week saw a gathering of more than 60 of Australia’s most famous faces for the launch of luxury Bali-based health resort, SALT Retreats at Pete Evan’s Bondi store.

Guests were led down a green carpet to stand in front of a media wall constructed with live plants. They then moved into the depths of the store, where they were served an organic Balinese-inspired menu of smoked trout and coconut sambal on cucumber, tempeh with green beans and chilli relish, spiced chicken skewers, carob treats and blueberry and coconut popsicles.

Hollywood Boulevard was recreated with celebrity hand prints in specially created SALT Retreats sand pits.

To keep energy levels high, the celebrities were given a range of non-alcoholic drinking options, from fresh young coconuts to green juice shots.

Entertainment was by Triple J Unearthed finalists, Merpire and at the end of the night, lucky attendee – Deborah Hutton won an all-expenses paid trip to experience SALT Retreats, Seminyak first-hand.

Easter news: CELEBRATE EASTER WITH CHOCOLATE BY THE BALD MAN

Easter is just a bunny hop away, and to celebrate the most indulgent long weekend of the year, Australia’s favourite chocolate based cafe, Max Brenner, is introducing its new and utterly delectable, 2013 Easter Collection.

Conjuring up choc-filled memories of Easter’s past, this unique gift range is true to the Max Brenner vision – offering a deliciously wonderful and nostalgic experience with each and every bite. From mouth-watering chocolate bars to traditional chocolate eggs, the opportunities are endless when it comes to satisfying (and spoiling) even the most discerning choc-lover:

Classic Fine Chocolate Egg; deliciously smooth and rich chocolate eggs, this traditional favourite is perfect for Easter hunts with the family… or to enjoy all to yourself. Available in milk or dark chocolate ($2.50, 40g or 10 eggs $22.50, 400g).

Max’s Box of Chox; for big and small kids a-like, Max’s Box of Chox contains 20 solid pure milk chocolate egglets. Personalise with your special message, and this becomes the ultimate Easter gift. (RRP: $9.80, 150g)

The Speck-tacular Egg; playfully artistic in design, this delicious and extravagant Easter treat is inspired by Max Brenner’s best-selling product, Nuts (caramelised pecans rolled in rich praline cream and fine cocoa powder)! Featuring rich milk chocolate speckled with unpredictable pecan chunks and crunchy toffee bits: this is truly a treasure among eggs…. (RRP: $16.00, 120g).

Max Brenner Chocolate Bars; presented in chic and colourful packaging, the Max Brenner Chocolate Bars redefine the traditional ‘Chocolate Bar’. Deliciously sleek in nature, these thin Chocolate Bars are available in milk chocolate with caramel pieces and sea salt and Dark Chocolate with caramelized cocoa nibs– drool! (RRP: $8.00, 100g)

White Chocolate studded with Colourful Chocolate Buttons; Let your childhood fantasies come true with these addictive chunky white chocolate slabs studded with colourful chocolate buttons. Deliciously fun for the mini Max’s or for the inner-child in all of us (RRP: Sold by weight, $10 per 100g)

Praline Mixed With Peanut Butter; one of Max’s best selling Pralines comes alive this Easter with a deliciously festive print. Buy these moorish milk chocolate Pralines mixed with peanut butter individually or add them to one of Max’s many Praline boxes. (RRP: $1.90 each, or Box of 9 $21.00)

So whether you’re looking to spoil yourself or your loved ones this Easter, hop to your closest Max Brenner Chocolate Bar or Shop your Experience on the Online Shop (www.shop.maxbrenner.com.au) – the go-to-place for chocolate goodness this Easter.

For more information about Max Brenner or to visit your closest Chocolate Bar location visit the Max Brenner website: http://www.maxbrenner.com.au

What’s on: The Strand Arcade is seeking out all chocolate lovers!

With the Easter long weekend upon us, The Strand Arcade is seeking out all chocolate lovers!

The Strand Arcade boasts an abundance of succulently sweet retailers including Haigh’s Chocolates, French inspired patisserie Sweet Infinity and boutique chocolatier Bon Bon Fine Chocolates to satisfy every craving.

The Strand Arcade takes the indulgence one step further, with the chance for one lucky shopper to win a year’s supply of Haigh’s chocolates. Yum!

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What’s on: Hit Your Sweet Spot at the Soda Factory this Long Weekend

Forget about your choco eggs, ‘cause The Soda Factory’s got much sweeter treats lined up for you this Easter…

Hop into Soda on Saturday for a special encore of the granddaddy of hip hop, Grandmaster Flash, who couldn’t stay away after last week’s pumping gig, and then Sunday, fresh from NYC, The Beatnuts will be raising the roof. The Easter Bunny’s being very generous this year!

SAT 30-MAR Grandmaster Flash himself will be in the house for an encore show this Saturday

The one and only Grandmaster Flash himself will be in the house for an encore show this Saturday. Following the massive success of last week’s gig, this DJ pioneer will be smashing out hits on the decks once again, so don’t miss out on an intimate gig with one of the forefathers of hiphop. Grandmaster invented some of most heavily used DJ techniques around today, so expect the real-deal and old-skool sampling gems all the way from the 70s. The Soda Factory will be open from 5pm to 5am, tickets are $20.

SUN 31-MAR The Beatnuts all the way from Queens, New York

And it ain’t over yet! Get back on that party horse on Sunday night as The Soda Factory brings you duo The Beatnuts all the way from Queens, New York. Join JuJu and Psycho Les as they hit the decks and drop a ultra-rare soul, funk and disco DJ set. These boys have been producing and DJing since 1989, so see how it’s really done on the Factory decks. The best part is, the gig is completely free! Bring your friends, order up some drinks and stick around, The Soda Factory will be open from 5pm to 2am.

Every Weeknight Goodies

Join us in this gastro-cinematic multi-sensory special for Pulp Kitchen every Wednesday featuring Vincent and Mia’s favourites The Royale with Cheese, The Big Kahoona Burger, The $5 Shake (alcoholic), french fries & mayo and of course, fried chicken… and everything on the menu is only five bucks!

Don’t forget that the delicious deals and cinema appreciation continue throughout the week at The Soda Factory with your favourite flicks on Movie Mondays every Monday at 7:30pm, and ridiculously cheap sausages at Dollar Dogs every Tuesday.

The Soda Factory is fast becoming the watering hole of choice for hot bands and celebs alike. Just recently, hit makers Bloc Party were seen kicking back behind the coke machine. With sweet old school tunes, delish dogs and killer cocktails it’s no wonder the likes of Kele, A-Trak and the other cool kids come to hang… must be something in the bubbles…

Want a taste of the action? Check out Grandmaster Flash hitting our decks last weekend here: http://www.youtube.com/thesodafactorytv

What’s on: Sydney’s iconic Harbour Bridge to be illuminated as part of major Vivid Sydney expansion and world-first

One of my all time favourite Sydney Events is Vivid Sydney! Every year it takes my breath away! The stunning light installations and ‘can’t believe my eyes’ moments leave you wanting more!

If you’re in Sydney during the Vivid activity In May and June I can’t stress highly enough how much this should be on your agenda!

NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade and Investment, Andrew Stoner, has today announced that Sydney Harbour Bridge will be the centrepiece of a new interactive light installation for Vivid Sydney, extending the Vivid Light Walk across the harbour into the North Sydney precinct for the first time.

Vivid partner, Intel Australia, has teamed up with Sydney-based lightwork innovators 32 Hundred Lighting to create a world-first immersive projection onto the bridge’s western face which will be controlled by the public from an interactive touch screen located on the Luna Park boardwalk.

From 6.00pm to midnight every night, between 24 May and 10 June, spectators will be able to choose the scene and colour of the projection beamed along the upper and lower arches and the road deck of the western face of Sydney Harbour Bridge.

32 Hundred Lighting will design the installation including 100,800 individual programmable LEDs and a state-of-the-art custom-designed software program with an interactive touch screen interface.

Mr Stoner said the extension of Vivid Light to a Sydney icon in collaboration with Intel is an exciting and ambitious expansion of Vivid Sydney in 2013.

“This year Sydney’s famous Harbour Bridge will come alive during Vivid with a spectacular display of light,” Mr Stoner said.

“In a world-first, the Harbour Bridge will become the centrepiece of an interactive light projection, allowing the public to play and interact with the bridge for the first time in its history.

“Last year Vivid attracted record crowds of more than 500,000 people. With the Sydney Harbour Bridge installation set to be visible from Balmain, North Sydney and a multitude of Harbourside vantage points on the Western side of the bridge, the event is now accessible to more people than ever before.

“In only few short years Vivid Sydney, which is owned and managed by Destination NSW, the State’s major events and tourism agency, has grown to be the largest festival of light, music and ideas in the Southern Hemisphere, and in 2013 we will raise the bar once again to showcase Sydney in its best light to attract more visitors from overseas and interstate, and promote Sydney’s world-class creative industries.”

Intel Australia’s Managing Director, Kate Burleigh, said Intel was delighted to be involved with Vivid Sydney for a third consecutive year to bring the lights of Vivid to North Sydney and one of Australia’s most internationally recognisable landmarks.

“Intel is excited to be partnering with Vivid Sydney and 32 Hundred Lighting to create an installation that will cast new light on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and showcase the amazing things that are made possible with Intel technology inside,” Ms Burleigh said.

“Technology is the digital paintbrush that makes installations like this possible. We look forward to presenting one of the showstoppers of this year’s event together with 32 Hundred Lighting and the thousands of ‘artists’ who will interact with the bridge every night.”

Intel has a history of innovative partnerships with Vivid Sydney. In 2012, Intel’s Director of Creative Innovation will.i.am visited Sydney to create a unique interactive lighting collaboration on the façade of the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia with Sydney artist Justene Williams.

Destination NSW CEO, Sandra Chipchase, said that in 2012 rising audience numbers demonstrated Vivid Sydney’s appeal to Sydneysiders, as well as interstate and international visitors.

“Vivid Sydney provides a truly global canvas and audience for our artistic, creative and business communities. The evolving 2013 program, including the spectacular installation announced today for Sydney Harbour Bridge with Vivid partner Intel, will be our most exciting to date,” Ms Chipchase said.

“Vivid Sydney is continuing to capture the attention of the global creative industry generating visitation from within our key tourism markets, and reinforcing Sydney’s position as Australia’s true global city and creative hub of the Asia Pacific.”

North Sydney Mayor Jilly Gibson said the extension of the Vivid Light Walk into North Sydney was a coup for North Shore residents, offering new opportunities for locals to participate in one of Sydney’s largest and most spectacular public events.

“North Sydney Council is a proud supporter of this extension of the Vivid Sydney footprint. North Sydney will host an artisan and food market at Bradfield Park, directly beneath the spectacular Harbour Bridge structure,” Ms Gibson said.

“Vivid Sydney festival goers will be able to absorb some of the best views of Sydney Opera House and the city from this northside park. Other key vantage points will include Luna Park and Blues Point Reserve at McMahons Point.”

The full Vivid Sydney program is available at http://vividsydney.com

Social Spy** The Courtyard Bar Launch

The Courtyard Bar, the latest addition to the Bayswater Road refresh, officially launched this week with a deluge of guests.

It’s a hot new venue that we envisage being very popular!!

Owners Alec Brown, James Reynolds and Julian Tobias celebrated the night with Darren McMullen (The Voice), Samara Weaving (Home and Away), Josh Flinn (Australia’s Next Top Model) and Hunter Page-Lochard (The Sapphires), affirming the area’s renewed status as a premier nightlife destination in Sydney.

Guests enjoyed world-class cocktails and shots by New York mixologist Jasper Soffer and partied into the night in the urban oasis.

Social Spy** London comes to Sydney for Sportsgirls Like House of Holland

Thursday 21 March, 2013; Last night Sportsgirl hosted an underground British themed celebration for the media launch of Sportsgirls like House of Holland with special guest UK fashion designer Henry Holland at Sydney’s The Hazy Rose.

The collaboration comes in the tenth year of the Sportsgirls Like initiative.

In a presentation highlighting the key looks of the capsule collection that are available now at selected Sportsgirl stores and online, Sportsgirl Fashion Forecaster Leigh Hawkes interviewed Henry about his inspiration for the Sportsgirl collaboration, with Henry explaining the origins of the graphic pattern story as coming from patchworks and proclaiming his love of “all things nanna”.

Henry entertained the crowd of fashion editors, bloggers and media types with his candid selections from aprovocative list from Leigh Hawkes, declaring his preference for Australiansunshine over UK rain, Aggy over Alexa, Cara over Kate, and Sportsgirl over Top Shop. When asked if he preferred either street or catwalk the designer asked, “Can’t I have both?”

A relaxed and chatty Henry Holland mingled with guests, taking time to pose for photographs and answer questions from the fashionable crowd who had assembled to meet the iconic designer.

Guests were treated to British inspired treats including Cucumber and Watercress sandwiches, bite sized Yorkshire Puddings with a very thirsty crowd enjoying two signature cocktails – Pimms Cups and Gin & Tonics, as well as chilled Perrier and ciders.

A rainbow of Sportsgirl coloured Jelly Belly jellybeans and mini Jammie Dodgers were served as a sweet treat to follow the seemingly endless flow of canapes.

DJ Captain Franco entertained guests with a blend of old school nineties favourites, hip hop and R&B,including tracks from Kanye West, Chingy, MIA, Lil Kim, and Henry’s favourite – Solange.

Guests at the event included Rupert Noffs with boyfriend Matty B, Dee Jenner and Gemma Keil from Instyle, Katherine Field from Sunrise, Editor Sarah Tarca and Fashion Editor Safaz Razi from Girlfriend, as well as fashion and lifestyle staff from NW, Sunday Style, and Lifestyled.

Sportsgirls like House of Holland is available in selected Sportsgirl stores and online,pieces in the collection priced from $80 to $150.

Be Social. @Sportsgirl #SportsgirlslikeHOH

HISTORY IN THE MAKING AS JIM BEAM UNVEILS THE WORLD’S LARGEST ESKY® COOLER AT ICONIC BONDI BEACH

Jim Beam, the world’s no.1 bourbon, pays tribute to the great Aussie icon

Thursday 21st March 2013 As the sun rose on Bondi Beach this morning, there was a slight change in the water temperature, as Jim Beam make history by turning the iconic Bondi Icebergs Pool into the world’s largest ESKY® cooler. The desire to set this record stems from the earliest values of founder Jacob Beam (1770 – 1834) – a pioneer and a man with history-making vision.

Today, Jim Beam is the world’s number one bourbon and make history everyday. What better way to continue the trend than by championing true icons of the Australian lifestyle, Bondi Beach and the ESKY® cooler.

Members of Channel Ten’s Bondi Rescue cast joined Bondi locals and intrigued passers-by this morning to marvel at the new Bondi skyline and unveil the gargantuan structure to the public.

Fred Noe, great-grandson of Jim Beam says, “At Jim Beam we take our bourbon making seriously, we felt the world’s number one bourbon deserved something, and somewhere, special to keep it cold – and where better than the world’s largest ESKY® cooler at Bondi Beach.

“In our family of seven generations of distillers, we don’t just say we’ll make history – we actually do it.” Continues Noe.

The huge structure took days to build and boasts some pretty impressive stats:
· The ESKY® cooler (measuring 36m by 15m) will be filled with approximately 2 million litres of water.
· Over 500 giant ice cubes.
· The giant structure will hold 33 supersized Jim Beam cans (1960mm diameter at a height of 3920mm).
· This ESKY® cooler has been designed to work with the infrastructure of the iconic pool – the water will float the cans, and ice, to the optimal level to give the perception that the giant cans can be easily grabbed.

Fashion 101: SOYA 365 Fashion Finalists

We’re huge fans of all things fashion here at Sydney Social 101, with Mercedes Benz Fashion Week just around the corner, we can practically smell the influx of fashionistas charging in Sydney’s direction.

Just recently Nicky & Simone Zimmermann have completed the difficult task of choosing the top 15 entrants in this year’s SOYA 365 fashion category.

These outstanding designers are in the running to win a 12 month mentorship with the Zimmermann ladies plus $10,000 worth of cash and Qantas flights.

The full list can be viewed here: http://www.soya.com.au/competition/fashion-2013/#finalists

The finalists include the following;

Emma Mulholland of Redfern who was named as a runner up last year and continues to impress with her statement pieces – http://www.soya.com.au/entrant/emma-mulholland/.

The much loved John Schembri is also in the running and has gone from strength to strength after being named a finalist last year – http://www.soya.com.au/entrant/johnny-schembri/.

Queensland shoe designer Shannon Gun is also in the running thanks to his gorgeously designed footwear – http://www.soya.com.au/entrant/tom-gunn/.

Stunning combinations of leather, fur and wool have also secured Kaylene Milner’s label Strum & Drang a spot in the top 15 – http://www.soya.com.au/entrant/kaylene/.