MAAS Center for Fashion Ball, Sydney
WHAT: The inaugural MAAS Center for Fashion Ball, a fundraiser for the Australian Fashion Fund.
WHERE: The Powerhouse Museum in Sydney.
WHO: Models Catherine McNeil and Jesinta Franklin, Elyse Taylor and Nicole Pollard; actress Phoebe Tonkin; designers Michael Lo Sordo, Rebecca Vallance and Simone Zimmermann; and fashion editors Kellie Hush and Edwina McCann.
BEST DRESSED: Jesinta Franklin in Toni Mateski; Cat McNeil wearing bold-shouldered Balenciaga; Christine Centenera in black Rosie Assoulin; and pared-back beauty Phoebe Tonkin’s simple white gown by Christopher Esber and Tiffany jewelry.
Antipodean models, designers and editors gathered to celebrate and support the Australian fashion industry at the inaugural MAAS Center for Fashion Ball in Sydney last night. The country’s sartorial power was in full view, with the museum’s archive of key pieces – including the koala sweater designed by Jenny Kee for Princess Diana in 1982 – displayed for the lucky guests under the huge Museum of the Moon, a seven-meter sphere artwork by Luke Jerram, unveiled to coincide with the evening’s real-life supermoon.
PORTER caught up with some of the stylish attendees to talk dressing up and party prowess…
Catherine McNeil, model
What are you wearing tonight? “A Balenciaga dress, Alaïa shoes and a Fendi clutch.”
What’s your party style? “Always very Helmut Newton-esque.”
What’s the secret to throwing a great party? “Great company, great tunes and flowing champagne.”
Who are your dream dinner-party companions? “Meryl Streep and Pink for their strong opinions and work ethics.”
Simone Zimmermann, designer
What are you wearing tonight? “Zimmermann, of course!”
What’s the secret to throwing a great party? “A fun guest list – I don’t want to go to a party and have serious conversations, I want to have fun with people who’ll laugh and misbehave.”
Elyse Taylor, model
What are you wearing tonight? “Michael Lo Sordo – my highlight so far is bumping into him on the red carpet while wearing one of his designs.”
What’s your party style? “Classic, clean and comfortable.”
What’s the secret to throwing a great party? “Nailing the seating plan.”
Rebecca Vallance, designer
What are you wearing tonight? “One of my favorite gowns from our FW18 collection – the one we’ll show in New York in a few weeks’ time.”
Who are your dream dinner-party companions? “Grace Coddington or Michelle Obama – I love strong women.”
See the full story in PORTER’s Spring 2018 issue, on sale now
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