1 week ago
12
Welcome to The Group Chat with Lucy Manly, where Australia's most trusted society insider shares the hottest gossip before it makes the news.
Prada upstaged
It speaks volumes about the state of Sydney's socialite set that last week's much-hyped Prada party - billed as an unmissable event - drew barely any A‑listers.
Despite Silver Party chair Maree Andrews (née Tzaneros) meticulously curating the soirée's guest list, the turnout was decidedly underwhelming.
There was a mixed bag of B-list fixtures: tracksuit queen Pip Edwards, nude artist Dina Broadhurst, WA-based model Rebecca Jobson and chicken heiress Jessica Ingham all made an appearance, but those with the most social clout were elsewhere.
Across town in Centennial Park, the real main event unfurled: Aussie Home Loans heiress Deb Symond O'Neil - the daughter of John Symond - and her husband, Addenbrooke managing director Ned O'Neil, hosted a lavish Wuthering Heights–themed soirée for her 38th birthday at their jaw-dropping $20.5million residence.
'It' girl Deborah Symond O'Neil threw a lavish birthday party that trumped the Prada party
Deb's socialite sisters-in-law Lou O'Neil (right) and interior designer Poppy Tzaneros (nee O'Neil) were also spotted enjoying the festivities
No expense was spared for the OTT party, with guests including Pilates queen Bernadette Sukkar, PR guru Montarna McDonald and designer Michael Lo Sordo
Now this guest list was the real Who's Who of the eastern suburbs circuit: Pilates queen Bernadette Sukkar, PR guru Montarna McDonald, entrepreneur Alyce Tran, designer Michael Lo Sordo, plus Four Seasons Condoms heir Michael Porter and his fashion publicist husband Billy Mitchell all turned out.
Perhaps most tellingly, even Maree's sister Barbara Coombes (née Tzaneros) spent a hot minute at the Prada party before skipping off in favour of Deb's knees-up.
Still, one thing the Prada party did have going for it was a few new romances.
Three high-profile guests rocked up with new men on their gym-honed arms.
Dina, 50, fresh from her split from appliances heir John 'Herman' Winning Jr after an exhausting on-again-off-again courtship, arrived with dashing German entrepreneur Danny Tchalaby, who can't be much older than 30.
Rebecca was seen getting cosy with Sydney man-about-town Charles 'Chugga' Hinckfuss after her split from retired professional surfer Taj Burrow.
And of course, Pip of P.E Nation fame arrived with her flavour of the month, business consultant Nicholas Nogarotto.
In the end, Prada had the label - but Deb had the guest list.
Chicken heiress Jessica Ingham (left, with friend) was among the guests at the Prada opening
Barbara Coombes made a cameo at the Prada soiree thrown together by her sister Maree, before hot-footing it to Deb's Wuthering Heights party
Party like it's 1977
There were no doubt sore heads the morning after Ellie Malouf rang in her 30th in unapologetically glittering style.
The birthday girl - daughter of Australia's richest garbo Ian Malouf and wife Larissa - threw a Studio 54–themed bash high above the city in her parents' jaw-dropping CBD penthouse.
She hosted about 150 of her closest friends, who leaned all the way into the brief, donning sequins, feathers and platform heels.
If Instagram photos are anything to go by, the usually sleek residence was transformed into a full-blown disco fever dream.
Guests reportedly danced well into the early hours, with whispers the party didn’t wind down until sunrise.
Birthday girl Ellie Malouf pictured with her Rich Lister dad Ian Malouf in the background
The Studio 54–themed bash was held high above the city at Ian and Larissa Malouf’s jaw-dropping CBD penthouse
Perched atop the ANZ commercial tower, the sprawling four-bedroom apartment is less 'penthouse' and more private resort
Not that the setting hurt. Perched atop the ANZ commercial tower, the sprawling four-bedroom apartment is less 'penthouse' and more private resort, complete with a rooftop level boasting a cabana lounge and pool, plus uninterrupted views of Sydney.
Ellie, who is CEO and co-founder of Ahoy Club, has built a name for herself in luxury yachting, and her business is behind some of the city's most eye-catching superyachts, including the ever-glamorous M/Y MISCHIEF.
Big trouble in Double Bay
Colourful Sydney businessman 'Big Jim' Byrnes certainly knows how to make an entrance.
The larger-than-life debt collector turned heads at Downing Centre Local Court on Monday, stepping out in an all-white ensemble like it was the French Riviera.
He was there over a matter stemming from a late-night dust-up with nightclub boss Julian Tobias at the Bedouin nightclub in Double Bay after the 2023 Melbourne Cup.
The court heard revellers had been spilling out of the venue rather worse for wear, with staff scrambling to restore order as the champagne-soaked night began to unravel.
According to testimony and security footage, Byrnes allegedly witnessed a young woman in distress, and in true Big Jim fashion, didn't hesitate to step in.
An argument broke out between 'Big Jim' Byrnes and nightclub boss Julian Tobias (pictured)
Footage showed Byrnes being restrained by two men while Tobias appeared to get involved in the scuffle. Byrnes then allegedly fired back with a headbutt
As security swooped, the situation escalated and Byrnes found himself tangled up with Tobias and his crew.
Footage showed Byrnes being restrained by two men while Tobias appeared to get involved in the scuffle. Byrnes then allegedly fired back with a headbutt.
Byrnes, once a financial adviser to late billionaire Alan Bond, was subsequently slapped with charges of affray and common assault. Tobias walked away scot-free.
The matter has finally come to a conclusion, with Magistrate Lambino clearing Byrnes of all charges.
New to DailyMail+? Here are our most-read stories from the past week
LIZ JONES: Why so many are now gravely concerned by this picture of Kate and William
English (US) ·