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It was the hottest ticket in town, with Hollywood A-listers, fashion royalty and Sydney's social set descending on Barangaroo for Chanel's historic Australian runway show.
But while Nicole Kidman and Margot Robbie led the glamorous arrivals, several familiar faces from Australia's fashion and society circles were nowhere to be seen.
Among those conspicuously absent was fashion influencer Elle Ferguson, who has long been one of the brand's most devoted local fans.
The former fashion blogger, who co-founded the website They All Hate Us, has made no secret of her love for the French fashion house, regularly showing off her extensive collection of designer handbags.
Earlier this year, Elle even claimed she was the first person in Paris to get her hands on Chanel's coveted Maxi Flap bag, documenting the purchase in a string of highly enthusiastic Instagram posts.
But despite her apparent devotion to the brand, Elle was not spotted among the guests at Thursday's exclusive event.
Several familiar faces from Australia's fashion and society circles were nowhere to be seen at Chanel's ultra-exclusive runway show in Sydney on Thursday
Among those conspicuously absent was influencer Elle Ferguson, who has long been one of the brand's most devoted local fans. Earlier this year, Elle claimed she was the first person in Paris to get her hands on Chanel's coveted Maxi Flap bag, documenting the purchase online
Pip Edwards (left), long regarded as one of the country's most prominent fashion identities, was another notable absentee. Pilates queen Bernadette Sukkar (right) was also a no-show
In a particularly awkward coincidence, she shared a photo of herself posing with one of her Chanel handbags on Instagram just a day before the show.
She continued to share images of the bag on Thursday and Friday, making sure to tag the brand in her caption.
'Elle really is Ms Chanel in Australia. You'd think, given her status and spending, she would have been there. People were talking,' one society snitch told the Daily Mail.
But Elle wasn't the only prominent fashion personality missing from the occasion.
Curiously, activewear entrepreneur Pip Edwards – long regarded as one of the country's most photographed fashion identities – was another notable absentee.
Other familiar names from the social set who many expected to attend but didn't include radio star Jackie 'O' Henderson, socialite Lisa Wipfli, Bondi Pilates studio owner Bernadette Sukkar and fashion influencer Montarna McDonald.
Socialite Deborah Symond O'Neil, the daughter of Aussie Home Loans founder John Symond, and her sister-in-law Lou O'Neil were also absent.
Hollywood heart-throb Jacob Elordi was another surprise no-show.
The Australian actor, known for his roles in Euphoria and Saltburn, has an established relationship with Chanel, having been named a global ambassador for its Bleu de Chanel fragrance – but did not appear at the Sydney spectacular.
Socialite Lisa Wipfli, wife of radio star Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli, was not in attendance
Socialite sisters-in-law Lou O'Neil (left) and Deborah Symond-O'Neil (right) did not attend
Meanwhile, a number of well-known local faces did make the cut.
Among those spotted at the event was Sarah Lucas, the wife of Melbourne restaurateur Chris Lucas and one of Chanel's biggest spenders Down Under; so-called 'Queen of the Birdcage' Jaimee Belle Kennedy; Paddington interior designer Tamsin Johnson; and socialites Stephanie May and Kate Champion.
Also in attendance were 'chicken heiress' Jess Ingham and Laura Hazzouri, the wife of Revelop co-founder and newly minted billionaire Charbel Hazzouri.
It's unclear whether former friends Jess and Laura exchanged a word at the runway show, with their icy relationship long the subject of whispers in Sydney's east.
The guest list also featured an impressive mix of Australian entertainment royalty, sporting champions and fashion industry heavyweights.
Pop superstar Kylie Minogue was among the biggest names in attendance, joining Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman and Barbie star Margot Robbie for the landmark occasion.
Nicole's daughter Faith Kidman Urban, 15, was also in tow.
It was a family affair for the Kidman clan, with Nicole's sister Antonia Kidman also in attendance.
Elsewhere, film-maker Baz Luhrmann, Olympic champion Cathy Freeman and DJ Dom Dolla were spotted, while actor Joel Edgerton arrived alongside his partner, Vogue Australia editor-in-chief Christine Centenera.
Among those spotted at the event was Sarah Lucas, a prominent Chanel client and socialite
Socialite Stephanie May and influencer Jaimee Belle Kennedy made the cut
Socialite Laura Hazzouri (left), the wife of Revelop co-founder and newly minted billionaire Charbel Hazzouri, shared photos from inside the exclusive event
It's unclear whether former friends Jess Ingham (pictured) and Laura Hazzouri exchanged a word at the runway show, with their icy relationship long the subject of whispers in the east
Nicole Kidman made a glamorous appearance at the VIP event
Other familiar faces included tennis great Lleyton Hewitt and his daughter Mia, who has followed in her mother's footsteps into modelling, as well as Australian surfing star Jack Robinson.
Fashion designer Jenny Kee, artist Louise Olsen and a host of Australian models and creatives also turned out for the occasion.
The event featured two runway presentations, at 2.30pm and 6pm, with guests treated to a showcase of Chanel's Cruise 2026-27 collection by creative director Matthieu Blazy.
The collection was originally unveiled in Biarritz, France, in April, with the Sydney presentation marking the first time the French fashion house had staged an official runway show on Australian soil.
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