Sydney’s social season returned with a flurry over the first weekend of spring as four high-profile events played out across the CBD and eastern suburbs in a compressed 36-hour period. Stylist Caroline Tran was one of the busiest figures of the weekend, appearing at three separate functions.
The series of events opened on Friday with hospitality entrepreneur Justin Hemmes’ launch of The Press, a late-night music bar in Bridge Lane. The venue drew a crowd of socialites and industry figures, with guests arriving in a mix of eveningwear and fashion-forward looks. Among those photographed at the launch were Simone Holtznagel, who attended in a sheer beige dress and strappy gold heels, Hemmes’ partner Madeline Holtznagel, Chloe Hayes, Rebekah Giles, Shelley Sullivan and interior designer Josh Clapp. Also in attendance were stylist Caroline Tran and Giorgio Armani publicist Billy Mitchell with his husband Michael Porter. Imogen Anthony and Kings Cross figure John Ibrahim were among others spotted at the CBD opening.
While the launch unfolded in the city, an eastern suburbs residence hosted a separate celebration: eyebrow technician Kristin Fisher marked her 40th birthday with a late-night party described by guests as lively. Fisher wore a short white lace dress and was filmed dancing on tables, according to attendees. The gathering reportedly included photographic place settings or invitations referencing Fisher’s local media profile and the slogan "GET OVER ME!", a phrase she has used on social media. Fisher was joined by her sister Kate Bond and a number of social figures, with Pilates instructor Bernadette Sukkar — also known as Bernadette Fahey — noted as the most prominent name on the guest list.
On Saturday, the social round continued with a baby shower for heiress Lou O'Neil at Bert’s Bar & Brasserie. O'Neil, who is expecting her second child with property developer Jake O'Neil, was joined by friends and well-known members of the eastern suburbs set. Attendees at the midday event included PR executive Montarna McDonald and Caroline Tran, who was photographed at her second engagement of the weekend. Guests enjoyed a selection of canapés and cocktails as the group celebrated the impending arrival.
Later that evening Bernadette Sukkar hosted a themed dinner at Japanese restaurant Tanuki in Double Bay, drawing another cross-section of the city’s social scene. The party embraced a 1990s sitcom motif inspired by The Nanny, with Sukkar opting for a mini blazer dress evoking the character C.C. Babcock and many guests dressing in period-appropriate looks. Among those present were Chelsea Svoboda, Bondi model Casey James and interior designer Jade Yarbrough. Caroline Tran completed her trio of appearances when she attended this event, having been seen earlier at the launch and the baby shower.
Across the weekend there were smaller moments noted by onlookers: Shelley Sullivan, founder of cosmetics firm ModelCo, was photographed appearing affectionate with Perth businessman Grant Schaffer; other guests included artist Daimon Downey and public figures with ties to media and hospitality. The sequence of events indicated an active return to in-person society gatherings after a quieter winter period.
Organisers and hosts used a mix of private residences, restaurant dining rooms and a newly opened nightlife venue to stage the weekend’s events. Hemmes’ The Press is positioned as a late-night music bar in the CBD, while Bert’s and Tanuki remain established venues for private lunches and themed dinners in the eastern suburbs. The clustered schedule, featuring launches, milestone birthdays, showers and themed soirées, illustrates the breadth of the city’s social calendar as it moves into spring.