For several months, Melbourne’s elite circles have been buzzing with rumors of a rift between two prominent women, each married to well-known figures, who reportedly don’t get along.

Rozalia Russian and Sarah Lucas have been the subject of speculation since May, with reports suggesting they are not on speaking terms. While neither has addressed the rumors publicly, the signs of discord continue to emerge.

The gossip gained traction when the pair was noticeably distant in a group photo featuring the city’s high-profile socialites, hinting at underlying tensions.

The situation escalated in August when Rozalia was absent from a gender reveal party hosted by eveningwear designer Effie Kats at the chic French eatery Maison Bâtard, which further fueled the speculation.

This restaurant happens to be owned by Sarah’s husband, Chris Lucas, a notable figure in the culinary scene.

Now, the plot thickens: Rozalia, 37, was conspicuously absent from Effie’s baby shower on Monday – an event attended by Sarah – fuelling fresh speculation about tensions between the two. 

For months, whispers have floated among Melbourne high society that Rozalia Russian (left) and Sarah Lucas (right) – both prominent women with famous husbands – don’t see eye to eye

Notably, the baby shower was hosted at another Chris Lucas-owned venue, Society, located on Melbourne’s Collins Street. 

It was an intimate gathering – by high society standards – attended by Jade Kisnorbo, Jessie Murphy and Chris Kontos.

While Nadia Bartel and Bec Judd were also MIA, it was the absence of Rozalia that piqued the interest of local gossips, with some questioning if her no-show was related to Sarah. 

Daily Mail has contacted Rozalia, Sarah and other guests for comment. 

Meanwhile, Effie looked every inch the glowing mother-to-be in a gallery of photos she proudly shared to Instagram earlier this week. 

The fashion mogul wore a baby pink chiffon dress of her own design – hinting she is set to welcome a baby girl with finance broker husband James Cerolini.

She posed for photos with several noteworthy guests, including one group shot with Sarah, events designer Shirin Pulitano, and interior designer Lauren Tarrant.

Rozalia, a former ballerina, was nowhere to be seen in the gallery of images, despite her close friend and podcast co-host Lana Wilkinson making an appearance.

Rozalia was a notable absence at eveningwear designer Effie Kats’ recent baby shower, which was held at Society in Melbourne – a venue owned by Sarah’s restaurateur husband Chris Lucas. (Pictured from left: Sarah Lucas, Effie Kats, Shirin Pulitano and Lauren Tarrant)

However, she did express her well-wishes in the comments section, writing to Effie beneath the post: ‘Gorgeous!! Can’t wait to meet her x.’

Rozalia had also skipped Effie’s gender reveal party earlier this year – a conspicuous absence, and one that raised eyebrows given the venue was owned by the Lucas family.

Several big names from Melbourne’s in-crowd descended on Maison Bâtard for that event. But again, Rozalia’s presence was only felt in the comments section on Instagram afterwards as she said she ‘wished’ she could’ve been there. 

Rozalia, married to bar baron Nick Russian, shares the same tight-knit social circle with Sarah, but Melbourne society observers note they rarely appear together in recent photos.

While the exact reason for this remains unclear, their decision to unfollow each other on Instagram is telling.

Rozalia’s close friend and podcast co-host Lana Wilkinson was in attendance, making her no-show all the more curious

The last time the two socialites were photographed together was in May – and they posed at the polar-opposite ends of the group shot. 

Previously married to Steven Lew, the son of billionaire retail magnate Solomon Lew, Sarah wed her second husband, hospitality titan Chris, in Venice in 2023.

They tied the knot in the same ballroom where George and Amal Clooney said ‘I do’.

Sarah’s teen daughter Bella Lew is also considered a rising star of high-society.

In addition to marrying into money, Sarah hails from wealthy Toorak stock – her parents listed their mansion in the ritzy suburb for $8million in 2017.

Following her 2011 divorce from Steven, the Lew family reached a settlement with Sarah that was never disclosed but rumoured to have been an extraordinary windfall. 

Rozalia and Sarah seemed to be avoiding each other at the launch of Effie Kats’ new collection in Sydney in May, standing at polar-opposite ends of this group shot. (Pictured from left: Rozalia Russian, Jade Kisnorbo, Effie Kats, Nadia Bartel, Lana Wilkinson and Sarah Lucas)

If there is indeed a rift with Rozalia, it wouldn’t be the first time Sarah has had a brouhaha with a notable socialite.

In 2023, she reportedly fell out with Effie over how paparazzi discovered the location of Sarah’s Venice wedding. 

Months later, Sarah failed to attend Effie’s wedding at St Patrick’s Cathedral.

Though, if there was once a rift, it appears they have since made up, given Sarah’s attendance at Effie’s baby shower. 

Sarah’s husband Chris is the mastermind behind some of Melbourne’s most upmarket and stylish restaurants, including Yakimono, Grill Americano and Chin Chin.

The Lucases were named one of Melbourne’s power couples in 2022.

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