In Sydney’s fiercely competitive social world, there is an unwritten rule: if you have to ask who made the guest list, chances are your name is not on it.
That rule was on full display this week at billionaire hospitality magnate Justin Hemmes’ expansive Vaucluse residence, The Hermitage. Behind its gates, a carefully selected group of Australia’s most influential figures gathered for an event insiders have already labelled the city’s newest social battleground.
The intimate cocktail party acted as an unofficial prelude to Chanel’s much-anticipated Cruise 2026/27 show, a fashion event that has captivated Sydney’s social scene.
The French luxury house has achieved something few brands manage: transforming a runway presentation into one of the country’s most coveted invitations.
Judging by Hemmes’ guest list, the race for a place at the show has become intensely competitive.
Sources told the Daily Mail that the gathering at The Hermitage appeared less like a standard party and more like a roll call of Australia’s most connected names.
Justin Hemmes hosted a party at his Vaucluse estate, The Hermitage, on Wednesday night to mark Chanel’s first fashion show in Australia on Thursday. Margot Robbie, far right, was the guest of honour. She is pictured with Hemmes and his partner, Madeline Holtznagel
Madeline Holtznagel and Margot Robbie both wore Chanel looks from the Cruise 2026/27 collection
The cocktail party offered a glamorous preview of Chanel’s highly anticipated Cruise 2026/27 show, which has sparked excitement across Sydney’s social set
Justin Hemmes, Madeline Holtznagel and Margot Robbie were seen enjoying drinks on one of the property’s balconies
The trio appeared deep in an animated conversation
Hollywood star Margot Robbie, actor Joel Edgerton, Vogue Australia editor-in-chief Christine Centenera and Mia Hewitt, daughter of tennis champion Lleyton Hewitt and actor Bec Hewitt, were among those seen arriving at the harbourfront property.
The Inspired Unemployed’s Matt Ford and Jack Steele were also part of the handpicked crowd, joining internationally known DJ and producer KSMBA, fashion personality Nathan Tito, emerging basketball player Charlisse Leger-Walker, acclaimed photographer Lachlan Bailey and DJ Milly Gattegno.
Hemmes took centre stage as host, welcoming guests alongside his partner, Madeline Holtznagel, as they made their way into the sandstone estate overlooking Sydney Harbour.
Guests were treated to canapés and Chablis, while several were photographed smoking during the evening.
A sizeable group of talent agents, publicists and media figures was also reportedly in attendance.
As impressive as Wednesday’s gathering was, the most coveted invitation remained access to Chanel’s runway presentation on Thursday.
For selected guests, the invitation was so elaborate that it quickly became content for social media in its own right.
Mia Hewitt, far left, and her bandmate were among those invited, alongside Faders DJ Milly Gattegno, far right
Lleyton and Bec Hewitt’s daughter was photographed smoking a cigarette
Fashion photographer Lachlan Bailey chatted with actor Joel Edgerton and his partner, Vogue Australia editor-in-chief Christine Centenera
Singer KSMBA was seen arriving at the party
Nathan Tito was also included on the exclusive guest list
Charlisse Leger-Walker, middle left, was pictured with singer Jacoténe, middle right
Justin Hemmes was seen overseeing the evening’s festivities
Sources told the Daily Mail that The Hermitage guest list resembled a gathering of Australia’s most powerful and connected figures
Each invitation featured the recipient’s name handwritten on the package. Inside was a silver necklace with a clam-shell pendant that opened to reveal an engraving of the event’s name, along with a 3D dolphin tail surrounded by ripples of water.
Within hours, recipients began sharing the invitations online, setting off speculation among influencers, fashion agencies and members of the so-called Old Money set.
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At a time when luxury labels increasingly favour digital invitations, Chanel’s traditional approach was widely viewed as a mark of exclusivity.
Each Instagram Story featuring the necklace prompted fresh questions about who had been invited—and who had not.
Those believed to have secured invitations include Laura Hazzouri, Deborah Symond O’Neil, Caro Tran and Melbourne socialite Sarah Lucas.
Hollywood names Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi were also expected to attend. Chanel ambassadors Nicole Kidman and Margot Robbie arrived at Sydney Airport on Wednesday ahead of the presentation.
According to sources, the invitations were distributed among a carefully selected combination of established society figures, fashion insiders, luxury customers and a limited number of content creators able to project Chanel’s message to millions.
Waiters circulated with an assortment of canapés prepared by chefs from Hemmes’ Merivale group
Milly Gattegno made a stylish entrance in a plunging black velvet dress paired with a tuxedo jacket
Matt Ford of The Inspired Unemployed wore a pale beige suit
Fashion stylist Hans Hambali was also among the invited guests
Talent agents Dace McLuckie and Aran Michael were spotted arriving at the estate
Katrina Israel, left, editor of Wish magazine for The Australian, was pictured with Alison Veness, centre, Vogue’s editor-at-large
Naturally, an invitation this exclusive also sparked discussion about the people left beyond the velvet rope. Chanel’s Australian rollout has proved to be no exception.
Much of the attention centred on influencer and luxury fashion designer Elle Ferguson, who is widely regarded as one of Australia’s most dedicated Chanel collectors.
The model has become closely associated with the French fashion house, frequently sharing her Chanel handbags, jewellery and ready-to-wear pieces on social media.
However, as invitations appeared across Instagram this week, social media observers noted that Ferguson had not publicly shown one of her own.
It remains uncertain whether she was not invited, plans to attend privately or simply decided not to share the invitation online.
The apparent absence of Pip Edwards also prompted curiosity.
The P.E Nation co-founder, one of Australia’s most photographed fashion figures, appeared to be in Melbourne instead, attending a Zimmermann event on Wednesday as Chanel excitement built in Sydney.
Chanel’s sought-after invitation had each guest’s name handwritten on it and included a silver necklace with a clam-shell pendant. The pendant opened to reveal an engraving of the event’s name and a 3D dolphin tail surrounded by ripples of water
Elle Ferguson, an influencer and luxury designer considered one of Australia’s most devoted Chanel collectors and an ambassador in all but name, has not publicly shared an invitation
Pip Edwards, pictured left with Gemma Ward and Bambi Northwood-Blyth, appeared to be in Melbourne for a Zimmermann event while Chanel excitement spread through Sydney
Chanel’s Cruise 2026/27 presentation represents a rare and important moment for Australia’s luxury fashion industry.
The collection was initially unveiled in Biarritz earlier this year. Sydney has now been chosen for an exclusive international staging, bringing one of fashion’s most historic houses to the Emerald City.
The event is particularly notable because Chanel seldom brings its international runway shows to Australia. Sydney joins cities including Miami, Singapore, Dubai and Seoul as a host of one of the brand’s prestigious travelling presentations.
Chanel also held a private VIP gathering at Shelly Beach in Manly on Wednesday evening, running concurrently with Hemmes’ soirée.
The venue for the main show has been kept strictly confidential, with guests asked not to disclose specific details.
However, at the time of publication, socialites dressed in Chanel were seen gathering at Barangaroo.