marie claire celebrated Australians pushing boundaries at the 2025 Women of the Year Awards at Sydney’s Roslyn Packer Theatre last night, drawing a packed room of industry names, innovators and cultural heavyweights.
Brittany Higgins and husband David Sharaz arrived with composed smiles, presenting a calm, united front despite their ongoing bankruptcy proceedings.
They joined a steady stream of Australian figures at Dawes Point, choosing – just for the night – to set aside the pressure and share the spotlight together.
Higgins later reflected on the evening in an Instagram post, calling it an honour “to celebrate the Australian women who have challenged and inspired us in 2025.”
She admitted voting across the categories was “a truly agonising experience” because of the calibre of nominees.
She singled out several winners for special praise: Julie Inman Grant “standing up to tech giants,” Anjali Sharma for her climate advocacy and push for a government duty of care, and Suzie Miller, whose play Prima Facie exposed the way the justice system treats sexual assault victims.
Higgins also offered a nod to the glamour of the night, thanking marie claire and designer Rebecca Vallance “for affording a Cinderella moment and loaning me this dress.”
Editor Georgie McCourt said each year the awards serve as a reminder of the extraordinary power of women to drive progress and create lasting change.
“In 2025, that feels more vital than ever,” she said.
“This year’s winners are bold, visionary and unapologetically themselves – women who are using their voices and their platforms to shift conversations, challenge convention and redefine what leadership looks like.
“Their courage and commitment inspire all of us to imagine and build a fairer, more hopeful future.”
The event featured brand integration from major partner Georg Jensen, supported by Volvo, Olay, F5 Collective and Constellation Brands.
Georg Jensen Australia CEO Anne Sullivan said the company has always celebrated the ability of individuals to shape the world around them.
“The 2025 Women of the Year winners do exactly that. Their determination, imagination and courage reflect the spirit of our brand,” she said.
“Our partnership with marie claire is a natural alignment, bringing together two heritage brands committed to empowering women, elevating design and inspiring modern luxury audiences.
“We’re proud to stand alongside marie claire in honouring these remarkable women and look forward to the opportunities this collaboration opens for us to champion their stories even further.”
The winners:
The Changemaker: Emma Mason
The Creative: Suzie Miller
The Eco-Warrior: Anjali Sharma
The Rising Star: Milly Rose Bannister
The Entertainer: Kitty Flanagan
The Designer: Camilla Freeman-Topper
The Advocates: Grace Toombs and Nicole Yade (Tie)
The Champion: Molly Picklum
The Voice of Now: Noor Azizah
The Icon: Rose Byrne
The Powerhouse: Julie Inman Grant