Model Lara Worthington was announced Readers’ Choice 2016 Woman of Style at InStyle magazine’s eighth annual Women of Style awards last night.
In partnership with Audi, the Pacific Magazines fashion brand held its biggest event of the year at The Star Events Centre in Pyrmont, Sydney.
The room setup for the eighth annual InStyle Women of Style awards at The Star
The table setup at InStyle Women of Style awards
The highlight of the night was 93-year-old Margaret Fulton winning in the Lifestyle category. The iconic food and cooking journalist was escorted onto the stage to receive the award. As she made her way up, every person in the room stood up to give a standing ovation. Once on stage, Fulton busted out a short dance to the tune of Major Lazer and DJ Snake’s dance track “Lean On” playing as a backdrop for the award, which was warmly received by the audience with laughter.
Fulton kept the spirits high in the room, addressing the crowd: “I think I am a show-off. And I like being a show-off.”
The awards ceremony was scheduled to begin at 7pm with the red carpet arrivals kicking off at 6:15pm. However, the ceremony didn’t start until 30-35 minutes later, when the guests were ushered to their seats. MC for the evening was Seven News‘ Melissa Doyle, who took to the stage to commence the event.
Publisher Jackie Frank addressed the crowd, revealing that the InStyle Women of Style awards have recognised close to 200 women in the eight years of their existence. She then hinted about unveiling a new-look InStyle magazine. The redesigned issue was then projected onscreen at the end of the awards ceremony by editor Emily Taylor.
InStyle Australia evolution 1998-2016
The night gave everyone present a healthy dose of inspiration from the stories of all the women who were nominated. The presenters also shared their own inspiring stories.
Janet King and A Place To Call Home actor Marta Dusseldorp won the entertainment category and spoke about how she, as an actor, lives to tell the empowering stories of women. “If my agent, who is here in the room somewhere, calls you after tonight, it’s because we want to show your life. I want to play you, be you and tell your story to the world.
“We’re here all looking beautiful and glamorous,” she said. “But you know what, it’s bloody hard work.”
The sports category was a new addition to the awards this year. When Mediaweek spoke to editor Emily Taylor about the new category two weeks before the big night, she said it was the right time to introduce the sports category with 2016 being an Olympics year.
InStyle Women of Style trophies
The inaugural Women of Style award in the sports category was won by Michelle Payne. She became the first woman jockey to win the Melbourne Cup last year and famously told her doubters to “get stuffed”.
The presentation of the 11 awards was separated by entrée and dinner. The intervals gave guests enough time to eat and wander around the room to mingle with people on other tables.
Melissa Doyle at InStyle Women of Style Awards
Over 300 guests attended the night including: Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop, Pacific Magazines’ Peter Zavecz, Gereurd Roberts, Jackie Frank, InStyle editor Emily Taylor, Andrew Doyle from Audi, Australian film producer Bruna Papandrea, model Lara Worthington, singer Dannii Minogue, Biggest Loser Australia’s Michelle Bridges, model Robyn Lawley, Georg Jensen CEO Anne Sullivan, Sunrise‘s Samantha Armytage , Edwina Bartholomew, Natalie Barr and Michael Pell, member of now defunct Australian band INXS, Kirk Pengilly, and TV personality Sally Obermeder.
The 2016 Women of Style goodie bag valued about $1,600 – the most expensive to date.
As the guests left the venue they were given a goodie bag which, according to Pacific Magazines, was worth more than $1,600 – it’s the highest-value Women of Style goodie bag to date. The bag contained: a Clarisonic cleansing device, Georg Jensen key ring, Coach leather card holder, La Prairie skin caviar luxe cream, Helen Kaminski scarf, Estee Lauder Aerin fragrance, Audi branded nail polish, Burberry lip gloss, The Darling Spa Voucher, Moroccan Oil mousse, root boost and styling gel.
Two performances were held throughout the evening: one by Owl Eyes and a second by Emma Louise, both supported by Aston.
The winners of the night were:
Readers’ Choice: Lara Worthington
As voted by the Australian public
Entertainment: Marta Dusseldorp
Nominees: Miranda Tapsell and Kat Stewart
Sport: Michelle Payne
Nominees: Caroline Buchanan and Lydia Lassila
Beauty: Megan Larsen
Nominees: Suzette Cassie and Lara Worthington
Fashion: Linda Jackson
Nominees: Karen Walker and Lee Mathews
Science: Professor Sharon Lewin
Nominees: Professor Emma Johnston and Dr Abigail Allwood
Charity & Community: Professor Anne Aly
Nominees: Tara Winkler and Tanya Hosch
Arts & Culture: Robyn Nevin and Bruna Papandrea
Nominee: Dr Gene Sherman
Business: Melanie Perkins
Nominees: Margot Spalding and Erica Berchtold
Lifestyle: Margaret Fulton
Nominees: Megan Gale and Saskia Havekes
Style Scholarship: Dr Emma Fulu
Nominees: Genevieve Clay-Smith and Eleanor Gammell