Pip Miller PR

MEDIA INFORMATION Tuesday 28 Oct 08
Essence – An Eye on Fashion – Showcases Australian Glamour and Raises Funds for Leukaemia

Model struts her stuff in Wayne Cooper on the Essence – An Eye on Fashion Catwalk – a highlight of the event at Hilton Cairns on Friday 17 October 2008
A glittering guest list of 320 turned out in their fashionable best on Friday evening to attend, what has been coined, Cairns social event of the year. In its third year, Essence – An Eye on Fashion did not disappoint with a diamond-studded affair combining all the elements of Australian glamour in a stylish and sensual blend of food, fashion and fundraising.
As in previous years, the highlight of the night was the spectacular runway show of Australia’s Spring/Summer fashion – albeit made a fresh take when it was staged within Hilton Cairns’ newly unveiled million dollar event space.
According to the Hilton Cairns general manager, David Kelly, Essence – An Eye on Fashion was perfectly timed in that it enabled the hotel to showcase its most significant investment for 2008.
In a high-end production by Lindsay Bennett of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Brisbane, the labels of Easton Pearson, Wayne Cooper, Paul Hunt, Pistols @ Dawn, Lisa Ho, Alex Perry, Jayson Brundson, Flamingo Sands, Grbac, Marnie Skillings and Cairns own Vivienne Francine hit the runway to the delight and acclaim of guests.
While elegance and indulgence set the tone for a fun-filled night ahead, the event also comprised a more serious objective of raising much needed funds for leukaemia. In its third year, Essence – An Eye on Fashion successfully raised $26,000 to benefit the Leukaemia Foundation and when added to previous efforts, equates to a grand total of $76,500. Funds were raised in a charity auction of valuable items that immediately followed the fashion show.
With celebrity guests that included event emcee, Holly Brisley, bespoke Brisbane designer, Paul Hunt, Project Runway runner-up, Leigh Buchanan and doyen of Australian fashion, Wayne Cooper, other highlights included the traditional diamond champagne and chance to win a $5000 Hardy Brothers diamond. This year, the lucky winner was local man and Thrifty Car Rental employee, Michael Stewart – who couldn’t believe his luck and is naturally, one very satisfied guest. Michael, along with every guest, was presented with a glass of sparkling on arrival. While each flute held a gem stone, only one was the genuine article.
Another special moment of the night occurred early on with the bugle entry of the hand-crafted Emirates Melbourne Cup 2008 trophy. In Cairns on a whistle-stop tour of Australia before it returns to Melbourne for the race that stops the nation, it was escorted to a special platform in the hotel lobby by Leukaemia Foundation ambassador, Kimberley Busteed. Guests were quick to line up for their chance to hold the 18-carat, solid gold trophy and be captured in a souvenir photograph.
Essence – An Eye on Fashion is presented by Hilton Cairns and Hardy Brothers Jewellers, in conjunction with Cairnseye magazine. Other event partners included Mercedes-Benz, Pernod Ricard, Myer, Stageworks, Simon George and Castlemaine Perkins.
ends
EVENT
INQUIRIES: Lisa Minikas, Marketing Executive, Hilton Cairns
Tel: 07 4052 6753 Email: lisa.minikas@hilton.com
MEDIA
INQUIRIES: Pip Miller PR Mob: 0419 681543 Email: pip@pipmillerpr.com.au
Images available on request

MEDIA INFORMATION Tuesday 28 Oct 08

Lucky Gent Bags a Gem

Hardy Brothers Jewellers’ Gemologist determines winning gem
Michael Stewart is one lucky guy. Little did he know, that when he was handed his glass of Deutz champagne on arrival at Friday night’s Essence – An Eye on Fashion, it would turn out to be one of the best glass of sparkles he’ll ever have.
Picture: depositing gems into champagne flutes in readiness for the guest arrival at Essence – An Eye on Fashion held in Cairns on Friday 17 October 08.
Of the 320 guests who turned out in their finery for Cairns social event of the year, Michael’s welcome ‘diamond champagne’ was exactly that – in that it swimming in the premium sparkling was a genuine Hardy Brothers diamond valued at $5000.
With the good news announced towards the end of the evening in an entertaining play-off against fellow finalist, Cairns milliner, Amanda Macor – who planned to reset her engagement ring should she win – Michael was naturally ecstatic and in a state of disbelief.
“I really couldn’t believe my luck. I still can’t. I am normally someone who doesn’t win anything. It is normally my partner who has all the luck,” he said.
There must be something in the name Michael, with last year’s winner, also a Michael – makeup guru, Counter Manager from Myer’s Estee Lauder counter, Michael Giudice.
As Regional Manager of Thrifty Car Rental in Cairns, Michael Stewart said this was his second Essence event.
“Yes, I came along last year. It really is a great night – to be able to see all the fashion and what’s on offer in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane – it is fantastic really,” he said.
According to Michael, he already has definite plans for his lucky diamond.
“I know exactly what I am going to do – I am going to see Hardy Brothers and have it made into a special ring,” he said.
Essence – An Eye on Fashion is presented by Hilton Cairns and Hardy Brothers Jewellers, in conjunction with Cairnseye magazine. Other event partners included Mercedes-Benz, Pernod Ricard, Myer, Stageworks, Simon George and Castlemaine Perkins.
For further information, contact Michael Stewart on mob: 0414 680 093.
Ends

EVENT
INQUIRIES: Lisa Minikas, Marketing Executive, Hilton Cairns
Tel: 07 4052 6753 Email: lisa.minikas@hilton.com
MEDIA
INQUIRIES: Pip Miller PR Mob: 0419 681543 Email: pip@pipmillerpr.com.au
Images available on request

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PRE-EVENT MEDIA CALL
Essence – An Eye on Fashion

DATE: Friday 17 October, 2008

TIME: 1pm

PLACE: Hilton Cairns Grand Ballroom

WHAT: Meet and Greet with Essence fashion show emcee and special guest,
Holly Brisley and the arrival of the Emirates Melbourne Cup Trophy 08.

After arriving on a 12 noon flight, Holly will meet and greet local news
Media in the lead up to the evening’s event.

Holly Brisley is one of Australia’s most well-known and loved entertainers.
Her career has been diverse and has comprised many interesting projects
Including both acting and presenting roles. With her role as Amanda Vale
on the hit series Home and Away behind her, Holly’s career looks set to
take on a new and exciting direction.

Holly will be joined by designers-in-residence, Brisbane’s own bespoke
Designer, Paul Hunt, Project Runway runner-up, Leigh Buchanan and
Fashion event production manager, Lindsay Bennett. Hilton Cairns
General Manager, David Kelly will also be available to talk with media
In the lead up to this very special night for Tropical North Queenslanders.

Also present will be Hardy Brothers Jewellers very special hand-crafted
Emirates Melbourne Cup 2008 trophy. As tradition dictates, the cup will make a special entrance at Essence – An Eye on Fashion – carried carefully to the photographic podium by Leukaemia Foundation ambassador and former Miss Universe entrant, Kimberley Busteed.

ABOUT
THE EVENT: Hot on the heels of its runway success in 2006 and 2007,
Hilton Cairns and Hardy Brothers Jewellers, in conjunction with
Cairnseye, will once again play host to Essence – An Eye on Fashion.

In its relatively short history, Essence has positioned itself as the region’s most hotly anticipated and highly regarded fashion event – a night so special it successfully celebrates all the many and varied elements of Australian glamour using a stylish and sensual blend of elements…sight, sound, smell, touch and taste…

From fine champagne and fabulous food to fundraising for Leukaemia Foundation, inspired entertainment and this season’s latest a-list designer fashion direct from the catwalks of Australia’s Mercedes Benz fashion weeks in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne – Essence has it all and more…

Add to that, Hilton Cairns unveiling of its new, million dollar event space – that will provide this perfect venue and backdrop to this year’s celebration.
FASHION: Easton Pearson, Pistols at Dawn (QLD menswear label), Wayne Cooper, Flamingo Sands (women’s swimwear), Myer swimwear (men’s swimwear), Marnie Skillings, Vivienne Francine (Cairns), Grbac (Julie Grbac winner of Project Runway), Jayson Brunsdon, Lisa Ho, Myer Menswear (including Hugo Boss suiting), Alex Perry and Paul Hunt.
CELEBRITY: Celebrity guests include Holly Brisley, emcee of runway show, designers Wayne Cooper and Paul Hunt, QLD’s runner-up of Project Runway, Leigh Buchanan and Leukaemia Foundation ambassador and former Miss Universe entrant, Kimberley Busteed.
QUIRKY: Guests welcomed with flute of ‘diamond champagne’ – and chance to win $5000 diamond from Hardy Brothers Jewellers. Only one lucky guest will have the real and genuine article at its base. The resident gemologist will determine whether guests have the real deal – others are still lucky in that they are invited to take home their own cubic zirconia.
EVENT
PARTNERS: Hilton Cairns and Hardy Brothers Jewellers, in conjunction with
Cairnseye magazine.

EVENT
SPONSORS: Mercedes-Benz, Pernod Ricard Australia, Simon George, Myer
Stageworks and Heineken

SPOKES
PERSON: David Kelly, General Manager, Hilton Cairns

MEDIA
INFO: Media Kit will be supplied or can be downloaded from
www.pipmillerpr.com.au Images on request.

ISSUED: Friday 3 October 2008

EVENT
INQUIRIES: Lisa Minikas, Marketing Executive, Hilton Cairns
Tel: 07 4052 6753 Email: lisa.minikas@hilton.com
MEDIA
INQUIRIES: Pip Miller PR Mob: 0419 681543 Email: pip@pipmillerpr.com.au

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MEDIA INFORMATION Tuesday 7 Oct 08

Essence – An Eye on Fashion Launched in Cairns

Picture: Cairns’ Make Me a Supermodel Finalist, Kassandra Zandt added a touch of glamour at his morning’s launch of Essence – An Eye on Fashion. Wearing Wayne Cooper from Myer with jewels adorning her ears and neck from Hardy Brothers Jewellers,
Kassandra is pictured in Hilton Cairns’ Six Degrees Bar and Lounge with her own flute of ‘diamond champagne’ that will welcome guests to the event on Friday 17 October.
Media and event partners gathered this morning to savour the taste of ‘diamond champagne’ while Hilton Cairns General Manager, David Kelly unveiled details of Tropical North Queensland’s social event of the year, Essence – An Eye on Fashion.
Presented by Hilton Cairns and Hardy Brothers Jewellers, in conjunction with Cairnseye magazine, Essence – An Eye on Fashion is now in its third year and when it takes place on Friday 17 October 2008, is set to be another diamond-studded affair described as a stylish and sensual blend of food, fashion, fundraising and top-drawer entertainment.
According to Mr Kelly, this year the event will take on a new twist when it is staged in the hotel’s newly completed event space that has been significantly upgraded over the past three months to the tune of a $1 million investment.
In keeping with other traditions, guests will once again be welcomed with the event’s signature cocktail – a flute of ‘diamond champagne’. After enjoying their glass of bubbles, guests are invited to take their gem, sitting at the bottom of the flute – to Hardy Brothers Jewellers’ resident gemologist to determine whether it’s the genuine article or not. One lucky winner will take home a Hardy Brothers diamond valued at $5000.
The evening will then proceed with the glamorous arrival of Leukaemia Foundation ambassador and former Miss Universe entrant, Queensland’s own, Kimberley Busteed – bearing Hardy Brothers Jewellers’ hand-crafted Melbourne Cup trophy. This 18 carat, solid gold trophy takes some 200 hours to make and is the very icon for the race that stops the nation.
A charity auction of valuable jewellery and sporting memorabilia will ensue as will the opportunity to feast on delicious fare from the award-winning kitchen brigade of Hilton Cairns and celebrity chef, Jimmy Shu of Hanuman Restaurants in Darwin.
In its third year, Essence – An Eye on Fashion, will continue its fundraising tradition to benefit Leukaemia Foundation. In its first and second years, Essence has helped raise a total of $50,500 ($22,500 in 2006 and $28,000 in 2007).
The event highlight is once again destined to be the runway show which in its new venue of Hilton Cairns’ grand ballroom, will provide guests with all the drama and spectacle they have come to expect. Lindsay Bennett will once again produce this show using the same formula adopted for Mercedes Benz Fashion Festivals in Brisbane to bring Cairns the latest Spring/Summer 08 collections from Australia’s a-list designers. While Wayne Cooper will once again be on hand to personally present his latest season, so too will Brisbane’s bespoke designer, Paul Hunt.
Add to this, the brand names of Alex Perry, Lisa Ho, Easton Pearson, Marnie Skillings, Myer, Pistols @ Dawn, Grbac, Jayson Brunsdon, Flamingo Sands and Cairns own’ Vivienne Francine.
Runner-up of Arena TV’s Project Runway, Queenslander, Leigh Buchanan will add a dash of avant-garde celebrity, as will fashion show emcee and well-known Australian entertainer, Holly Brisley.
In combination, this event has all the ingredients of a night to remember and one that will resonate among guests for another year to come.
Picture: The finale walk from last year’s Essence – An Eye on Fashion – runway show.

Ends

EVENT
INQUIRIES: Lisa Minikas, Marketing Executive, Hilton Cairns
Tel: 07 4052 6753 Email: lisa.minikas@hilton.com
MEDIA
INQUIRIES: Pip Miller PR Mob: 0419 681543 Email: pip@pipmillerpr.com.au

Had Loads of fun yesterday in 6 degrees at Hilton Cairns – styling evening wear for Essence on Friday 17 October – my very great helper, Zoe at my side and thousands of dollars worth of Hardy Brothers Gems – divine – could have got on the next plane….PIP