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