The dress code was Y2K – we’d argue ‘Noughties cringe’ was closer to the mark – but the most striking detail about Bernadette Sukkar’s birthday bash wasn’t the gaudy outfits…. it was who wasn’t there.
As Sydney‘s society set dusted off their Juicy Couture to celebrate the Body by Berner founder turning 36, two familiar names were conspicuously absent from the celebrations.
Neither eyebrow queen Kristin Fisher nor nude artist Dina Broadhurst attended the bash, raising eyebrows due to their previously close connections to the birthday girl.
Broadhurst is a regular at Sukkar’s Body by Berner Pilates studio, so society watchers fully expected her to swap her activewear for something festive and join the party.
As the Mail reported last week, she’s back in Sydney, having recently returned from Ibiza after the breakdown of her relationship with German toyboy Danny Tchalaby.
A source close to the former couple revealed they had clashed over her friendships with her exes, whom she reportedly described as her ‘support network’.
The dress code was Y2K, but it was the conspicuous absences that gave Bernadette Sukkar’s birthday bash its edge of intrigue this weekend. (Bernadette Sukkar is pictured arriving at the bash)
Dina Broadhurst is back in town after splitting with her toyboy lover Danny Tchalaby in Ibiza – but she was absent from Sukkar’s celebrations
With Broadhurst back on home turf and a regular at Sukkar’s buzzy workout studio, her absence certainly got tongues wagging.
Fisher’s non-attendance also sparked chatter, especially because Sukkar was a guest at her 40th in September last year and the pair are known to be close.
Was it a snub or simply a scheduling clash? Only Broadhurst and Fisher know for sure, and neither responded to requests for comment.
Still, some observers suggest Bernadette’s social standing has shifted since marrying Buildcorp chief operating officer Jordan Sukkar, elevating her into increasingly rarefied circles
The celebration at Archie Brothers in Alexandria was attended by many other notable guests, including Deborah Symond O’Neil, PR queen Montarna McDonald, stylist Caroline Tran and designer Michael Lo Sordo.
Sukkar embraced the Noughties theme in a baby blue Juicy Couture tracksuit, later swapping the sweatpants for tiny shorts and a cropped T-shirt, complete with belly button ring, knee-high boots and trucker cap.
In one of the phots shared from the night, she posed with Madeline Holtznagel and Simone Kaiser.
But there was another familiar face missing from the social media galleries – and we known for a fact that she made it through the door.
Broadhurst is a regular at Sukkar’s Body by Berner Pilates studio (she is seen arriving in May last year), but was absent from her birthday celebrations
Sukkar attended Kristin Fisher’s 40th birthday celebrations in September last year
The celebration at Archie Brothers in Alexandria was attended by many high-profile guests. (Sukkar, left, is pictured with Jade Yarbrough, centre, and Christine Tang, right)
Montarna McDonald, Louise O’Neill and Caroline Tran also attended the Y2K theme party
Poppy Tzaneros was photographed by the Daily Mail arriving with her husband, Anthony, yet she was noticeably absent from the party photos shared by Sukkar.
Despite other Tzaneroses keeping a low profile amid the collapse of the family’s shipping empire, Poppy and Anthony made no secret of their wealth, with Poppy toting a Mini Kelly Hermès handbag valued at $29,100.
She channelled Y2K chic in a Manuba Print shirt from Pucci, retailing at $1,350, teamed with straight-legged blue jeans.
Her look was finished with green Amina Muaddi heels – worth about $600 on the resale market – and what appeared to be a Rolex watch.
Anthony, meanwhile, shunned the dress code in a simple navy shirt and blue jeans, adding a dash of designer with Gucci sneakers priced at $1,520.
Without those arrival shots, anyone scrolling through the party posts might have missed Poppy’s attendance entirely.
Their quieter presence comes amid the collapse of ACFS Port Logistics, the business belonging to her husband’s family.
Poppy Tzaneros was photographed by the Daily Mail arriving with husband Anthony . She did not, however, appear in the party shots shared by Sukkar
Bernadette Sukkar is pictured with husband Jordan at the party
Sukkar partied with Madeline Holtznagel (right) and Simone Kaiser (left)
Founded in 2005 by Tzaneros patriarch Terry and his son Arthur, Anthony’s brother, ACFS Port Logistics entered voluntary administration and receivership on August 6 with debts of about $60million owed to the Australian Taxation Office.
Arthur later resigned as CEO after his leaked WhatsApp messages about the alleged Scots College gang rape became public.
The Daily Mail also reported last week how the Tzaneroses had brought in crisis communications advisers to manage the fallout.
In the aftermath, family members locked down their social media and retreated behind the gates of their multimillion-dollar mansions.
Despite the scrutiny, Poppy’s appearance showed she remains active on Sydney’s social circuit, even if she’s no longer broadcasting it on Instagram.
