Celebrating style and substance

For close to a decade Audi has proudly supported the InStyle Women of Style Awards, which recognise the outstanding achievements of women across nine categories, including Arts & Culture, Beauty, Business, Charity & Community, Entertainment, Fashion, Lifestyle, Science and Sport. Each of the women nominated are at the top of their game in their industry. They’re passionate, dedicated and prove that style exists in so many different forms.

Housed in a custom-built space within The Star Event Centre and hosted by Jackie Frank, General Manager and Emily Taylor, Editor of InStyle, it welcomed fashionistas, television’s finest, scientists, elite athletes, trailblazers, role models and mentors to walk the white carpet and enjoy an unforgettable dining experience thanks to the fine folk at Sokyo, before celebrating well into the night. 

Channel Seven’s Melissa Doyle reprised her role as emcee this year, and while the night of nights was indeed filled with fashionable glitz and glam, it was hard to ignore the general feeling of honest camaraderie as stories of inspiring women lifting up other women were perpetuated throughout the evening. 

InStyle and Audi Style Scholarship: ANNA ROBERTSON

The Audi Style scholarship is awarded to a woman who is just starting out in business and carries a $10,000 bursary to help the recipient further their effort in their chosen field. This year’s recipient is Anna Robertson, the 30-year-old founder of YEVU, a social enterprise clothing line she commenced in 2012 in West Africa. With a will to support a female led enterprise that celebrates the vibrancy and culture of Ghanaian wax print and textiles, YEVU now employs 20-25 makers and support staff. 

Fashion: NICOLE WARNE

One of the world's leading digital influencers, with her fashion, travel and lifestyle brand – Gary Pepper Girl – Nicole launched her business from her home on the NSW Central Coast with just $200 and a laptop. She now boasts a loyal global audience of over 2.3 million followers and is a true pioneer of the digital platform space that connected fashion’s front row with style lovers everywhere.

Entertainment: RACHEL PERKINS

At just 18 years of age, Rachel found herself doing a traineeship in Alice Springs with the Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association. And while she admits to stumbling into filmmaking it wasn’t long before she knew it was her true calling. In 1992 she commenced Blackfella Films, which has a focus on stories of indigenous Australians. She’s since directed acclaimed titles such as AFI-nominated Radiance (1998), One Night The Moon (2001), Bran Nue Dae (2009) and this year’s Jasper Jones.

Sport: AMNA KARRA-HASSAN

This young Muslim woman from a traditional Lebanese family in Western Sydney has always challenged the status quo pertaining to the restrictions her culture placed on women, particularly in sport. Having established the Auburn Tigers, a women’s AFL team originally comprising of a squad with little to no experience in the game, the team became a beacon for all women, regardless of their cultural background, to come together to play sport. In 2015 the team were invited to partner with the Greater Western Sydney Giants AFL franchise, whereby Amna began mentoring young players. By 2016, the Auburn Giants were promoted to the Premier Division in Women’s Football in NSW. 

Beauty: CARLA OATES

As an eczema sufferer during childhood, Carla always knew there was a link between nutrition and complexion. However it wasn’t until she was working as a beauty editor in the mainstream, that she quickly became concerned about the amount of chemicals found in skincare. Believing in the premise that beauty begins in the belly, Carla set about creating the first ‘living’ beauty range and her primary cab off the rank was the Glow Inner Beauty Powder; comprising of superfoods, prebiotics and probiotics. That first formula became a best seller and her platform for her beauty range.

Arts & Culture: ELLA HAVELKA

Ella is the first indigenous dancer in the Australian Ballet’s 55-year history; and on receiving her award she had only moments before, come off stage from performing with the company. Prior to being invited to join the Australian Ballet, Ella worked with the renowned and contemporary Indigenous dance company, Bangarra. She also works closely with Oxfam’s Close the Gap program which aims to improve the health and well being of Indigenous Australians. 

Lifestyle: MEGAN HESS

With a burning desire to become a full time fashion illustrator, Megan almost gave up on her dream before she was asked to create the cover for Sex and the City. It was without a doubt her big break. Since then, Megan has become one of the most influential and in demand illustrators. Her career highlights to date? Sketching live for Fendi at Milan Fashion Week; while designing the facade for Tiffany and Co’s 5th Avenue boutique in NYC.

Charity and Community: DR SUSAN CARLAND

She converted to Islam at 19 years of age and has built her career challenging the assumptions of what it means to be a Muslim woman. An academic, a high profile voice in discussions around gender equality and now a lecturer at Monash University and an ambassador for Possible Dreams International. She is an advocate for the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, and at 37 years of age is an authentic change maker.

Science: DR DHARMICA MISTRY

At just 31 years of age, this microbiologist is breaking serious territory in the breast cancer space. While examining her own strands of hair she noticed there were similarities to the samples from women with breast cancer. She considered the hair treatment of olive oil she used in her hair each couple of months and soon discovered that women with breast cancer have significant levels of phospholids in their hair, results imitated by the olive oil. The value in her findings is nothing short of remarkable. We will eagerly be watching this space. 

Business: CYAN TA’EED

She co-founded Envato, the global marketplace for developers and designers, which celebrated a 2016 pre-tax profit of $38.3 million; and while it’s unusual to be a female co-founder in a privately held tech company, this driven individual is committed to her business becoming the standard for change in the industry. An ambassador for The Hunger Project Cyan Ta’eed is rightfully in demand as one of the most sought-after women speaking on tech and entrepreneurialism in Australia.

Readers Choice: SALLY Obermeder

This inspirational woman recalled one of the previous Women of Style Awards she’d attended. At the time she’d been in the midst of her cancer treatment and unsure whether she would actually live, Sally decided that upon hearing the inspirational stories of the women at that said awards night, if she did indeed live, she too would become completely fearless in her approach to business. If there was a maxim designed especially for Sally, it would have to be we rise by lifting others because as she said, “what’s the point of getting to the top of your game without bringing other women with you.”