The InStyle and Audi Women of Style Awards proved once again that style is ageless. A select group of inspirational Australian women across an impressive age range of 24-70 years, were honoured as leaders in their fields in front of a star-studded audience of more than 320 guests in Sydney at the seventh annual event.
Model Robyn Lawley was honoured with the prestigious Readers’ Choice Award, and our favourite actress Naomi Watts shared the coveted Entertainment Award with acclaimed television series producer, Imogen Banks.
“The InStyle and Audi Women of Style Awards recognised 26 incredibly talented women who are all leaders in their fields. Their achievements touch many of our lives in some way yet too often go unnoticed,” said InStyle editor Emily Taylor.
“This year we celebrated women who not only excel doing what they love but do so with integrity and compassion. They have all embraced the ethos that with success comes responsibility. It’s an absolute privilege to celebrate their achievements”, Taylor continued.
Other award winners included Leah Purcell (Arts & Culture), Lorraine Foster (Fashion), Yassmin Abdel-Magied (Charity & Community) and Sibella Court (Lifestyle).
Marita Cheng, the founder of 2Mar Robotics and Robogals, received a $10,000 InStyle and Audi Style Scholarship. Cheng intends to put the grant towards modifying the Teleroo — her video telephone on wheels, which saves time for, and closes the distance between people, by turning remote callers into active “present” ones. Cheng dreams of adding robotic arms to the device, to open doors and assist people with disabilities.
Other guests included Asher Keddie, Jessica Mauboy, Lindy and Michael Klim, Jennifer Byrne, Silvia Colloca, Anna Plunkett, Jana Wendt, Gillian Armstrong, Camilla Franks, Marta Dusseldorp, Layne Beachley and Kirk Pengilly, Danielle Spencer, Sally Obermeder, Rachael Finch, Camilla Freeman-Topper, Brendan Cowell, Megan Washington, Jason Dundas, Leah Purcell, Michelle Bridges and Steve Willis, Terry Biviano and Anthony Minichiello, Samantha Harris, Laura Dundovic, Grace Huang, Abby Earl and Jesinta Campbell.
Here’s the full list of 2015 InStyle and Audi Women of Style Award winners are:
CHARITY & COMMUNITY
Yassmin Abdel-Magied
BEAUTY
Jo Horgan
LIFESTYLE
Sibella Court
ARTS & CULTURE
Leah Purcell
FASHION
Lorraine Foster
SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENT
Dr Georgina Long (Read our interview with Dr Long here)
ENTERTAINMENT
Naomi Watts & Imogen Banks
BUSINESS
Janine Allis
STYLE SCHOLARSHIP
Marita Cheng
READERS’ CHOICE
Robyn Lawley
All of the nominees were selected by InStyle. The winners were decided by the Women of Style judging panel, which includes Gillian Armstrong, film director; Layne Beachley, entrepreneur and environmental campaigner; Anna Burgdorf, general manager, Corporate Communications, Audi Australia; Collette Dinnigan, fashion designer; Deborra- lee Furness, actress and human rights advocate; Cassandra Kelly, chair, Pottinger; Nicole Kidman, actress and UN Women Goodwill Ambassador; Elizabeth Ann Macgregor, director, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia; Louise Olsen, designer, artist and creative director, Dinosaur Designs; and Jana Wendt, journalist and author.