Style
Some people flaunt their wealth, others like to hide it.In Grazia’s first-ever rich list, Emily Chantiri and Annabelle McGregor reveal the highest earners in Aussie fashion and beauty
1 2 3 $367m Rich$874m $562m NAOMI MILGROM, GORDON PASPALEY FAMILY SUSSAN MERCHANT, The fortunes of the family CEO to one of Australia’s FORMERLY OF began when the late Nicholas largest privately-owned BILLABONG Paspaley fled Greece after retailers, the Sussan Group, When Gordon Merchant WW1 and started a pearling Naomi Milgrom is the 4 struggled to find comfortable business in the Northern country’s fifth-wealthiest list m board shorts, he decided to Territory in 1932. woman with an estimated $186.5 make his own. He formed the Today, Paspaley Pearls are worth of $367 million. KARIN ADCOCK, Pandora as a fashion brand Billabong surfwear company in one of the world’s largest pearl Milgrom joined the company PANDORA that follows fashion trends.” 1973 with his former wife Rena, producers and his children run in 1988 as strategic planning Danish jewellery brand The company’s next step is taking the brand to the US the business operations. His manager and bought the group Pandora is sold in more than to expand into mix-and-match in the early 80s. son Nicholas (pictured) is the from her family in 2003. She 40 countries and, despite watches with interchangeable The label now has a $1.7 executive chairman and his has 100 per cent equity in the only launching here in 2004, accessories. “We have a billion global annual turnover. It’s daughters Marilynne Paspaley Sussan, Suzanne Grae and Australia is its third-largest new range of watches, with sold in more than 100 countries, and Roslynne Bracher look Sportsgirl retail chain (bought sales territory. Karin Adcock straps ranging from elegant with the US market accounting after the company’s property in 1999), meaning she controls is the woman behind this and diamond‑encrusted to for half its yearly sales. investment portfolio, including more than 520 retail outlets. phenomenal success story. traditional leather,” says Adcock. Merchant is now retired and spends most of his time at his the $45 million Kimberley Milgrom’s property portfolio “One of the reasons our The company experienced $12 million beachside mansion Grande resort in Kununurra. includes a $4.75 million brand is so popular is because 97 per cent growth in sales in Angourie, in northern NSW. BRW magazine estimates Byron Bay property and it allows individuals to express during the 2008-2009 financial He is estimated to be worth the family to be worth a Toorak home she purchased and create their own look,” year, with a turnover of $874 million. $562 million. for $12.5 million. she says. “We don’t see $186.5 million. u rich list
5 $169m DOUG WARBRICK, Kay, now generates in excess RIP CURL of $400 million turnover In 1969, in the no-frills globally, with the Australian Victorian seaside surf town market alone generating of Torquay, Doug “Claw” $100 million in sales a year. Warbrick and Brian “Sing In recent years, Warbrick Ding” Singer created Rip Curl. has strayed into new territory, They originally focused on launching a $20 million producing surfboards for the property development on local waves but soon moved the Gold Coast. into making innovative BRW magazine estimates wetsuit prototypes. Warbrick to be worth Rip Curl is the oldest $169 million alone, while surfwear retailer and, Singer is pursuing other according to CEO Stephen business interests.
brand, he believes it was imperative to first concentrate on building his brand locally. “The international part of the business becomes something you do as an 6 7 8 9 addition to the growth of your m m m m business and is not the vital $158 $120 $92 $90 part,” he says. “I’m based in LA GAZAL FAMILY ELLE MACPHERSON THE COWLEY NAPOLEON and I work on my Australian Calvin Klein Underwear, The model is as well known FAMILY, PERDIS market every night of the Lovable and Trent Nathan are for her business acumen as R.M. WILLIAMS The LA-based Greek-Australian week. The Australian consumer just some of the brands owned she is for being “The Body”. In 1932, strapped-for-cash makeup dynamo opened is truly international and global by the Gazal Corporation, one In 1989, she created the swagman turned entrepreneur his first concept store in herself – and she appreciates of Australia’s largest publicly Elle Macpherson Intimates R.M. Williams began a small 1995 in the Sydney suburb home‑grown talent.” listed apparel groups. brand with Bendon. At factory in his father’s back of Paddington. His product vision is a cross The late Joe Gazal founded the time it was considered shed in Adelaide, producing Napoleon Perdis cosmetics between European glamour the company in 1958 and an unusual move, especially riding boots, saddles and are now stocked in 4500 meets natural Australian it’s now run by his sons: as she asked to take a outback wear. outlets worldwide, with 59 freshness: “My beauty is across CEO and managing director percentage of profits rather Today, his legacy lives on concept stores within Australia all demographics and income; Michael (pictured); executive than an up-front fee. under the ownership of the and New Zealand. In 2008, from Geelong and Penrith to director David, and retail Today the label is stocked Cowley family, with revenue Perdis also successfully Double Bay and South Yarra.” manager Richard. in more than 500 stores, of $2.5 million in 2008-2009. launched a diffusion line Perdis has an estimated The family holds a 65 per including Saks Fifth Avenue. The brand is also extended called NP Set, in Target in worth of $90 million. cent stake in the company, BRW magazine estimates by the country lifestyle Australia and the US. What’s next? A focus which acquired a turnover of Macpherson’s net worth magazine Outback, by Even though Perdis has on high-tech ways of $243.5 million in 2008-2009. as $120 million. R.M. Williams Publishing. created an international applying makeup.
889 Seafolly founder Peter (left) and his son and managing director Anthony
11 $55m PETER ALEXANDER “Peter Alexander was He’s the king of pyjamas, a direct mail and internet leading the pack in his field of order company and although expertise – the bedroom. it was going fantastically well, Peter Alexander started I must say, having a bricks and his company in 1987, finding mortar store really established 10 a niche in the market for who and what the brand m mail-order sleepwear. Comfort, was about,” he says. “It was $75 he proclaimed, was “the an instant success and such THE HALAS ultimate luxury”. a proud moment for me.” FAMILY, In early 2000 his company The company currently SEAFOLLY turned over $6 million and he generates an annual revenue The Seafolly swimwear felt he’d stretched the brand of $55 million under the label was founded by to its limits, so he made the banner of The Just Group, husband and wife team decision to sell the brand with approximately $11 million Peter and Yvonne Halas to The Just Group, although from internet sales. in 1975. The brand is now staying on as general manager. Aside from seeing more internationally established “I love what I do but I always gorgeous knitwear in the day and Peter Halas says the want to do more with my collections, Alexander’s forecast label came into its own in brand,” he says. “I’ll never stand for the future is simple. 1998, when they decided still and rest on my name.” “I am planning to continue to focus solely on the Alexander believes his turning to bring a little happiness Seafolly brand. point came in 2004 when the and a smile to my customers’ “My son Anthony bought first retail store opened. lives,” he says. 50 per cent of the shares and we shut down any other enterprise that 12 didn’t enhance Seafolly the Sue Ismiel with her m brand,” he says. “We sold daughters Nadine $50 the swimwear label Jets (left) and Natalie SUE ISMIEL, NAD’S and shut down the active- After creating a natural wear brand Bodypaint.” hair-removal product by Seafolly’s swimwear experimenting in her kitchen, line is currently stocked Sue Ismiel founded Nad’s in in boutiques across 1992. The company flourished the country as well as into an international success international department and, in 2005, Ismiel decided stores such as Britain’s to step down from her role Harvey Nichols. as CEO to take some time “It’s always summer out, and the group changed somewhere in Australia, its name to LifeSource. so we have a fantastic In 2006, Ismiel returned opportunity to sell our to the struggling company swimwear 12 months of as CEO and her daughters the year,” says Halas. Nadine, Natalie and Naomi are Seafolly has an annual also involved in the business. turnover of approximately Nad’s is aiming for $75 million. a turnover of $50 million in the 2009-10 financial year. u www.grazia.com.au 890 rich list 16 $40m BRUNO SCHIAVI, JUPI CORPORATION Inspired by his own trips to the gym, Bruno Schiavi 13 (pictured below) came up 45m with the simple idea of $ a sock with a pocket for CARLA ZAMPATTI loose change and keys. Italian-born Carla Zampatti After 17 rejections from launched her iconic Australian Australian retailers, he got brand in 1965 – it’s now a his big break in 1995 when fashion powerhouse with an US retail giant Walmart annual turnover of $25 million. offered him a contract. Zampatti distributes through “One of the hardest David Jones, as well as having 15 things about being 14 stand-alone stores. m a designer in Australia is Her $20 million home in $40 that it’s a small country,” Darling Point, Sydney, is a mere LORNA JANE jump from $40 million in The proposal for expansion says Schiavi. “There are glimpse into her property CLARKSON 2009 to $80 million by 2012. abroad is likely to be aided a lot more opportunities portfolio, which includes retail Unimpressed with the And loyal US customers by private-equity investors overseas. But if you’re premises worth more than exercise clothing available will soon be able to get Champ Ventures. The going to give up after the $20 million in Sydney’s CBD. to buy, former aerobics their Lorna Jane fix locally. investors plan to inject an first ‘no’ then the fashion Zampatti is also a prominent instructor Lorna Jane “We have plans for a series undisclosed sum to emerge industry is not for you.” company director, serving Clarkson decided to take of Lorna Jane stores in Los with between 40 and 49 per The success of the Pocket on the board of Fairfax, matters into her own hands. Angeles and are set to start cent of the company. This Sock in the US and Europe SBS and Westfield. After improvising with opening our doors by mid will dismantle the original allowed him to expand fabrics at home, she 2011,” says Clarkson. structure of 50/50 stakes in into women’s underwear launched the first Lorna Jane “Australia used to be the company held by Lorna and men’s clothing. In 1996, store in 1990. The company seen to follow trends from Jane and her husband Bill Schiavi founded the Jupi now has more than 88 fashion centres like Italy, Clarkson, who is the chief Corporation in Sydney stores in Australia, with an France and the US, but now executive of the brand. and launched the anabella additional three opening by Aussie designers have really What’s next creatively for lingerie line in 2002. the end of this month. come into their own,” she Lorna Jane? The first active- Schiavi also specialises The annual turnover for says. “Now they’re known for swim collection will go on in collaborating with Lorna Jane is predicted to their unique aesthetic.” sale later this year. celebrities, such as Janet Jackson and Priscilla 14 Presley, to market their fashion ranges. He recently $43m announced a partnership with the Kardashian sisters ALANNAH HILL to launch their apparel and Originally hailing from Tasmania, accessories line and he’s a 17-year-old Alannah Hill joined forces with NBC bravely packed up her bags reality show The Biggest and moved to Melbourne. Loser, distributing a new line After a stint styling on film of gymwear in the US. sets and video clips, Hill went Schiavi says his strength on to work in clothing stores lies in adaptation: “If you on Melbourne’s Chapel Street, resist change, you’re only before opening her first resisting personal growth.” boutique in 1997. A believer in work/ Hill’s ultra‑feminine designs life balance, he meditates are stocked in David Jones daily and has a rule that as well as 18 stand-alone none of his staff should boutiques. work past 5.15pm. Alannah Hill’s recorded His turnover is expected turnover for the past financial to increase to $55 million year is $43 million. in the next 18 months. u rich list
17 $36m
SASS & BIDE They were the first Aussies At the forefront of the late to show at New York Fashion 90s designer denim frenzy, Week and have since hopped Sarah-Jane Clarke and Heidi the pond to regularly show Middleton sky-rocketed to in London, where their label fashion fame in 1999 with began. In the last two years their cult jeans. They’ve since they’ve doubled their turnover gone from strength to strength, from $20 to $40 million and expanding their business to been named Veuve Clicquot’s include diffusion line s&b vie business women of the year. and unleashing their infamous Their joint fortune is an Rat leggings on the market. estimated $36million
like summer or winter nowadays,” explains Anthony. “Continual development of a new product is essential. It is a real challenge in such a highly competitive market.” Tony with As well as being stocked in 18 19 face of the major department stores and 20 21 brand, Jodi Gordon shoe retailers, there are also $35m $30m 14 Tony Bianco retail outlets. $30m $29m JO HORGAN, THE BIANCO The brand aims to provide SARAH MURDOCH NATALIE BLOOM MECCA COSMETICA FAMILY a classic demographic with There’s not much this top model A graphic designer turned When beauty addict Jo Horgan Shoe designer Tony Bianco fashion-forward designs. “Being can’t do, with roles ranging from makeup mogul, Natalie Bloom opened the first Mecca launched his footwear label first to market and staying Australian ballet board director launched the Bloom Cosmetics Cosmetica store in Melbourne in 1972 and his sons Adam ahead of the pack is a huge to breast cancer ambassador. brand in 1993 at the age of 22 in 1997, she aimed to showcase and Anthony, now company task,” says Anthony. “Australian Together with husband, media and is now worth $29 million. cult brands such as Serge directors, took over their women challenge us to mogul Lachlan Murdoch, the Inspired by her grandparents’ Lutens fragrance and Perricone father’s legacy in 2003. continually be creative and mum of three purchased a $23 success as founders of fashion MD skincare. Today there are The brothers travel the deliver new, fresh and exciting million Sydney home last year. chain Portmans, Bloom 23 Mecca Cosmetica stores world throughout the year, product as quickly as we can.” As well as mentoring new decided to forge her own path stocking 40 exclusive brands. searching for inspiration to The company is 100 per talent on Australia’s Next in the beauty sector. Her range Horgan has an estimated diversify their brand. “Fashion cent family-owned and has an Top Model, she also runs a now comprises more than wealth of $35 million. isn’t as simple as two seasons annual turnover of $30 million. production company, Room 329. 300 products. u 892 rich list
22 24 25 26 27 $27m $21m $20m $20m $17m AMANDA BRISKIN, COLLETTE JAN LOGAN HALLAS FAMILY, MORRISON MIMCO DINNIGAN Jan Logan’s childhood ELLA BACHÉ In 2002, Tasmanian husband In 1996, young entrepreneur South African-born, New memories of her mother’s Last year Pippa Hallas, third and wife team Kylie Radford Amanda Briskin founded the Zealand trained designer jewellery box inspired her to generation of the Ella Baché and Richard Poulson sold their Mimco label with just $5000, Collette Dinnigan started her develop her visionary brand. cosmetic company, was private assets, raising $10,000 creating a range of handbags, label in 1990 and was the first After collaborating successfully appointed as general manager. to launch their concept store jewellery and accessories. Australian to show at Paris with a jeweller in Narrabri in Her late great-aunt created the in Fremantle, WA. Fast forward to 2007 Fashion Week. Her dresses sell northern NSW, Logan moved brand in Europe in the 1930s They now have seven and the savvy Briskin sold for as much as $8000. to Sydney, opening her Double and her father John Hallas is Morrison signature stores her company to Greshamp Equally happy designing for Bay store in 1989. the owner and chairman. across the country and produce Private Equity for an estimated the mass market, Dinnigan has “We do pieces with a young, The cosmetics franchise 10,000 garments a month. $45 million. The sale took designed lingerie ranges for directional feel but with a classic now has a turnover of $20 In the next financial year place at the height of the Target and the UK’s Marks & quality that stands the test of million. Ella Baché has a specific the couple plan to open three retail boom and Briskin is Spencer. She’s also expanding time,” says Logan. research team creating stores and break into the now estimated to be worth her brand with a diffusion line, Logan’s son Angus joined the products for the Australian Japanese market. This summer $27 million. Collette by Collette Dinnigan, business in 1996 and they have environment and a College of will also see Morrison launch The accessories company is set to hit stores in September. since opened more stores in Skin and Beauty Therapy. The their first-ever Resort collection. currently under the leadership Her empire now has an Sydney, as well as Melbourne, company has more than 200 The brand has an annual of CEO Iain Nairn. annual turnover of $21 million. Perth and Hong Kong. salons and over 80 employees. turnover of $17 million.
23 clips. This, says Ashby, opened the doors for the company $23m and is how he found his first SEAN ASHBY, UK customers. AUSSIEBUM Since then, with the help In 2001, when his favourite of business partner Guyon swimwear brand was no Holland, the predominantly longer being made, Sean internet-based brand has Ashby used the $20,000 expanded into a global he’d saved for a home enterprise with an estimated loan to design his own annual turnover of $23 million. range, aussieBum. “This is because we “For the first two years have remained true to our I was selling my swimwear values, culture and heritage,” to friends and beachgoers,” says Ashby. “We used the says Ashby. “When I tried to backdrop of Australia as sell the brand it was rejected a commodity, and we market as not being competitive aussieBum using cheeky enough against foreign brands. larrikinism and sexiness.” My only option was to take The company now employs it overseas.” 38 staff who work mainly Ashby got his break from his warehouse in the when Kylie Minogue found out Sydney suburb of Leichhardt, about the brand and used the with sales ranging from 5000 swimwear in one of her video to 7000 pieces a week.
893 28 29 $11 m $11 m KRISTY HINZE JODHI MEARES The Gold Coast beauty and Renowned for being a glamour granddaughter of the late model turned designer and TV Queensland politician Russ personality, Jodhi Meares first Hinze made the move to entered the spotlight aged 16, New York in 1999, signing with as a Moove milk model. Ford Models. She is estimated Meares married billionaire to have earned $3.5 million James Packer in 1999 but the from acting and modelling, couple separated in 2002, including posing for Sports leaving her with a $3 million Illustrated and Victoria’s Secret. property portfolio. Her fortunes catapulted when In 2000, she created her she married Texan billionaire swimwear label Tigerlily, later Jim Clark last year – the couple selling it to the Billabong group bought a $7.4 million Sydney in 2009 for an estimated apartment last June. $8 million, propelling her net Hinze hosts Project Runway worth to $11 million. She Australia and is currently the has stayed on as Tigerlily’s face of Sportscraft. creative director.
30 $10m JENNIFER HAWKINS Our cover girl shrieked when 31 32 we told her she’d made it onto our rich list: “Woo! How 6.5m 4.8m exciting. It’s a compliment, it’s $ $ mind- blowing,” she says. SHELLEY BARRETT, JOH BAILEY Vuitton and Bulgari are “It’s great to be brought up MODELCO Australia’s hairdresser to just a handful of the luxury with a business mind – my The eye-catching hot pink the rich and famous, Joh fashion houses enlisting the mum and dad told me to set ModelCo range launched in Bailey opened his first styling services of Bailey yourself up, have goals and 2002, the brainchild of former salon in Sydney’s Double and his team. achieve them.” model agent Shelley Barrett. Bay in 1985. Over the In 2004, he signed an She now has a $5 Kylie Minogue, Victoria years his clientele has agreement with Myer to million contract with Beckham and Sienna Miller are included Elle Macpherson, open 23 Joh Bailey salons Myer and a cannily- said to be fans of the brand, Eva Longoria Parker and inside stores and he is the assembled property which is stocked in 27 countries the late Diana, Princess head stylist on Foxtel’s portfolio. Her latest as well as iconic stores such of Wales when she visited Project Runway. purchase is a $1.8 as Space NK in London and Australia in 1997. Next month Bailey’s million oceanfront Sephora in New York. Bailey’s love of hairstyling brand will venture far block on Sydney’s In 2007 the brand’s came from his childhood beyond its initial roots, Northern Beaches turnover grew by 36 per love of equestrian – he with the launch of a with plans for boyfriend cent and the 2008-2009 used to braid the mane of homewares line. Jake Wall to build them their financial year saw a turnover his thoroughbred Anika. His company turnover is dream home. Go Jen! of $6.5 million. Now Chanel, Louis in excess of $4.8 million. u www.grazia.com.au 894 rich list vincent , , arla Z ampatti
34 richard freeman , oriander , garth baker x5, andy $3.35m ONE BELYNDA our business remains TO WATCH! MACPHERSON, in the growth of We’re predicting model BANJO & overseas markets,” says Jess Hart is set to storm the MATILDA Macpherson. “There has rich lists. She’s hit the big time as S hop T hrottle of C lassic ar courtesy Channeling her been strong interest from the face of Myer and Seafolly and childhood memories of the UK and US – they overseas she’s signed with high- S ue in C S heiles / rp represents N ad ’ s : K atrina anielle P edrina S tyling : ballet classes, Belynda fell in love with our knits street giants Victoria’s Secret Macpherson launched when we presented our and H&M. Yes, watch this (fabulous) space… 33 her luxury cashmere collections in June.” 35 brand Banjo & Matilda She believes morality is
m m W hite S uede singlet C and $3.5 in 2008. Her knits are the new luxury and her $3 MIRANDA KERR now a wardrobe staple of collections are steadily GEMMA WARD She’s come a long way from Victoria Beckham, Rihanna moving towards “fashion- The 22 year-old skyrocketed her Gunnedah upbringing – like and her sister-in-law Elle with-a-conscience”. to supermodel status in 2004 at earning her diamond-gilded Macpherson. “Our luxury ‘eco’ yarn age 16, becoming the youngest wings as a Victoria’s Secret angel, “To the rest of the for our summer collection model ever to grace the cover signing that big-bucks contract world, Australia is a clash is 85 per cent bamboo and of US Vogue. with David Jones and launching of luxury lifestyle and 15 per cent cashmere,” She continued her career
her skincare line Kora. remoteness, so our she says. “It has the soft trajectory for four more years D / rp represents , charlie kielty , C hick / contacts ayne Add recent well-compensated collections are received feel of cashmere but is before turning her attention campaigns for Prada and Jil overseas with a touch of lightweight and perfect for to acting – but not before
Sander (thanks to her high intrigue,” she says. warmer weather.” cementing her place at number newspi x x10, x3, x photos fairfa snapper media , picture media , x3, getty images x2, australia
fashion makeover) and Miranda’s Banjo & Matilda’s HQ Macpherson recently 11 on the 2008 Forbes top- W and makeup : , big , sitting pretty at number 10 on is located in Bondi and announced a collaboration earning models list. M yer ) ( from in N icola F inetti jacket and N atalie the Forbes list of top-earning the company distributes with Natalie Imbruglia Consistent runway models, with estimated yearly worldwide through their – the limited-edition appearances and campaigns earnings of $3.5 million. online store. Lucky sweater. for luxury houses like Hermès, Check out And yes, sharing incomes with “Although Australia is Banjo & Matilda has Burberry, Calvin Klein and Louis Miranda and an A list actor will increase her our spiritual home, the an anuual turnover of Vuitton paid off to the tune of Gemma’s model N adine in L isa H o dress , julian kingma H air long , net worth substantially. commercial success of $3.35 million. an estimated $3 million n files at grazia. lechat guillaume : photos com.au. 895