I had the pleasure of spending a very intimate night with entertainment royalty – Dame Edna.

It was in the basement at the Civic Hotel in Sydney where I got to see the very endearing Dame Edna on stage speaking about Jenny Craig and how she, along with her Manager, Barry Humphries will strive to achieve their weight loss goal of 15kgs each.

In hysterics for much of the night, I can’t think of a time I have felt more privileged to have been graced by one of Australia’s greatest living treasures in this very private and rare opportunity. A good 45 minute session with Dame Edna was exactly what everyone in the room needed. Allowing questions from Trevor Ashley, Peter Everett, Mike Goldman and Glen-Marie Frost, Dame Edna answered with quick witted and supremely detailed answers, all with the poise and elegance of a legend.

It wasn’t just Dame Edna who kept the photographers on their toes, the moment the scary Spice Girl Mel B and husband Stephen Belafonte arrived, the sound of flashes and murmurs “Mel, Mel, look here, Mel”, “Oh my God, Mel B is here”, “Wow, it’s Mel B, she looks incredible” filled the room. And it was true. She looked incredible. With a body to salivate over, Mel B lost 15 kgs in 20 weeks after being ambassador for Jenny Craig.

I’ve met many international and local celebrities and I must say, I was a little star struck seeing Mel, but then I actually got to meet her and spend much of the evening with her and her hilariously extroverted husband. Mel B was so much fun, coming out with the funniest one liners, but also being an absolute sweetheart.

Other guests included my long time friend Peter Everett, Channel 10’s Breakfast presenters Andrew Rochford and Kathryn Robinson, Dr Nikki Goldstein, Trevor Ashley, Mike Goldman, Chucky Klapow and the gorgeous Glen-Marie Frost. Below are some photos of the silliness Dr Nikki and Peter Everett got up to with the crazy couple.

What an amazing night – but if you want the X-Rated uncensored version of the night… Contact me privately!

See more photos below courtesy of Esteban La Tessa of La Tessa Photography (including photo of Dame Edna) - www.latessaphotography.com

National Treasure, Dame Edna Everage and her adoring manager, Barry Humphries get serious about their health and pledge to shed 15 kilos each with Jenny Craig. With the megastar and her manager about to embark on their farewell tour, Edna states the dramatic change is necessary in the interests of their health and, as role models, the health of their public.

“Possums, Barry and I both appreciate the influence we have over our adoring public. Just like the Beckhams, people follow and copy our every move. And lately, well let’s be brutally honest, we’ve let ourselves go and haven’t been good role models. I have a wardrobe full of breathtaking gowns but I have to hold my breath to wear them …only three gowns fit me these days. When I’m on stage, I have to suck in my tummy because I fear my dress will burst at the seams. Just like my dear friend Mel B, I too can’t wait to get my pre-baby body back! While that was many years ago, the outcome will be the same with Jenny’s help!

“I’ve always had a nice little double chin but recently it’s turned into a quadruple chin. I want to live a long time and I am ready for Jenny,” said Edna.

Barry Humphries also worries about Edna’s weight. “We were in London recently and Edna’s looks were savaged by one critic in particular who described her as rather ‘tubby’. Well, that was a wakeup call for both of us, especially with our so-called “farewell” tour, ‘Eat, Pray, Laugh’, about to start in June. Consequently, we both take a mild blood pressure tablet and by losing 15 kilos, not only will we look fighting fit, our health will bounce back.”

“We want all of Australia to rally behind us on Jenny’s ‘Edna Forever’ campaign. The message is simple; ‘get healthy, live longer’. Edna is a legend; she deserves to live forever. We may be approaching our early twilight years or as I like to call them, our ‘after lunch years’, but Edna has some sage advice to impart regardless of your age,” said Mr Humphries.

Barry also admits he has his own problems with food and will be supporting Edna and encouraging all men to think about their health.

“I have a problem with food and I’m not ashamed to admit it. Don’t forget if you’re fat, you’re sick. There’s no shame in a man getting help. It’s a shame if you don’t!“

Amy Smith, MD of Jenny Craig Australia and New Zealand is excited about the company’s new ambassadors.

“Dame Edna is an absolute legend in Australia and her manager, Barry Humphries, is equally loved. Their inspiring story to lose weight and regain their health will resonate with people of all ages. You are never too old to fight for your health; it’s there for the taking.” said Ms Smith.

“The Jenny program is the perfect first step. It’s important to understand the programme is not a diet. Each person is provided with a support system second-to-none, regardless of whether they are megastar or not. After an in-depth meeting with your own Jenny consultant where your medical history is discussed, a tailored eating plan and exercise recommendations are given. Each week of your journey you will check in with your consultant to discuss your progress. This is the difference and it’s a system that’s proven to work,” says Ms Smith.

www.jennycraig.com.au

Click here to view the embedded video.

It’s called Paparazzi – Celeb 4 A Day, a Sydney based company that makes all your celebrity and attention seeking dreams come true.

Now active in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, I had the chance to use the Celeb 4 A Day experience and find out what it was really like to be followed and photographed by the paparazzi.

I have taken my iPhone with me and inconspicuously filmed the whole experience from my side of the camera. Check out how crazy it is, and how the paparazzi won’t let you get away, asking questions and doing what they can to get the perfect shot of you!

For more information about Paparazzi – Celeb 4 A Day, details are below:

Romel Kouyan – Director

9699 1454 || 0415 152 220 || romel@celeb4aday.com.au

www.celeb4aday.com.au

We all know and love Peter Everett, so here he is sharing one of his very personal Christmas gift ideas. He also sends a special Christmas message to everyone out there! Merry Christmas!

Peter Everett sends a very personal message to all of his loyal fans, who have sent the kindest messages to him through me.

I cannot begin to tell you how touched he is by every one of them, and he has read all of them!

In true fun and spontaneous Peter Everett style, this video was put together for all of you out there. We hope you enjoy it, as well as keeping you in the loop with everything that is going on in Peter’s life right now!

Adrian

 

It sounds like a dream; styling some of the world’s biggest stars including Kirstie Alley for Dancing with the Stars, Kristin Chenoweth (Glee, Wicked The Musical, Broadway) for the final Oprah season and having Blake Lively wear your designs, but for Aussie fashion icon Sophia Banks-Coloma, it’s is all in a days’ work. With ten years of fashion experience in New York, L.A and Australia, Sophia is a formidable force in the fashion industry, with many labelling her the Aussie Rachel Zoe.

With international success as a highly established creative director, designer and stylist, and a wealth of acknowledgement in the industry; recognised by Forbes as one of its Top Ten Undiscovered Designers on the rise in 2009, and Harpers Bazaar Style leader two years running, it seems the world is her oyster.

Sophia’s fascination with fashion began at just 10 years of age when she enrolled in fashion drawing classes. Even after leaving school and moving to New York to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Sophia always knew her passion lay in fashion.

Sophia became co-owner of award-winning Hollywood hotspot Satine Boutique, styling celebrity clientele including Nicole Ritchie, Scarlett Johansson, Michelle Williams and Rachel McAdams to name a few. Sophia and business partner Jeannie Lee would also frequently provide internationally renowned stylist Rachel Zoe with their key fashion tips and trends.

Sophia’s style is influenced by her global travels and, with Sophia’s strong Australian roots, the Satine showroom regularly showcased Aussie designers including Sass and Bide, Fleur Wood and Camilla and Marc.

Sophia’s mantra is simple: “Buy what flatters you, not just what is trendy. If you are uncomfortable in it, don’t buy it; otherwise that is exactly how you will end up looking – uncomfortable.”

In 2008 Sophia, keen to put her skills as a designer to full effect, launched contemporary label Whitley Kros. The label has since established itself as a celebrity favourite, worn by the likes of Katy Perry, Blake Lively, Taylor Swift and Kate Hudson, and featured on U.S reality TV show ‘The Hills’. Testament to Sophia’s eye for detail and the brand’s innovative designs, Sophia was a semi finalist in the Ecco Domani Fashion Award and her collection was selected as a Mercedes Benz highlighted fashion show – a huge accolade for a designer.

Sophia is currently involved in the costume design for a new film by Academy Award winning Director Barrie M.Osbourne (Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Matrix and the new Great Gatsby) starring Amber Heard (Drive Angry 3D, Rum Diaries), Kellan Lutz (Twilight) and Shiloh Fernandez (Red Riding Hood). The film ‘Syrup’ is due to launch in Australia in 2012.

As with every successful person, Sophia has her own influences:

“I hugely admire Haider Ackermann and Riccardo Tisci for their great designs, Hubert Givenchy for creating the best dresses ever seen this century, and Coco Chanel for being such a rebel! In terms of style icons, I love Cate Blanchett for her elegant beauty and Charlotte Gainsburg for her effortless style. It could be said that all of the above have acted as a collective muse for my various fashion projects!”

With luxury fashion houses including Dior, Chloe, Cartier, Roland Mouret and J Mendel already lined up to provide the wardrobe for her latest venture, it seems her admiration is reciprocated, with design houses clamouring over themselves to be a part of her projects.

What an amazing woman and a fortunate opportunity to delve into the world of one of the worlds best stylists.

This is the incredible Sophia Banks-Coloma…

Sophia on Work

What projects are you currently working on or have in the near future?

I just finished the movie ‘Syrup’ in New York, designing all the wardrobe. It is an amazing project staring Amber Heard, Kellan Lutz, Shiloh Fernandez and Britanny Snow. It was a great project to work on – the director overheard me doing an interview for MTV and decided put me in the movie as the TV host interviewing one of the actors!

I am also working on dressing a number of celebrities for the red carpet and some image revamps for various new clients.

You are currently working on a movie starring Amber Heard, is this your first movie and what was your reaction when you found out?

Yes it was my first movie, and it was exciting and terrifying all at the same time. When I was pregnant I would watch the Devil Wears Prada and would think if I had the opportunity to work on a movie like that I would do it. A year later I was sitting with the director of ‘Syrup’ at the Chateau Marmont discussing the movie and he asked me to work on the costumes.

You’ve achieve incredible results for many of the brands you have worked for, landing them in major magazines around the world – how have you managed such success?

I never look around and say ‘gee I am so successful’, I am always striving for more and trying to do more things so I don’t really think about it. Right now I am thinking about two new film projects and a some fabulous new clients.

For 10 years you have been working with Hollywood’s A-List, who are the ones you really loved working with – or even loved to hate?

Kirstie Alley has been great, we started working together at the beginning of Dancing With The Stars show and it was great to see her weight transformation.

I loved Amber Heard on this latest movie, she is so beautiful, graceful and elegant – a real old Hollywood star, I am sure she will be getting an Oscar soon.

You travel a fair bit between the US and Australia, how do you manage?

I have travelling under control, especially with my daughter. We even ship our bags ahead…. We have a whole travel plan.

You are married to Marcus Coloma, who appears on hit shows like CSI and One Tree Hill, how long have you been married and how did you meet?

My brother’s friend, Nick Bosher (creator of beached whale) was staying with us in the USA and he went to an acting class and met my husband. They hit it off and decided to go for a run and he brought Marcus over – the rest was history.

Does Marcus ask for your fashion advice all the time?

All the time….. When he was filming Syrup in New York, he would call me and ask, ‘What am I wearing to this premier?’- I’d say the Black Jacket, Blue tee, and the Brown boots- I tell him what to wear all the time.

He says he can’t shop or get dressed without me.

How do you maintain a life balance between work and home?

I have to turn off my phone and on Sundays we have a family day. I’m also lucky to have a studio at my house, so I have Coco around me all day and she can come say hello whenever she wants.

My husband and I like it best if we are working together as then we get to spend lots of time together- otherwise we have date night.

My Mother/Father always told me…

My father and mother both always told me to there wasn’t anything I couldn’t do and that I could never really lose, by reaching for the stars. They showed me anything was possible, they live life, they take risks, they are adventurous and always changing …. That has given me the guts to do things most people would think are crazy and brought me here to this point now.

Sophia on Food

Which foods and drinks most excite your taste buds?

Chocolate and coffee. I live for these things. I can not get enough chocolate.

How often do you eat out and cook at home?

I am sad to say we don’t really cook at home, only occasionaly. We had someone cooking for us a little in Los Angeles, before we left so we could have family meals. But the last three months have been in New York…..I don’t know if anyone in that city actually owns a frying pan!

What is one of your best cooking tips?

Hmmmmm…… wear heels, so if your food tastes terrible you will look good.

Sophia on Fashion

Being a leading fashion stylist, working with names some people could only dream of working with, you need to look the part. What would you normally wear to feel comfortable, but also look fashionable showing your experience and authority?

I have to say that in New York I did have to learn to adjust my style, as wearing killer heels on set for 12 hours was not going to be easy. So for long days I wear wedges or platform sandles… YSL has a really comfortable pair of sandles.

I do always try and look good, I wear cropped trousers to be casual but always with some heels. I have to admit I suffer for fashion a little, I had to do a interview on the set for WWD and I had just bought a new Celine outfit- wool pants and shirt- but yes I still wore it in 100 degree heat.

I love hats, and will always wear one if my hair is not done- that’s my cheat.

Fashion must-have’s?

Cropped pant trousers look so chic with a shirt tucked in and a great heel. Plus burgundy nails.

Which celebrity wardrobe do you think is spot on?

Amber Heard, Dianne Kruger and Cate Blanchett.

What is your favourite piece of clothing or accessory?

Right now my burgundy Celine Bag, my Birkin bag, a new Celine outfit and a navy lace dress by The Row.

Sophia on her Home

Who or what influences you most in home décor?

I design my house like my wardrobe which is good and bad. I love wallpaper so have lots of it . I also try and go a little more classic as I will have the urge to decorate my house yellow or burgundy for the color of the season and then want to change it about six months later.

Do you have one feature in your home you love most?

The front entrance has yellow wallapaper with birds on it and the dining room has black wallpaper, which I think it really mysterious.

Do you think rules in fashion also apply to the home?

Yes but on a different scale. There are fashion rules, such as certain things make you look larger. In houses certain things will make a room look smaller and clutered and others will make it feel larger and spacious.

Sophia on Lifestyle

Where did you grow up?

Australia.

Where is your favourite place to relax in Australia and the US?

Anywhere in Australia- I love it. But mostly Sydney with my family and Palmbeach.

In the USA – Big Sur in northern California, Florida on the beaches and Palm desert at a spa.

What car(s) do you drive, best thing about the car and why you bought it?

Lexus Hybrid- I love big cars and I really wanted a Range Rover as that is my favorite car, but I bought the Lexus for the environment.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Handbags

Where would your ultimate holiday destination be?

The Maldives. I’m actually going to be going soon and I am so excited it is to a new resort – I just have to find the time to go.

The one thing I can’t leave home without is…

My iphone, lip gloss and a great handbag.

If you could be a fly on the wall of any celebrity home, who’s wall would you like to sit on?

The royal family.

Three pet hates?

1. Airport Security

2. Dropped Phone Calls

3. Changer over time for the taxi in New York when it is raining – fashion disaster.

Click here to view the embedded video.

On the 25th of April, it was my little sister Simone’s birthday.

I spent a couple of months getting footage together of people she knows and loves wishing her a happy 24th birthday. I gave Simone the video, and she absolutely loved it – she was beside herself.

She is a smart little Down Syndrome girl, she’s very clever, she’s fun and most of all, she is lovable. She loves celebrities, she loves television, she loves movies and most of all loves music. So I made sure I asked the people who will make her smile.

I never planned to make this video public, but I thought it would be a great way to raise awareness about Down Syndrome and urge that everybody does their bit to help these beautiful people feel part of the community. If you want to donate money to the Down Syndrome Association in your state, that too would help tremendously – aiding the people who aren’t as lucky as my sister having a loving home and family around her all the time.

A massive thankyou to:

Simone, we all love you very much and we all hope you had a wonderful birthday!

Love Adrian xox

After a long day of rehearsals, both Jan Stephenson and Mark Hodge sit down for a meal cooked by Peter Everett and send a little message to all the voters out there!

Vote for Jan Stephenson!

Call 1902 55 77 13 or

SMS ‘Jan’ to 191 777

Visit http://au.tv.yahoo.com/dancing-with-the-stars/ for full details.

Check out the lovely message Peter Everett from Ready Steady Cook has made for all of his loyal fans and voters of the show for the 2011 Logies.

The show has been nominated for it’s 3rd Logie, but unfortunately Peter is no longer the host of the show. Late last year, Channel 10 dropped Peter without any warning. But being the gracious person he is, he still has all the love and appreciation in the world for the show, and all the people around Australia (and the World) who love him!

If you ask me, Peter will always be the face of Ready Steady Cook – no other host will be able to top him!