Backstage at Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival Sydney (MBFFS 2013)

Last week was a different kind of red carpet in Sydney's Town Hall, where the Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival 2013 took place from August 21 to 24. The event featured collection from General Pants Co, Sportscraft, Market HQ and numerous Australian designers (Alice McCall, Watson x Watson to name a few) to the latest Kardashian Kollection. Yes, you read right.

A look into Sydney's Town Hall

We were lucky enough to be working at the MBFFS inside this stunning hundred-year-old Sydney landmark, where we got up close and personal with the stylists, models and designer pieces involved, not to mention seeing the production from the rehearsal to the actual show, both backstage and front.

Behind the scene - dancing rehearsal

Collection for the Australia - Trends show

Madison Stubbington, Sharnee Gates & Emily Green posing for photographers backstage.

The Heat (Australian Premiere, July 2)

Event: The Heat Australian premiere

Who: Sandra Bullock & Paul Feig

Location: eVent Cinemas, George Street

Date: Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Time: red carpet arrival 6pm; movie commences at 7pm

How:

Man of Steel Australian Premiere Review

Here are some exclusive pictures from the Man of Steel Sydney premiere on June 24 at eVent Cinemas George St.

Our first impression of Henry Cavill was that this guy has arrived. Looking dapper in a pinstriped Ermenegildo Zegna suit, Mr. Cavill took his time greeting and taking pictures with fans, making sure he got everyone.

Man of Steel (Australian Premiere, June 24)

Event: Man of Steel Australian premiere

Who: Henry Cavill, Zack Snyder & Russell Crowe

Location: eVent Cinemas, George Street

Date: Monday, June 24, 2013

Time: 6pm

How:

Latest info on Brad Pitt's World War Z premiere (June 9)

Thanks to Paramount Australia, Sydney Red Carpet managed to win a doublepass to World War Z premiere, so here are some exclusive scoops on the event:

1. The movie is slated to start at 5.30pm.

2. Red carpet for attendes and competition winners begins at 4pm. This is much earlier than your regular red carpet, but we are excited if nothing else, for the better lighting for the purpose of picture-taking :)

3. As we have previously reported, the premiere is on Sunday 4pm at The Star Event Centre. Fans would be able to line up at the entrance at Piramma road.

The million dollar question as Brad Pitt heads to Sydney is of course: Is Angelina Jolie going to attend the hugely anticipated Australian premiere?

World War Z + Links to Competitions (Australian Premiere, June 9)

Brad Pitt has added Sydney to one of the pit-stops to his premiere tour for the big budgeted post apocalyptic movie, World War Z, produced by his production company, Plan B. The movie comes out in theatres June 20.

Paramount Australia has just updated that the premiere would be held at The Star Event Centre, marking the first time The Star holds a movie premiere. Located on the rooftop of The Star, the venue boasts a million dollar view of Sydney Harbour and the city skyline, with up to 4000 patron capacity. The Event Centre has held lavish dinners, award functions and conferences. Most recently, it was transformed for Seal's Soul 2 concert and a gala buffet on Mother's Day.

Event: World War Z Australian premiere

Who: Brad Pitt and director Marc Foster

Location: The Star Event Centre

Date: Sunday, June 9, 2013

Time: from 4pm

How:

Despicable Me 2 (Australian Premiere, June 5)

Sydneysiders couldn't seem to get enough of Hollywood celebrities. After last week's Great Gatsby red carpet gala with upcoming World War Z premiere, Steve Carell (of The Office and Evan Almighty fame) is heading to Sydney to promote his latest movie, Despicable Me 2, showing on theatres June 20.

Event: Despicable Me 2 Australian premiere

Who: Steve Carell and Miranda Cosgrove

Location: eVent cinemas Bondi Junction

Date: Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Time: TBA

How:

Review: The Great Gatsby (Sydney Premiere, May 22)

Last night's The Great Gatsby premiere in Sydney was a glorified media event through and through. The fans almost seemed like an afterthought at the event hosted by Hoyts Entertainment Quarter at Moore Park, Sydney, though still needed in the background to provide more buzz to the movie, showing on theatres May 30.

Fans lined up early to brave the rain, which didn't stop one minute throughout the event and ponchos were distributed right before the red carpet started. With the rainy weather having been forecasted early in the week, setting up a tent on the red carpet would have solved the problem altogether, not to mention cut down the costs of hundreds of umbrellas that were used that night to shield stars and guests from the heavy pour. And the wide green bush decor, while aesthetically pleasing and conceptually relevant, also made it much more difficult for fans to take pictures with the stars.

Anyways. On to the red carpet.

BAZ LUHRMANN

The Gatsby crew clearly ignored the red carpet rule no 1: Arrive fashionably late. Baz Luhrmann and wife, Catherine Martin, who designed the costumes in the lavish production of the classic American novel, were among the firsts to step on the red carpet and excited the fans.

The Moulin Rouge director sported an all white tux by Brooks Brothers with a black bow tie and with the slick tux and grey hair, he  reminded us of Anderson Cooper, weirdly enough. Seemingly in good mood, perhaps due to encouraging box office number ($140 million as of now), Baz took numerous pictures with fans though he did skip us to pose with a tall guy standing on our right. Obviously being vertically challenged in the red carpet is a big disadvantage.

CATHERINE MARTIN

Catherine trailed off behind her husband, gracefully posing with fans and taking time to sign. She donned a gorgeous and weather appropriate black velvet Prada coat with daisy prints, bright red lipstick and equally bright smile. We asked her which character's costume she loved designing most and she smiled proudly, "All of them, they are my babies!"

(Ssshh, it's Daisy's right?!)

ELIZABETH DEBICKI

She stepped out of the car, in a sleeveless black cashmere top with ankle length floral organza dress from Dior and pulled back blonde hair. If you think she looked pretty with a short black bob in The Great Gatsby previews, she was even more beautiful and statuesque in person.

The eyes were lively and the smile was megawatt for the cameras, though when the flashes were off, it was replaced with a sullen look that said 'I'm not here for this'. After signing and posing with a couple fans, she started to crouch down to pose with us but at her handler's notice, went to take a picture with a guy at earlier line. When she returned, we asked again nicely but she, pretended not to hear us in the quiet corner, slid away to the red carpet. After all, those were the cameras that matter.

JOEL EDGERTON

Seven Steps to an Awesome Red Carpet Experience

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With The Great Gatsby premiere hitting up Sydney tomorrow, here is a short guide on how to have a successful red carpet experience, brought to you by Chris Pine's fine backside. 'Successful' in our dictionary means you get to meet, take a picture or get an autograph from your favorite celebrity. Maybe even strike up a short conversation.

1. WHERE? WHEN? WHAT? WHO? HOW?
For news and competitions on the next red carpet events in Sydney, keep an eye on the Facebook and Twitter pages of eVent Cinemas George Street, eVent Cinemas Bondi Junction, Paramount Australia and Universal Studio. On the other hand, we make it easy for you by doing all the work, so you can just follow us @sydneyredcarpet and always stay updated ;)

2. TIMING.

Red carpet for movie premieres generally starts at 6pm, with the movie screening at 7pm.  Depending on the popularity of the event, the first queue starts as early as 1pm. We suggest to come around 3 - 4pm to secure a great spot alongside the red carpet, meaning you will have a chance to take pictures or ask for an autograph.

Be prepared to wait and stand for a long, long time. You can expect the stars to arrive fashionably late, often around 6 to 6.30 pm.  Personally, unless you win a double pass to the premiere, we would not book a ticket to the movie on the same night because then you'll be worrying about being late to the theatre and having to pass through the crowds to get in and not the important bits, like how dashing Zachary Quinto looks in that blue tux.

3. LOCATION.

Update: Leonardo DiCaprio canceled sydney appearance.

In sadder news, Leonardo DiCaprio has canceled his much anticipated Sydney premiere of The Great Gatsby due to a change in schedule after clubbing with French supermo attending premieres in both New York and Cannes. Darn those pesky schedules. 

No worries though, as the Inception star has visited Sydney numerous of times and has fostered close relationship with Echo Entertainment Group, which manages The Star Sydney Casino & Hotel. Perhaps he would bring his celebrity entourage with him again for the New Year's celebration? One can only hope!

The rest of Gatsby cast, sans Isla Fisher, are still scheduled to walk the red carpet on May 22 at Hoyst Entertainment Quarter, Sydney.

Character poster c/o Dream Movie Cast

The Great Gatsby (Australian premiere, May 22)

Event: The Great Gatsby Australian premiere

Location: Hoyts Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park

Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Time: 6.45pm screening

How:

REVIEW: Lee Hom (Music Man II Concert 2013)

Taiwanese singer, Wang Lee Hom, recently held his first ever concert in Australia, with Sydney as his first stop on his Music Man II 2013 tour and we were lucky enough to score two VIP tickets.

Like other late 80's kids, we were very much aware of Lee Hom's music and popularity. Songs such as Wei Yi and Ni Bu Zai were frequently hummed by friends and played in every mall and radio station. But I was decidedly not a fan and combined with my limited command of Mandarin, we were not sure what to expect. This concern turned out to be unwarranted, however. The show was, in one word, awesome.

Seal (Soul 2 Concert, April 28)

British soul singer and songwriter Seal performed last night at The Star Event Centre as part of his Soul 2 tour. Seal is perhaps best known as the "Kiss from a Rose" singer and for his elaborate Halloween costumes with supermodel ex-wife Heidi Klum. He is currently a judge on The Voice Australia.

Star Trek Into Darkness (Australian Premiere April 23)

Event: Star Trek Into Darkness Australian premiere

Location: Event Cinemas, George Street, Sydney

Date: Tuesday 23 April, 2013

Time: 7pm screening.

How: Tickets only available for competition winners.

Red Carpet: YES, possibly 6pm. Get a chance to take pictures with J.J. Abrams (LOST, Alias), Zachary Quinto (Heroes, American Horror Story), Chris Pine (that Lindsay Lohan movie) and Karl Urban (LOTR).

Queue up early or check my twitter @sydneyredcarpet and instagram #sydneyredcarpet for live updates.

Picture c/o Digital Spy.

Lee Hom (Music Man II Concert 2013 April 6)

Event: Lee Hom's Music Man II World Tour Concert

Location: 35 Harbour Street, Darling Harbour, Sydney

Date: 8.15 PM on Saturday, 6 April

How: there are still some seats left here.

I have VIP tickets to Lee Hom's concert in Sydney tonight. I'm only slightly familiar with his music so this should be interesting.

Picture c/o Hom Sweet Hom

Tracy Morgan (Comedy Stand-up, April 11 & 12)

Event: Tracy Morgan's stand-up comedy show, "Excuse My French"

Location: Enmore Theatre, 118-132 Enmore Rd,  Newtown, Sydney, 2042 (map here)

Date: 8 PM on both Thursday, 11 April & Friday, 12 April

How: buy the ticket here for $69.90, reserved seating.

Backstage: possible. More details coming up.

Sydneysiders,

After finishing the final season of 30 Rock, former Saturday Night Life cast member and funny man Tracy Morgan is bringing his 2013 comedy tour, 'Excuse My French' to Australia and will perform in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. I don't know about you, but this news make me want to take a cornbread behind a middle school and get it pregnant!

Other dates:

Brisbane, The Tivoli, 8PM on April 9 and 10.

Melbourne, Hamer Hall at 8 and 10 PM on April 13.

Perth, Regal Theatre, 8PM on April 15 and 16.

To get a taste of his comedy, check out his 'Black and Blue' HBO special here:

Picture c/o TMEMF

Sam Worthington (Drift premiere April 15)

Event: Q&A session with Sam Worthington, Myles Pollard, Xavier Samuel for the movie Drift.

Location: Event Cinemas Bondi Junction, Sydney

Date: Monday 15 April, 2013

Time: 6.30 pm exclusive screening + Q&A for ticket buyers

How: buy a VMAX ticket to Drift at 6.30pm here

Red Carpet: No scheduled red carpet.

Sydneysiders,

Sam Worthington (Man on Ledge, Terminator Salvation and that Blue Man Group movie) is heading to Australia in April to promote and answer questions about his latest project, Drift. Does Sam Worthington still have Australian accent, that is the question in everyone's mind and now you can get the answer to that.

Drift is a story about two surfer brothers set in remote Australia in the 70's. Watch the trailer here:

Picture credits: 1 , 2 and 3

Robert Pattinson (Sydney fan event October 22)

Event: Robert Pattinson Sydney fan event to promote Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2.

Location: Byron Kennedy hall, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park

Date: Monday 22 October, 2012

Due to rain, there was no sighting of Rob until 6 PM, when the red carpet was supposed to wrap up.

Rob patiently took time to take photos with fans and sign items for 30 minutes before heading inside for an exclusive Q&A session.

And yes, I did get a picture with him.