Melbourne‘s insiders were buzzing on Saturday as the city’s ‘It’ girls gathered for a stylish bash to celebrate the birthday of twin socialites Suzy Eskander and Sally Crinis.
The sisters hosted a western-themed party, complete with caviar and a denim-clad hoedown for all their glamorous friends.
But when photos and videos surfaced from the party, the gossip mill went into overdrive because of one conspicuous absence: Rozalia Russian.
Content shared online showed a Who’s Who of the city’s socialites dressed up in double denim as they pulled out whips and indulged in hors d’oeuvres.
Nadia Bartel, rocking a denim jacket, jeans and a brown belt, posted videos of several guests line-dancing on a tennis court.
She praised the cowgirl theme of the bash while sharing an image of what looked like rolled cigarettes on a silver tray next to matchboxes.
Melbourne’s ‘It’ girls gathered for a lavish bash on Saturday to celebrate the birthday of twin socialites. (Pictured: Sally Crinis, Nadia Bartel, Sarah Lucas, Lauren Tarrant and Shirin Pulitano)
A bowl of chillies frozen in ice cubes was placed next to the tray for some added pizzaz, while shots of Don Julio tequila were circulated with lime wedges.
The Henne founder later posed up a storm with TNT The New Trend co-founder Vanessa Spencer, former WAG Emily McKay, and entrepreneur Shirin Pulitano.
Birthday girl Sally also snapped a photo with Nadia, adding a white heart to the caption alongside the words, ‘love you’.
Yummy Mummies star Jane Scandizzo uploaded a video of the entertainment, sharing footage of country singer Dakota East singing Landslide by Fleetwood Mac.
Meanwhile, Shirin’s account captured guests brandishing a whip on the tennis court, while others danced on tables inside.
Several other notable guests were spotted, including Booby Tape co-founder Bianca Roccisano, Melbourne DJ Stephanie Stean, and WAG Emma Hawkins.
Influencer Jordie Grist Legudi, fashion designer Rochelle Gregory, realtor Josh Bermingham, and PR director Gemma Sampson were also in attendance.
They all dined on caviar, figs and other expensive-looking appetisers catered by Verity Mason.
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Twin sisters Suzy Eskander and Sally Crinis hosted a western-themed bash, complete with caviar and a denim-clad hoedown
When photos and videos surfaced from the party, the gossip mill went into overdrive because of one conspicuous absence: Rozalia Russian (pictured)
Content shared online showed a Who’s Who of the city’s socialites dressed up in double denim as they pulled out whips and indulged in hors d’oeuvres
Nadia Bartel (right, with Sally Crinis) rocked a denim jacket and blue jeans with a brown belt as she posted videos of several guests line-dancing on a tennis court
However, despite being a gathering of the biggest names in Melbourne high society, Rozalia was notably absent.
The wife of nightclub king Nick Russian – whose AC/DC Lane venue Bar Bambi was targeted in the recent spate of arson attacks in the city – was nowhere to be seen at the soirée, despite a large portion of her friend group attending.
While the reason for her absence isn’t entirely known, some have speculated it may have something to do with her ongoing rift with Sarah Lucas.
The mega-wealthy socialite, who is married to high-profile Melbourne restaurateur Chris Lucas, was spotted mingling with friends at the bash.
She’s long been rumoured to have a simmering feud with Rozalia, the origins of which remain largely unknown, only adding to the intrigue.
The fact that both women are married to major players in the city’s hospitality scene – with Nick the nightlife tsar and Chris behind institutions like Grill Americano, Chin Chin and Maison Bâtard – gives their rumoured rivalry a distinctly spicy edge.
She also praised the cowgirl theme of the birthday bash, and shared an image of what looked like rolled cigarettes on a silver tray next to matchboxes
Shirin shared a selfie of her double-denim outfit
Guests cracked a whip on the tennis court, while others danced on tables indoors
Guests appeared to have a blast while line-dancing
Rozalia Russian (left) was notably absent. While the reason for her absence isn’t known, some have speculated it may have something to do with her ongoing feud with Sarah Lucas (right)
Speculation first ignited last year, when a single photo emerged of Rozalia and Sarah in the same frame, but conspicuously positioned at opposite ends.
It was May 2025, and Melbourne and Sydney’s respective in-crowds converged in the Harbour City to toast designer Effie Kats at the ritzy Buon Ricordo in Paddington.
Though the two camps – often cast as rivals – were seen mingling, images from the night suggested tension among the Melbourne contingent.
Despite sharing the same circles and friends, Rozalia and Sarah hadn’t been pictured together in years. So when a rare group shot of the city’s top socialites – including Nadia, Lana Wilkinson and Jade Kisnorbo – surfaced with Rozalia and Sarah standing so far apart you could drive a tank between them, tongues inevitably started wagging .
There’s no way of confirming exactly what has gone on between the pair, but the fact they don’t follow each other on Instagram appears telling.
Sarah’s husband, Chris Lucas, is the force behind some of Melbourne’s most stylish restaurants and now has his sights set on Sydney. The Lucases were named one of the city’s power couples in 2022, with Sarah widely regarded as one of Melbourne’s leading ‘It’ girls.
Rozalia is a former ballerina turned model and influencer, whose marriage to Nick – a former Temptation Island contestant and one-time candidate for Lord Mayor of Melbourne – propelled her into the city’s elite social orbit.
