Model Mischief

 The drama following the gaff made by host of the show, Sarah Murdoch in the announcement of the winner of the 2010 Australia's Next Top Model has been on-going

Feathers are flying in the modelling world after the top agency Priscilla's was dumped from the up-coming series and replaced by Chic run by the legendary agent Ursula Hufnagl who manages Miranda Kerr.

Taking over the reins as producer of the show Sarah ditched the production company Granada Media Australia and hired her sister-in-law Elisabeth Murdoch's  new TV production vehicle Shine. It's the sort of thing you can do when dad-in-law Rupert and husband Lachlan own most of the cable network the show features on.
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When gap toothed Victoria's Secret model Jessica Hart  scored the prestige job as top model in the Myer's G'Day Australia USA fashion spectacular in Los Angeles, she was at first reluctant to take the offer having just returned from working in the US.

However a financial offer made  by Myers sealed the deal. It was the kind that she couldn't refuse. Now there are rumblings in the huge Myer Emporium about whether former Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins will continue in her role this year as ambassador for the chain store.

Miranda Kerr with a new bub to look after and under contract to the David Jones chain won't be attending this year's summer/spring collections.

Insiders are saying Myers are looking for a knock out blow to take DJ's fashion crown. Step forward Jessica.

The Shuttle's spies in New York report the gap-toothed beauty also has an ulterior motive for the trip back to the States. She has been getting up close and personal with  Stavros Niarchos who has had an on and off affair with Paris Hilton over the past few years and that has turned into a full blown affair with Niarchos begging Jessica to return to the US, according to friends.
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Billionaire James Packer's $45M Vaucluse  mansion ( right) is steaming ahead with massive earth-shifting machines digging deep into sandstone in preparation for an underground garage to house 13 vehicles, staff quarters and a huge swimming pool and presumably a kiddie's pen for children Indigo and Jackson.

James appears to be determined to dispense with all shreds of his father Kerry Packer's empire. Having sold off his dad's beloved Channel Nine network and the ACP magazine publishing titles that filled the Packer coffers, James has now purchased a controlling interest in the Ten TV network.

the Bondi Beach pad

When father Kerry died  James inherited a $6B fortune and lost a billion in just six months. He still lives in the sprawling Packer Bellevue Hill complex-2 mansions surrounded by the grounds of 2 more that were purchased and demolished, and his 3 storey apartment that he built directly opposite Bondi Beach.

The Vaucluse house, which James spent $18M on buying 3 houses to knock down and build the ultimate play pad will be ready in about 18 months time.

Meanwhile there was a rumour being touted at the Hobart to Sydney yacht race in January that the Z-Sydney, the luxury gin palace owned by James Packer that has played host to Hollywood movie stars Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes is for sale with James shopping for a new vessel and in talks with the ship yard that built the world's second biggest 'super' yacht, Al Said for Sultan Qaboos of Oman . In 2007 Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes also joined James and wife Erica aboard their luxury converted minesweeper the  Arctic P on their Mediterranean cruise after their Hotel du Cap-Eden Roc wedding.

read more at 'PS' in the Sydney Morning Herald.

a strange exhibition..

The invitation to Justin Hemmes Ivy said 6pm for the opening of their Voyeur exhibtion of sexy snaps taken around the precint of Hemme's amazing multi-million dollar nightclub venture. One slight hitch-there seemed to be no photographs and few guests but heaps of champagne and nibbles. Perhaps the other invites are still in the post.

         At least we spotted marketing executive Sharon Sargent who brightens up any room. Sharon says she's threatening to attend the Polo In The Park this Saturday at Centenniel Park, wearing something sensational. Can't wait.

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The furore erupting over Demi Moore's photoshopped snap on the cover of W Magazine and described as "the"worst Photoshop ever" is another discovery of the excellent blog Photoshop Disasters. Check it out-it's good fun.

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And have a look at the very amusing Angry people in local newspapers, the sympathy blog for hapless local tabloid snappers.The entire Shuttle staff have worked on local newspapers at some stage -we feel their pain.

at the meat rack...

the entire staff of 2 at Social Shuttle, both vegans will go anywhere for a glass of that increasingly rare French champagne rarely spotted in todays' financial climate. But it flowed freely at the re-opening of the Victor Churchill butcher shop in Sydney's smartest street, Queen Street Woolhara.

Churchill's now joins Jones The Grocer just around the corner as the most expensive providors on town which shouldn't worry most locals. St Kevin's, the gloomy mansion nearby was sold recently by former PM Paul Keating for $10M with the purchaser declaring he had got a bargain even if he did have to call in some ghostbusters.

Guest Justin Hemmes was quick to brush of the scandalous rumours of cracks in his $200M nightclub and hotel empire and preferred to show off his latest flame, the gorgeous Amber Le'Strange. Justin's latest venture Ivy is booming which is a relief for his now 2000 strong staff..and the Hemmes family have never failed to make a success out of any venture they have launched.
Something tells us this may be the real thing between Justin & Amber which would make Justin's dad John & mother Merivale very happy as John struggles with cancer. Much sad talk amongst guests of the death of Johnny Baker and diaries being checked to see who will make Bake's funeral on Friday afternoon.
And a goody bag with a difference-a New York cut of wagyu steak which sells for around $300 a pound in Tokyo, a fact lost in translation to my cat Milly who dined on it that night.

Thrust into this new giddy world of cocktail parties and catering by star chef Peter Gilmour (from The Quay)and surrounded by handsome Stedman waiters-winner of the first top rating Masterchef series, Italian house-mum Julie Goodwin, loving every moment.
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## Prince Charle's polo chum Sinclair Hill has chartered a jet to fly guests to Moree for an Art Fundraiser with the proceeds going to the Moree Plains Art Gallery.

11 artists will be showing, including well-known Sydney Artist Sue Nagel followed by a dinner for 150 at the Gallery, and afterwards Jack Singleton will be auctioning off the work. Jack's last venture, the launch of his Bondi Blonde Beer at the Iceberg's in Bondi Beach with Paris Hilton doing the honours proved to be a huge success with the Singleton's selling off the boutique brewery for a huge profit after just 2 years.

Hitching a lift on that jet will be retired radio shock jock John Laws and wife 'Princess' Caroline. After flogging off his amazing auto collection when he moved into the Woolloomooloo Wharf penthouse next to Russell Crowe, Lawsie is collecting again with a new powder blue Rolls convertible and early this year dispatched his chauffeur off to Alice Springs to collect a vintage Rolls he spotted there for sale.

Paris sneaked in former boyfriend Stavros Niarchos to the Bondi Blonde Beer launch but still couldn't avoid the Shuttle's shutters. (copyright: the Shuttle)