Welcome to The Saturday Telegraph’s A- List – our guide to the people shaping Sydney’s social scene in 2026.

Pulling together this year’s list wasn’t easy.

Sydney is home to no shortage of influential names, from old-money families and businessman heavyweights to fashion designers, philanthropists and the new generation of socialites.

But influence today isn’t defined by just one thing.

It’s no longer simply about wealth, family name or follower count, it’s about who is setting the agenda, building businesses, attracting attention, filling event guest lists and remaining part of the conversation.

Some names were obvious.

Others sparked plenty of debate.

There were people we simply couldn’t leave off and others who came agonisingly close but didn’t quite make the cut.

This isn’t a popularity contest, it’s a snapshot of the people having the biggest impact across Sydney’s social, cultural and business landscape right now.

Whether they’ve inherited their status, built it from scratch or found fame online, these are the names defining what it means to be part of Sydney’s A List.

Philanthropists

When it comes to philanthropy in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, it’s easy to create the impression of making a significant impact without contributing very much. The individuals below – often branded the new generation of philanthropists – stand apart for their genuine commitment, dedicating substantial time, energy and resources to causes that make a real difference. Joshua Penn is a tireless supporter of Sydney Children’s Hospital, best known for organising the annual gold dinner, which has raised millions of dollars to support the hospital’s vital work. Anthony Liveris is one of the younger generation of philanthropists making a meaningful impact through his support of the St Vincent’s Curran Foundation, contributing his time and effort to advancing medical research and patient care. Larger than life personality Monika Tu has long been recognised for her philanthropic work across a range of causes, including Sydney Children’s Hospital, cancer research and the Art Gallery of New South Wales, demonstrating a commitment to health, culture and the broader community.

Joshua Penn

Anthony Liveris

Monika Tu

TikTokers

Being called a TikToker might still make some people roll their eyes, but there’s no denying the influence – or the earning power – that comes with it. What was once dismissed as a hobby has become a legitimate career, with brand deals, businesses and TV opportunities all flowing from a loyal audience. While thousands are trying to crack the algorithm, only a handful have managed to turn viral fame into long-term success. Sydney’s biggest names have done exactly that. At just 22, Sophia Begg has launched her own fashion label, All For Mimi. Indy Clinton, 29, has become one of Australia’s biggest family influencers, securing major partnerships while also holding equity in a haircare brand. Bridey Drake, 25, first found fame promoting her sleepwear business on TikTok at just 18, and now has a documentary chronicling her life on the way.

Sophia Begg aka Sopha Dopha

Indy Clinton

Bridey Drake

Old-school influencers

Before TikTok stars were a thing, these women built careers online the old-fashioned way through blogs, Instagram and YouTube. More than a decade later, they’re still booking campaigns, attending the biggest events and proving longevity in the influencer world is possible. Pip Edwards has become one of Australia’s most recognisable fashion identities, Nadia Fairfax remains Sydney’s quintessential socialite and style authority, Elle Ferguson continues to land major beauty and fashion partnerships, while Sammy Robinson has successfully expanded beyond influencing with her fashion label One Mile.

Pip Edwards

Nadia Fairfax

Elle Ferguson

Sammy Robinson

PR and talent managers

Behind almost every successful influencer is a manager making the deals happen. From negotiating six-figure campaigns to crisis management when things inevitably go wrong, talent managers have become some of the most powerful people in Australia’s influencer industry.

These five are all founders of the top agencies running in sydney including 22 management, Amplify, MGMT, Movement Agency and Portobello PR who are helping turn social media personalities into household names while quietly taking a cut along the way.

Sean Anderson

Alex Reid

Kat Moses

Grace Garrick

Charlie Boyce

Designers

Sydney has produced some of Australia’s biggest fashion exports, and these designers continue to dominate both locally and overseas. Zimmermann has become a global luxury powerhouse worn by everyone from royalty to Hollywood stars, Rebecca Vallance has built an empire on timeless occasion dressing, while Christopher Esber has earned international acclaim with his modern, architectural designs and cult celebrity following.

Rebecca Vallance

Nicky and Simone Zimmermann

Christopher Esber

Old money

Some surnames have always carried weight in Sydney, and these are among the biggest. Kate Waterhouse was born into racing royalty as the daughter of trainer Gai Waterhouse and bookmaker Rob Waterhouse, before building her own media career. Deborah Symond O’Neil, daughter of Aussie Home Loans founder John Symond, has become a respected businesswoman and fashion identity. Tamie Ingham is part of one of Australia’s wealthiest agricultural families and remains a staple of the city’s charity and society circuit. Rey Vakili has become a modern socialite, blending fashion credentials with Sydney’s old-money networks. Then there’s Merivale boss Justin Hemmes, whose hospitality empire has cemented him as one of the city’s most influential figures.

Kate Waterhouse

Deborah Symond O’Neil

Tamie Ingham

Rey Vakili

Justin Hemmes

New money

Sydney’s new elite didn’t inherit their status – they built it. Roxy Jacenko turned her PR business into one of Australia’s biggest personal brands and remains a powerhouse in business and social circles. Madeleine Holtznagel has become one of the city’s most recognisable socialites through modelling, luxury fashion and her high-profile relationship with Justin Hemmes. Laura Hazzouri has carved out a name through entrepreneurship, hospitality and luxury lifestyle, while Bernadette Sukkar has become a prominent figure across her Pilates business, charity events and Sydney’s social calendar. They represent a new generation where business success, influence and social media have become just as valuable as family legacy, proving you no longer need an old surname to secure a seat at Sydney’s most exclusive tables.

Madeleine Holtznagel

Roxy Jacenko

Laura Hazzouri

Bernadette Sukkar

New generation

Every generation has a fresh crop of names tipped to become Sydney’s next social stars. These three are quickly making that transition, regularly appearing at fashion launches, hospitality openings and influencer events while growing their own loyal audiences online. They’re part influencer, part socialite and part entrepreneur, reflecting how much Sydney’s social scene has evolved. While they’re still early in their careers, they’re already becoming familiar faces across the city’s biggest events and look well placed to shape the next era of Sydney society.

Emma Pillemer

Mia Hewitt

Simone Kaiser