Welcome to The Saturday Telegraph\u2019s \u00ef\u00bb\u00bfA- List \u2013 our guide to the people shaping Sydney\u2019s social scene in 2026. <\/p>\n
Pulling together this year\u2019s list wasn\u2019t easy. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
But influence today isn\u2019t defined by just one thing. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s no longer simply about wealth, family name or follower count, it\u2019s about who is setting the agenda, building businesses, attracting attention, filling event guest lists and remaining part of the conversation. <\/p>\n
Some names were obvious. <\/p>\n
Others sparked plenty of debate. <\/p>\n
There were people we simply couldn\u2019t leave off and others who came agonisingly close but didn\u2019t quite make the cut.<\/p>\n
This isn\u2019t a popularity contest, it\u2019s a snapshot of the people having the biggest impact across Sydney\u2019s social, cultural and business landscape right now.<\/p>\n
Whether they\u2019ve inherited their status, built it from scratch or found fame online, these are the names defining what it means to be part of Sydney\u2019s A List.<\/p>\n
Philanthropists<\/p>\n
When it comes to philanthropy in Sydney\u2019s eastern suburbs, it\u2019s 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\u2019s Hospital, best known for organising the annual gold dinner, which has raised millions of dollars to support the hospital\u2019s vital work. Anthony Liveris is one of the younger generation of philanthropists making a meaningful impact through his support of the St Vincent\u2019s 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\u2019s Hospital, cancer research and the Art Gallery of New South Wales, demonstrating a commitment to health, culture and the broader community.<\/p>\n
Joshua Penn<\/p>\n
Anthony Liveris<\/p>\n
Monika Tu<\/p>\n
TikTokers<\/p>\n
Being called a TikToker might still make some people roll their eyes, but there\u2019s no denying the influence \u2013 or the earning power \u2013 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\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Sophia Begg aka Sopha Dopha<\/p>\n
Indy Clinton<\/p>\n
Bridey Drake<\/p>\n
Old-school influencers<\/p>\n
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\u2019re still booking campaigns, attending the biggest events and proving longevity in the influencer world is possible. Pip Edwards has become one of Australia\u2019s most recognisable fashion identities, Nadia Fairfax remains Sydney\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Pip Edwards<\/p>\n
Nadia Fairfax<\/p>\n
Elle Ferguson<\/p>\n
Sammy Robinson<\/p>\n
PR and talent managers<\/p>\n
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\u2019s influencer industry. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Sean Anderson<\/p>\n
Alex Reid<\/p>\n
Kat Moses<\/p>\n
Grace Garrick<\/p>\n
Charlie Boyce<\/p>\n
Designers<\/p>\n
Sydney has produced some of Australia\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Rebecca Vallance<\/p>\n
Nicky and Simone Zimmermann<\/p>\n
Christopher Esber<\/p>\n
Old money<\/p>\n
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\u2019Neil, daughter of Aussie Home Loans founder John Symond, has become a respected businesswoman and fashion identity. Tamie Ingham is part of one of Australia\u2019s wealthiest agricultural families and remains a staple of the city\u2019s charity and society circuit. Rey Vakili has become a modern socialite, blending fashion credentials with Sydney\u2019s old-money networks. Then there\u2019s Merivale boss Justin Hemmes, whose hospitality empire has cemented him as one of the city\u2019s most influential figures. <\/p>\n
Kate Waterhouse<\/p>\n
Deborah Symond O\u2019Neil<\/p>\n
Tamie Ingham<\/p>\n
Rey Vakili<\/p>\n
Justin Hemmes<\/p>\n
New money<\/p>\n
Sydney\u2019s new elite didn\u2019t inherit their status \u2013 they built it. Roxy Jacenko turned her PR business into one of Australia\u2019s biggest personal brands and remains a powerhouse in business and social circles. Madeleine Holtznagel has become one of the city\u2019s 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\u2019s 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\u2019s most exclusive tables.<\/p>\n
Madeleine Holtznagel<\/p>\n
Roxy Jacenko<\/p>\n
Laura Hazzouri<\/p>\n
Bernadette Sukkar<\/p>\n
New generation<\/p>\n
Every generation has a fresh crop of names tipped to become Sydney\u2019s 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\u2019re part influencer, part socialite and part entrepreneur, reflecting how much Sydney\u2019s social scene has evolved. While they\u2019re still early in their careers, they\u2019re already becoming familiar faces across the city\u2019s biggest events and look well placed to shape the next era of Sydney society.<\/p>\n
Emma Pillemer<\/p>\n
Mia Hewitt<\/p>\n
Simone Kaiser<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Welcome to The Saturday Telegraph\u2019s \u00ef\u00bb\u00bfA- List \u2013 our guide to the people shaping Sydney\u2019s social scene 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