Australians and Fashion: Perfect Mates

There wasn’t a single can of Foster’s in sight, but the inaugural dinner of the Australians in New York Fashion Foundation on Wednesday night was an authentic Oz fest. A crowd of stylish Down Under transplants filed into Antony Todd’s Midtown loft to sup on Australian fare and to discuss their homeland.

“We are like a secret society,” said Aussie model Nicole Trunfio. “No one else gets our sense of humor.”

Others disagreed. Kristy Heinze, host of the Australian spin-off of “Project Runway” (and wife of Netscape billionaire Jim Clarke), boasted about her people’s affable nature. “The stereotype is that we are nice and fun and it’s true,” she said, as an overzealous party-goer shattered a glass of Champagne. “See?”

Sarah Wynter, meanwhile, took the opportunity to dispel clichés. “It’s not true that we all know each other,” said the actress and New South Wales native. “I’ve actually met some new people here tonight.”

In fairness, Wynter might have been referring to the fete’s small faction of non-Aussies, which included Francisco Costa, Karlie Kloss, Jane Lauder and Italo Zucchelli—none of whom seemed to mind being the odd ones out.

“Wherever I go there are Italians everywhere,” said the Zucchelli. “It’s nice to have Australians everywhere for a change.”