Lisa, Phoebe, Dasha, Charlotte and I thrilled to have a Kodak moment with Natalie Imbruglia

Charlotte & Camille

Phoebe, Jane Rocca and I, before devouring the canapes…

The canapes! Super tender seared tuna. The waiter: UK-born, wearer of a fabulous beard

Antonia Acott & friend

My entree: Baked Hervey Bay scallops with potato puree, topped with brown butter emulsion and pine nuts

Ladies in Noir: Couturing Beauty Editor Katherine & Editor-in-Chief Lisa

Dessert Canapes! Bite-sized hazelnut chocolate cups, mango cheesecakes & passionfruit meringue pies

 Last night, hubby and I were so honoured to attend the launch the of Kailis‘ Enlightenment Collection with Natalie Imbruglia at Stokehouse City. It was almost exactly one year ago we dined at Stokehouse St Kilda, in celebration of our wedding anniversary. I still remember that fateful day when Melbourne lost one of its most iconic restaurants to a fire. But the new Alfred Place establishment is even more refined and enchanting. Especially when you’re surrounded by Kailis South Sea Pearls and fine company.

I have long admired the exquisite designs of Kailis pearls and applauded Kailis’ choice of brand ambassador, Natalie Imbruglia, but it was only tonight that I found out about the family business behind the luxury pearl label and about the extraordinary lady who founded Kailis.

Patricia Kailis is one accomplished lady. A PLC and Mebourne Uni-graduate, Patricia studied medicine. She was brave enough to sail to Perth in the late 50s to work as a doctor! After meeting husband Michael Kailis, they started one of Australia’s leading marine corporations and built a pearling farm in Broome. When oysters were wasting away from disease, it was Dr. Kailis who rescued them. She introduced hygienic handling practices which not only saved the pearls and oysters but also set new standards for the rest of the industry. A woman of great achievement, Dr. Kailis juggled raising 4 children with a career as a world renowned genetic researcher and counsellor that helped countless families afflicted with genetically transmittable diseases. She truly is an inspiration. No wonder the Kailis woman is one of sophistication, style and achievement.

Natalie in Dion Lee jacket, Dolce & Gabbana Skirt and Kailis pearls

Kailis ambassador Natalie Imbruglia fits the bill perfectly. Singer, songwriter, actor, model, Natalie is about to launch her skincare line next week and a new album next March! She told us that she studied Method acting in the States for two years, just tried her hand at acting on stage in the UK and hopes to buy a house in Melbourne soon. You may have noticed that Natalie is wearing two Kailis rings together in the photo above, following Dr. Kailis’ advice  to “wear them often, and enjoy wearing them.”

Beauty created by light, colour and movement, this was the inspiration behind Kailis’ Enlightenment collection. The jewels combine the natural beauty of Australian South Sea pearls with the centuries old art of Guilloché, a time-consuming, decorative engraving technique dating back to the 1700s. Each piece takes artisans 8 weeks to create. Some things are worth the wait.