Australia's Next Top Model

Happy Friday! We've been a busy bunch this week, with various important events (and some not so) keeping us in the loop. Jess hit the 2013 Foxtel Program Launch mid-week, where she spotted Chris Hemsworth and Jennifer Hawkins, while some of us spied the lovely — and so teeny! — Bethenny Frankel at an event held to showcase her SkinnyGirl Cocktails range. Ali attended the launch of the Zegna A/W sunglasses collection, and spied some goood lookin' suits while she was at it; the One Teaspoon A/W collection launch was a change of pace but just as impressive. Throw in some green mascara, a big, beautiful breakfast, nail polish, some seriously good bargains and a lot of chatter, and you've got yourself a week at Sugar. There's lots to see — click through now to check it out!

There was lots of star power at Foxtel’s 2013 programming launch held at Fox Studios in Sydney last night. Foxtel ambassador Chris Hemsworth, in a Zegna suit, flew in with his wife, Elsa Pataky, and baby daughter, India Rose, for the event, and charmed a group of media, TV personalities and executives as host for the night’s festivities. When the official proceedings had wrapped up and the floor opened to drinks and canapés (cooked up by new Foxtel star Matt Moran’s ARIA team), Chris stuck around to mingle with guests including Sam Worthington, and with his approachable nature many people had a quick chat with him and asked for photos, which he happily posed for.

A slew of Foxtel talent took to the stage to present some of the pay TV provider’s big plans for 2013, including CEO Richard Freudenstein, Deborah Hutton, and the cast of Wentworth, Foxtel’s 10-part modern day version of the iconic ’70s-’80s show Prisoner. Jennifer Hawkins, who looked stunning in Thierry Mugler, was the last to present her show, the eighth season of Australia’s Next Top Model, which started production this week. She was also joined on stage by 25 of the show’s finalists, who closed out the official part of the night by strutting off, runway-style.

More announcements from the night include production of a new drama series, Devil’s Playground, the season six premiere of Mad Men on April 8 on Showcase (the Australian home of HBO shows such as Girls, Game of Thrones and True Blood), exciting new lifestyle programs, and a great range of films on Foxtel’s movie channels.

Jennifer Hawkins looks pretty comfortable in her new hosting shoes for the eighth cycle of Australia's Next Top Model, stealing the spotlight at last night's 2013 programme launch for Foxtel at Sydney's Fox Studios. This is one of our favourite-to-date looks on Jen; minimal, modern and understatedly sexy. Her Thierry Mugler number adheres to the old fashion adage of showing off only one asset at a time; in this case her killer legs. A pair of sleek nude Casadei pumps kept the focus on her futuristic dress, as did the lack of fussy accessories. We thought it was worthy of an all-angles style stalk . . .  so what are you waiting for? Click on through. 

It may have been the weekend but Jennifer Hawkins, Alex Perry and Charlotte Dawson were busy with work as they hit Sydney's Pitt Street Mall for the latest round of Australia's Next Top Model auditions on Saturday. The show's judges, along with IMG Model agency reps, sat through hours of girls trying their luck at being the next Montana Cox, winner of the 2011 series who has gone on to international success. Jennifer has also spoken about what she'll be like as the show's new host, following in the stylish footsteps of Sarah Murdoch. Jen told the Sunday Telegraph, "My approach is to be just honest with the contestants and to give them constructive criticism so they can move forward and do something about it. I don't want to be too nice because that's annoying and I don't want to be too mean because that's annoying as well." After Alex tweeted about their "AMAZING" day in Sydney, the trio will be at Westfield Parramatta today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for another round of auditions.

Jennifer Hawkins looks pretty comfortable in her new hosting shoes for series eight of Australian's Next Top Model. Jen was joined by co-judges Alex Perry and Charlotte Dawson in Sydney over the weekend for the Sydney leg of the national auditions tour, setting up camp in Pitt Street Mall. The Miss Universe alumn' looked chic and ready to work, wearing a cute Karen Walker short suit, ManiaMania statement necklace, taupe platform heels and toting an Alexander Wang Rocco tote bag. There was plenty of talent on hand, with the line of hopefuls snaking the street. Applicants had to be over 172cm in height (which would rule out Kate Moss) and over 16 years of age. Want to get in line to take Montana Cox's crown? The last auditions are taking place at Chadstone Shopping centre in Melbourne tomorrow and Wednesday, but you'll need to fill out the application form to be in the running. See more of Jennifer at work inside.

We got all stalkerish on Montana Cox on Tuesday night, following her from the dress rehearsal to the hair and makeup chair to the backstage change room. Disclaimer: we're not usually this creepy. You see, we had an interview scheduled with the Australia's Next Top Model winner prior to the David Jones Spring Summer fashion launch, but because the whole shebang was running a wee bit late the schedule went slightly awry. We finally cornered Ms Cox, and she graciously ignored our single-white-female behaviour long enough to play a little game of "finish my sentence." From the stunner's current designer bag of choice, to her New York fashion week plans, to go-to skinny jeans brand, we grilled her quickly then left her alone (at last). Thanks for being such a good sport, Monty!