A couple of months ago, I visited my old friend Nick Samartis and his gorgeous partner Belynda Henry at their Deer Park Estate , situated just over an hour out of Sydney. Make up and hair stylist Christian Mcculloch drove up with me for the weekend and along with wine and chicken to roast , we brought a few ( ok , many ) looks to shoot on the property.
Originally, the idea was to have a relaxing weekend, just a few portrait shots wearing something suitably country but the more I thought of the imaginary girl who lived here , the more I saw her as a blend of Little Edie, aka Edith Bouvier Beale, reclusive socialite famously documented in the 1975 film Grey gardens blended with a modern day heiress on a weekend party spree.
On the left: Voelkk dress , 1950s earrings
Above: 1980s sequin leopard dress, Gucci heels
Belynda Henry is a brilliant, accomplished painter and multiple Wayne and Archibald prize finalist whose works cross the threshold of landscape, dreams and feelings dressed as colour, while Nick is a legendary Greek Australian photographer turned architecture and interior design maven .
The couple have this place as their retreat from the hustle and bustle of the big smoke and I can see why – the air is forest fresh, silence is only interrupted by bird calls and bush animals like deer and wallabies pop in and out of grassy fields like it’s a setting for Australian Snow White.
Inside, the house gives opulent, vintage interiors, grand guest quarters and the right mix of bougie and relaxed, reminding me simultaneously of old Hollywood house glamour and relaxed Tuscan country feels. The couple are building new dwellings to surround the main building, looking to develop the grounds into the sort of weekend retreat that brings people together.
Wearing Baz Inc top and pants, old Celine choker, vintage Rolex watch
Above: left- wearing Voellk top and skirt, Valentino shoes. right – wearing vintage dress and earrings, Simone Rocha shoes
Above – on the left : vintage Pucci dress from Hello Betty and Veronica, vintage bracelet and ring, Gucci shoes , on the right : vintage leotard and tights, vintage bracelet, Balenciaga earrings and Hello Betty and Veronica vintage necklace
The whole weekend was a ball – friends, long chats, good wine, slow cooked food in the Ozzie bush – the kind of retreat that soothes the soul and makes one ready to face the grind of the city machine. If you’re fried from the bustle, this is a wonderful place to visit – get here before the whole world knows about it.
Above: wearing Voellk dress
Photography: Nick Samartis
Hair and Make up: Christian Mcculloch
Model: Tanja Gacic
Shot at Deer Park Estate