Julie Bishop is the epitome of elegance at Nobu Sydney cocktail party

Her flair for red-carpet style has earned her the nickname ‘The Minister of Fashion’.

And Julie Bishop oozed glamour and sophistication on Friday as she attended a cocktail party at Nobu restaurant at Crown Sydney in Barangaroo.

The exclusive soirée was hosted by the award-winning Japanese chef and restaurateur Nobu Matsuhisa, who was visiting his Sydney venue, which opened its doors on level two of Crown in 2020, for the first time.

Ms Bishop, who served as Australia’s foreign minister from 2013 to 2018, was the epitome of elegance in a knee-length black dress that highlighted her slender figure.

She accessorised with sparkly heels, statement earrings and a pearl belt by Chanel, and completed her look with a bedazzled clutch and wristwatch.

The retired politician was flanked by Sydney’s social elite at the party, as well as Mr Matsuhisa himself, who is known for his trendy fusion cuisine blending traditional Japanese dishes with Peruvian ingredients.

The exclusive soirée was hosted by the award-winning Japanese chef and restaurateur Nobu Matsuhisa (centre right), who was visiting his Sydney venue, which opened its doors on level two of Crown in 2020, for the first time

The retired politician was flanked by Sydney’s social elite at the party

Conspicuous by his absence was Ms Bishop’s ex-lover David Panton, who used to be her ‘handbag’ at every celebrity party or red carpet event she would attend.

The pair dated from 2014 until July this year, when Mr Panton, a property developer, abruptly broke up with Ms Bishop over dinner at a restaurant in Circular Quay.

The jet-setting couple had attended a private engagement with Prince Charles, now King Charles III, in London just a week earlier.

The former deputy leader of the Liberal Party was reportedly blindsided by the split, and Mr Panton was later romantically linked to a woman from the Northern Beaches. 

Mr Matsuhisa (pictured with former Miss Universe Australia Francesca Hung) is known for his trendy fusion cuisine blending traditional Japanese dishes with Peruvian ingredients

Ms Bishop, who served as Australia’s foreign minister from 2013 to 2018, was the epitome of elegance in a knee-length black dress that highlighted her slender figure

She accessorised with statement earrings and a pearl belt by Chanel

Mr Panton was sometimes described as Ms Bishop’s ‘handbag’ during their eight years together as he was regularly photographed smiling by her side at sparkling social gatherings, while barely saying a word in public. 

He was largely unknown when he first appeared with Ms Bishop at the 2014 Melbourne Cup, a year after the prime minister Tony Abbott appointed her minister for foreign affairs. 

They had been introduced by Ms Bishop’s close friend and retired Liberal politician Bruce Baird and shared an interest in fitness and health.

A seemingly never-ending round of glamorous outings followed – including repeated invitations to marquees at Flemington Racecourse, opening nights, film premieres and fashion shows. 

Conspicuous by his absence was Ms Bishop’s ex-lover David Panton, who used to be her ‘handbag’ at every celebrity party or red carpet event she would attend. The pair (pictured with James Packer in December 2015) dated from 2014 until July this year

Mr Panton, a property developer, abruptly broke up with Ms Bishop over dinner at a restaurant in Circular Quay. The jet-setting couple had attended a private engagement with Prince Charles (left), now King Charles III, in London just a week earlier