Inside the vicious feud between two fashionistas and how all the Melbourne socialites including Bec Judd and Nadia Bartel took sides: ‘It got really messy’

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Rozalia Russian and Lana Wilkinson have shared details about a bitter disagreement that nearly caused a major rift within Melbourne’s high society.

The friends recently revealed that their relationship, now incredibly close, went through a difficult period lasting over ten years. This caused a rift within their wider social circle – including well-known faces like Bec Judd and Nadia Bartel – and forced people to choose sides.

Influencer Chloe Green, 37, who is married to nightclub owner Nick Russian, and shoe designer Pierre Papdioc, 43, launched their podcast, ‘The Archive,’ on Tuesday. They described a recent argument that escalated into a shouting match during a public event.

‘We were not friends. It started off great and then we ended up yelling at each other at an event,’ Rozalia began during the first episode of their podcast together.

‘Something that we, looking back now, are so mortified by. Ashamed. All of the big words. Embarrassed,’ Lana added.

I was so happy to hear Rozalia and Lana talk about how they first met! They shared that they really clicked and formed a close connection almost immediately, back when they were working together on a photoshoot twelve years ago. It’s lovely to know they’ve had such a long-lasting friendship!

‘You were styling me,’ Rozalia said to Lana. 

We quickly became close because we were both newly pregnant. Things started off great, but then unfortunately took a turn for the worse.

Lana explained she’d given their disagreement a lot of thought, and it actually started soon after they first met, during the Spring Racing Carnival.

Looking back, I realize my biggest mistake was not being able to help you find an outfit for the Spring Racing Carnival,” Lana admitted.

The shoe designer explained that she’d already promised to style 26 social media personalities and influencers for the event, so she wasn’t able to fulfill Rozalia’s request for Lana to do her styling.

Rozalia was deeply hurt by the rejection and mistakenly thought Lana disliked her. This led to feelings of resentment that she held onto for seven years.

Rozalia explained that this happened 12 years ago, when she was first establishing her career in the industry.

I always felt I had to really prove myself to get any job. It seemed like people were more interested in my personal life – who I was and who I was with – than my qualifications.

Rozalia was hurt and felt insecure because Lana hadn’t styled her hair. Lana explained that she was newly pregnant with her second child and didn’t have enough time to do so.

She also admitted she hadn’t explained things clearly to Rozalia and that she’d been too forceful in how she handled the situation.

For seven years, Rozalia and Lana avoided each other, refusing to talk about their building anger and acting as if the other didn’t exist at gatherings. Rozalia admitted she frequently badmouthed Lana when she wasn’t around.

‘I think it spiralled as a result,’ Lana confessed. 

It’s important to have that difficult conversation, even though it’s unpleasant. When we didn’t address it, it started to affect those around us.

The situation made everyone feel awkward, like people were taking sides. ‘Are you on Roza’s team, or Lana’s?’ Rozalia described it as a terrible experience.

It felt like people were questioning where my allegiances were, asking why I even acknowledged her. Looking back, I realize how silly and small-minded I was to even care about it.

The conflict between the two former friends reached its peak at a party right before the Covid lockdowns began.

‘After a few champagnes and not enough food, we were hanging around,’ Rozalia explained.

We were just standing around, having a drink, when something happened – someone said something – and I immediately reacted, going straight at you.

‘You launched into me,’ Lana laughed. 

I recall telling you, “Just say what’s on your mind. You’ve kept this bottled up for seven years, and I’ve already heard it from other people. Please, go ahead and tell me.”

I did something I regret,” Rozalia admitted. “I spent time talking about you to others, and it wasn’t right. We were arguing so much at the time, I was just caught up in it all.”

Lana felt deeply embarrassed after their argument, especially since it happened in front of everyone.

Oh my gosh, you won’t BELIEVE this! Apparently, Liam Wilkinson – he was actually friends with Rozalia’s husband, Nick, can you even imagine?! – was absolutely horrified when he found out about the fight. Like, totally shocked and upset. It just proves how awful the whole thing was if *he* was that disturbed!

Rozalia agreed and said the situation wouldn’t have escalated if their partners had been present.

Rozalia explained that people often act the way they do because they’re feeling insecure or unhappy. ‘Looking back at myself,’ she said, ‘I realize that’s exactly what was going on with me.’

‘From that experience, I remember just feeling shameful. It was devastating at the time,’ Lana added.

Rozalia and Lana stopped speaking for three years after a big fight. They later shared that the Covid lockdowns gave them time to think about what caused the argument.

Nick and Lana reunited in late 2021 at the opening of Bar Bambi, Nick’s new celebrity venue in Melbourne. They had a brief, polite conversation where Lana thanked Rozalia for the invitation.

Lana jokingly recalled being incredibly nervous when she first spoke to Rozalia after their argument, saying she was ‘absolutely terrified’.

She recalled wanting to simply offer her congratulations. She remembered him responding with a polite, “You’re welcome. Have a good night.” She saw it as a positive step forward.

‘Covid had happened. Big world problems. I think everyone was just sick of us talking about it as well,’ Rozalia added, revealing all their friends were trying to convince them to patch things up.

Lana and Rozalia didn’t talk about what happened between them until after the Caulfield Cup in October 2022, when they were able to reconnect and become friends again.

Oh my gosh, you will NOT believe this! I was practically right by the DJ booth, and Nick – *Nick!* – came over carrying this massive tray of drinks. I was so flustered, I actually told him I wanted to buy my own! I didn’t want it to look like I was taking advantage, you know? It was just… everything!

You offered to buy me a drink, saying you felt you owed me one after everything that happened. I responded by apologizing.

Lana mentioned they had a couple more drinks and were even caught on camera dancing and singing.

‘There was just relief that it’s over,’ they said.

They shared that their friendship is now incredibly strong. Over the past few years, they’ve worked hard to reconnect and rebuild the trust they once shared.

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2025-10-07 05:50