Trishy (Dishy) Karr is renowned for being one of Sydney’s most flamboyant party planners and in 2021 she opened Kandi Luxe; a gold hued venue in Sydney’s Woolloomooloo.
She was best known for her Mardi Gras floats and long running Hot Kandi parties that served up studio 54 vibes for the harbour city’s party people since 2009.
Trish is passionate about bringing people together for good times.
Behind her sequins and daring costumes Trish shares her story about being a former Jehovahs Witness and how she was not allowed to celebrate birthdays or Christmas.
At 17, she married and went on to have four children but when her eldest daughter turned 16 she started to doubt her faith.
That’s when she decided to make a change and break free from her religion.
Her decision was not easy and heart breaking because her mother as well as those within her religious community turned their back on her. It had an impact on her and her children and as a result her marriage broke down after 23 years.
During this period, she hit the party scene on Sydney’s Oxford street and found she was accepted by the gay community.
Despite being new to the club scene, she realised there was a gap in the night scene and there weren’t any great parties with a select group of people offering performances or a great vibe.
This inspired her to create her own, and not long after Hot Kandi Heron, exclusive party planning business was born. There were 385 people at the first party. She selected the right people to attend and chose secret locations for the parties to take place and she also created a theme.
Soon after, she created her own Mardi Gras float to raise breast cancer awareness after her own battle with the disease.
Trishy underwent a 13 hour double skin sparing mastectomy in 2009.
She’s survived the odds and carries on and her story was made into a film Withess My Journey which follows her transition from Jehovah’s Witness to party Queen.
She quotes, “It’s an awesome feeling to share my story but at the same time I’m also humble because I’m a real person and I have time for everyone.”
You can find Trishy at her amazing club ‘Kandi Luxe’ being the hostess with the mostest.
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