Tears and laughter were shared by the more than 150 brightly dressed mourners who gathered on a rainy morning at the New Zealand-born model's memorial service in Surry Hills.
A red carpet stretched out in front of the Beresford Hotel, while inside mourners were reported to be sipping on champagne among white lilies, candles and balloons.
Close friend and television personality Richard Wilkins gave the opening eulogy for the 47-year-old star, who was found dead in her Sydney apartment last Saturday after a well-publicised battle with depression.
"Charlotte was, as we all know, one in an absolute million - an original. She touched us all and she made our world a much better place," he said.
Wilkins said he wished they were not gathered today.
"But here we all are, putting on a brave face," he said.
"Today is a celebration of a wonderful and spectacular life of one of the most beautiful and generous, sharp and witty, sparkling and effervescent, honest and uncompromising people ever put on the planet."
Dawson's sister Vicky Dawson reportedly drew laughter as she presented an urn containing Charlotte's ashes, saying: "And here she is with us."
The star had always managed to stay beautiful, she said. "And in our minds you will always stay that way."
Ms Dawson told mourners her sister had been cremated in an orange Alex Perry dress at a private family ceremony on Wednesday, the Daily Telegraph reported.
Perry, who was among numerous fashion designers at today's service, said Dawson was a friend who always made him laugh.
"She was a thoughtful, funny, beautiful, fragile girl who wanted to be loved."
The designer also lashed out at the online trolls who had bullied her on social media.
"No one has the right to say that to another human being - it's not okay, it's not on."
Among the mourners were singer Delta Goodrem, media magnate Lachlan Murdoch and wife Sarah, and a bevy of models including former Miss Universe Laura Dundovic.
Dawson's ex-husband, swimmer Scott Miller, was not present, AAP reported.
A New Zealand service is expected to be held for Dawson's friends and family here.
Charlotte Dawson confronted bullying in her life. This is what you can do
Social media/ online: Contact internet safety group NetSafe and ask for advice. NetSafe is in touch with sites such as Facebook and also the police.
Make use of privacy settings and block a person from getting access to your social media page.
If the bullying is of a threatening nature or becomes very frequent, contact police. Save the messages so you can show police, but do not reply to the bully.
Tell a friend, parent, teacher or other trusted adult. You are not alone.
Bullying via cellphone: - Text/ call bullying: Don't reply or answer the phone. Block the number. Most telecommunication companies give customers an option of blocking phone numbers. You can do this on your phone when editing a contact or call your cell phone provider and ask them to do it. Blocking a number will stop you from receiving any messages, calls or pxts from that particular contact. They will not know they have been blocked.
Vodafone: Has a Blacklist feature. Text: "Blacklist Add (enter mobile number) to 713).
Telecom: Report spam: Forward the message to 7726 - the spam message and sending number will be entered into a registry and investigated by Internal Affairs.
2degrees: Call 200 to report bullying.
The Harmful Digital Communications Bill: - Has just gone through its first reading and due to be heard in Parliament again in a few weeks.
- If passed, anyone who sends offensive or threatening messages can be either fined up to $2,000 or jailed for up to three months.
- Urging someone to commit suicide can lead to three years in jail.
Where to get help
Lifeline - 0800 543 354
Depression Helpline (8 am to 12 midnight) - 0800 111 757
Healthline - 0800 611 116\
Samaritans - 0800 726 666 (for callers from the Lower North Island, Christchurch and West Coast) or 0800 211 211 / (04) 473 9739 (for callers from all other regions)
Suicide Crisis Helpline (aimed at those in distress, or those who are concerned about the wellbeing of someone else) - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Youthline - 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz
What's Up (for 5-18 year olds; 1 pm to 11 pm) - 0800 942 8787
Kidsline (aimed at children up to 14 years of age; 4 pm to 6 pm weekdays) - 0800 54 37 54 (0800 kidsline)
