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Collette Dinnigan

By SARA TEMPLETON

The Dinnigan name is synonymous with Australian fashion design, but it's a little known fact that the prolific designer actually studied the art of the stitch in New Zealand. She graduating from a Wellington Polytech design course and look where she is now.

With big name stars all keen to wear a Dinnigan frock, it's no wonder the designer is getting more and more recognition for her unique perspective on fashion. Local stars Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman and Kylie Minogue have all sported the Dinnigan label. US movie stars Sandra Bullock and Cameron Diaz plus UK socialite Jerry Hall have also shown their allegiance to the label.

The Collette Dinnigan story starts after her graduation from the aforementioned Polytechnic college in New Zealand. Upon completion of her studies, she moved to Australia and landed a job with the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Commission) in Sydney. Working in the costume department, it is said that she brought an historical flavour to the costume design and had an eye for detail.

Collette Dinnigan became a designer label in the early 1990s. Striking out on her own, she quickly became a supplier for a number of outlets across Australasia. After stocking many local boutiques during the early 90s, the Collette Dinnigan label went international, being sold in Asia and America.

But still no Europe.

As such, in 1995 Collette Dinnigan decided to target the European market. What better place to begin such an onslaught than the epicentre of fashion: Paris! She had this to say on her first foray into to Europe: "Paris is a city very sympathetic to what we do. It's an emotional city; it has an air of mystery and it's very seductive and charming." In hindsight, she achieved her goal and was the first Australian designer to showcase a ready to wear range on the catwalks of Paris.

This put Collette Dinnigan firmly on the international map and she now sells to some 80 stores across the globe. There are two Collette Dinnigan stores in Australia, one in Paddington, Sydney, the other in South Yarra, Melbourne. She has also opened a store in London, hoping to get a foothold in the lucrative UK fashion market. As a final testament to her creativity and style, on two The Powerhouse Museum has identified the Collette Dinnigan label as being most representative of Australian design.