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Collette Dinnigan is no overnight success. Dedicated work and a passionate feeling for what women really want to wear bear their beginnings in New Zealand. In her late teens, Collette attended Wellington Polytechnic. On graduation, she moved to Australia and began her career in fashion, working for the Costume Department of the Australian Broadcasting Commission in Sydney. Attention to detail and a historical perspective on both fabrication and design were the result.
Stepping out on her own in 1990, the Collette Dinnigan label was born. Collette's distinctive style meant her in-demand designs were snapped up by hip boutiques and department stores in Australia and New Zealand. Barney's New York, Neiman Marcus, Harvey Nichols and Joyce in Hong Kong were soon to follow and an international presence was established. In 1995 Collette became the first Australian based designer to mount a full-scale ready to wear parade in Paris and she remains the only one to have been invited to do so by the Chambre Syndicale du prêt-a-porter des couturiers et des createurs de mode.
Collette's design and business acumen have been recognised on many occasions, notably by winning the 1997 Louis Vuitton Business Award.
She was chosen as Australian 'Designer of the Year' in 1996, awarded the 1998 'Award for Excellence' by Fashion Group International and was inducted into the 'Business-Woman's Hall of Fame'.
Collette's design and business acumen have been recognised on many occasions, notably by winning the 1997 Louis Vuitton Business Award.
She was chosen as Australian 'Designer of the Year' in 1996, awarded the 1998 'Award for Excellence' by Fashion Group International and was inducted into the 'Business-
Below: Collette Dinnigan’s “Wild Hearts” Collection for Target - Photo courtesy of Collette Dinnigan
In May 1998, Collette was appointed Chairperson of The New South Wales Small Business Development Corporation, having previously participated as an adviser to The South Australian Wool Board in 1997. Awarded in 2001 and 2003 Australia's 50 Most Beautiful Exports Award and in Paris 2002 she was honoured with the Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World Award. In April 2004 Collette Dinnigan was presented with the “CLEO and Maybelline” Celebrity Designer of the Year Award, and was also honoured for her contribution to the industry by being presented with the Hall of Fame Award for outstanding achievement. This was voted for by a panel of her peers.
Collette Dinnigan Continues to Mesmerise the Fashion World with her eye catching and versatile designs. Season after season, Collette Dinnigan comes up with those fantastic designs that are adored all around the world.
Recently Collette Dinnigan released her Winter 08 collection at the Paris show titled “Midnight in Moscow” and she has also released a lingerie range for Target titled “Wild Hearts for Target”.
While a lot of designers get locked into one type of design with little or no variation from year to year, Collette Dinnigan keeps on amazing the fashion world with a range of stunning designs.
Although Australian in creative essence, the Collette Dinnigan trademark is known throughout the world. Every garment is carefully hand made in Sydney, Australia and shipped to an ever-eager clientele. The collection is merchandised in prestigious stores around the world from the Middle East to the East Coast of the United States.
Left: Collette Dinnigan, Below: Some of her Designs - Photos courtesy of Collette Dinnigan
In July 2000, a selection of Collette’s Autumn/Winter collection and Resort 2001 range, was honoured by London’s Victoria & Albert Museum at one of their “Fashion in Motion” events. The selection of her designs featured the exquisite hand-made beaded and embroidered eveningwear for which Collette is internationally famed.
In 2001 Collette teamed up with iconic UK retailer Marks & Spencer and launched an exclusive lingerie collection under the name of “Wild Hearts”.
Collette continues to confirm and strengthen her commitment to Australian retailer David Jones Department Stores by opening ‘in store boutiques’ in Sydney (Elizabeth Street and Bondi Junction), Melbourne and Perth.
In January 2005, Collette Dinnigan was honoured with a stamp issue by Australia Post as part of their Australian legends 2005 campaign.
In March 2005, Collette was voted “Best Australian Designer” by the readers of In Style magazine. In May 2005 she was honoured by Marie Claire magazine, receiving two awards – ‘Readers Choice Winner for Best Australian Designer” and the prestigious “Outstanding Achievement in Fashion” award.
In August 2006 Collette Dinnigan Enfant (children’s wear) made its debut in Collette Dinnigan boutiques and David Jones stores nationally as well as exclusive boutiques throughout the US, UK, Middle East and Asia. The philosophy behind Collette Dinnigan Enfant is to produce beautiful pieces that are affordable, wearable, versatile and child friendly.
August 2006 Collette became the new face of the American Express My Life. My Card campaign and is the only Australian to feature in both an American Express television commercial and print campaign. The ad is the next instalment of the “My life. My card” campaign, which shares stories and lesser known aspects of the lives of many extraordinary people including, actor and director Robert De Niro, actor Anthony La Paglia, actress Kate Winslet, tennis star Venus Williams and professional golfer Tiger Woods.
The TVC tells the story of Collette’s extraordinary background and how these diverse influences have come together to shape both her and her work. From Africa, the ocean, to New Zealand, India, Paris and finally Sydney, we see all these influences magically evolve and eventually culminate into one of Collette’s designs.
January 2007 Collette was honoured alongside Olivia Newton John, at the G’DAY New York Penfolds American Australian Association (AAA) Gala on Friday 17th January 2007. “We are thrilled to have two great Australian icons, Olivia Newton John and Collette Dinnigan participating in our G’Day USA celebrations. Their undeniable talents and achievements are an inspiration to us all,” said Australian Consul General to New York, the Hon John Olsen
“I am delighted and humbled to be honoured in the international arena for doing something I am truly passionate about. Australian fashion is now recognised internationally and I am proud to be a part of that” said Dinnigan.
March 2007 Collette triumphantly returned to the Paris catwalk with her Autumn/Fall 2007 Collection “Equinox Girl” at the Carrousel du Louvre. Collette Dinnigan was the very first Australian designer to be invited to show her Collection in Paris by the Chambre Syndicale. Collette has been showing her Collection in Paris now for thirteen years and to this date remains the only Australian on the Paris schedule.
More information on Collette Dinnigan’s design can be found at www.collettedinnigan.com.
In March 2005, Collette was voted “Best Australian Designer” by the readers of In Style magazine. In May 2005 she was honoured by Marie Claire magazine, receiving two awards – ‘Readers Choice Winner for Best Australian Designer” and the prestigious “Outstanding Achievement in Fashion” award.
In August 2006 Collette Dinnigan Enfant (children’s wear) made its debut in Collette Dinnigan boutiques and David Jones stores nationally as well as exclusive boutiques throughout the US, UK, Middle East and Asia. The philosophy behind Collette Dinnigan Enfant is to produce beautiful pieces that are affordable, wearable, versatile and child friendly.
August 2006 Collette became the new face of the American Express My Life. My Card campaign and is the only Australian to feature in both an American Express television commercial and print campaign. The ad is the next instalment of the “My life. My card” campaign, which shares stories and lesser known aspects of the lives of many extraordinary people including, actor and director Robert De Niro, actor Anthony La Paglia, actress Kate Winslet, tennis star Venus Williams and professional golfer Tiger Woods.
The TVC tells the story of Collette’s extraordinary background and how these diverse influences have come together to shape both her and her work. From Africa, the ocean, to New Zealand, India, Paris and finally Sydney, we see all these influences magically evolve and eventually culminate into one of Collette’s designs.
January 2007 Collette was honoured alongside Olivia Newton John, at the G’DAY New York Penfolds American Australian Association (AAA) Gala on Friday 17th January 2007. “We are thrilled to have two great Australian icons, Olivia Newton John and Collette Dinnigan participating in our G’Day USA celebrations. Their undeniable talents and achievements are an inspiration to us all,” said Australian Consul General to New York, the Hon John Olsen
“I am delighted and humbled to be honoured in the international arena for doing something I am truly passionate about. Australian fashion is now recognised internationally and I am proud to be a part of that” said Dinnigan.
March 2007 Collette triumphantly returned to the Paris catwalk with her Autumn/Fall 2007 Collection “Equinox Girl” at the Carrousel du Louvre. Collette Dinnigan was the very first Australian designer to be invited to show her Collection in Paris by the Chambre Syndicale. Collette has been showing her Collection in Paris now for thirteen years and to this date remains the only Australian on the Paris schedule.
More information on Collette Dinnigan’s design can be found at www.collettedinnigan.com.
