Collette Dinnigan: the fashion icon’s new chapter

In the notoriously competitive world of fashion, there are few names as synonymous with success as Collette Dinnigan. 

From her groundbreaking debut at Paris Fashion Week in 1996 – the first Australian designer to showcase a ready-to-wear collection at an event heralded as the pinnacle of the global fashion calendar – Dinnigan has carved out a legacy that spans over three decades. 

She went on to curate 33 shows at Paris while building an A-list clientele including Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Angelina Jolie, to firmly establish herself as an industry icon. 

Since taking a step back to focus on family in 2013, Dinnigan has turned her talents to a range of passion projects ranging from homewares and interior design and now as a best-selling author. 

Her creative drive, inherited from a mother who filled their home with art and music, has always pushed her to explore and innovate beyond the expected. 

As an artist, Dinnigan reflects on the importance of being able to balance her creativity with a head for commerce. She reflects on intentionally combining her design and fashion studies with a business organisation course. 

“Having that balance wasn't necessarily my forte, but it disciplined me to understand where the incomings and outgoings were, which was really financial. And you need to have that kind of an outlook because I don't think you can ever hope for something in business. You’ve got to be very cautious in how you plan your growth - particularly if you're responsible for staff and their families."
 

Like most success stories, Dinnigan’s rise to fame didn’t come easily. In fact, when she first sought to bring her designs to the Australian market, she faced rejection from local department stores including David Jones and Myer. 

The pushback only fuelled her determination. "Rejection can be the greatest motivator," she explains. "Barneys in New York picked up my collection, and from there, my brand gained global traction. Sometimes what you think will happen isn’t what actually happens, but that’s where your instincts come in."

Those instincts, paired with an unrelenting work ethic, have guided her through an extraordinary career. Dinnigan’s intricate designs – recognisable for her signature lace, prints and embellishments - have been worn not just by Hollywood starlets, but actual royalty including the Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Mary of Denmark. 

But fashion has always been about more than just aesthetics for Dinnigan, who has advocated for ethical practices long before they were fashionable. 

"I spent a lot of time ensuring my business was ethically correct," she says. Growing up in New Zealand, I was very mindful of landfill and the environment, even back then.”

In addition to her fashion empire, Dinnigan has recently ventured into the world of publishing with her coffee table book Bellissima: An Australian–Italian Affair. It offers a rare glimpse into her private world, showcasing her carefully curated homes in Bowral, Darling Point, Rome, and a holiday retreat in Puglia. 

For Dinnigan, it’s another outlet for her creative expression: a visual feast, filled with stunning photography and personal anecdotes that capture the essence of her journey. "I love Italy and I've had a big romance with the country. It's so different from the top end to the bottom end -  I love the extremes."

Recently, Dinnigan was the guest speaker at Westpac's Illuminate event, a program that supports 82 top female talents and aspiring leaders through General Manager sponsorship. Her insights and experiences continue to inspire and influence new generations of female change makers.

Sartorial elegance aside, she stresses the recipe to success is found in hard work, an inherent love for what she does, and a honed instinct. "As women in business, we wear many hats. We’re not just business leaders; we’re the heart of the family, too. It's always been about extremes for me, but that’s what women do—we find a way to make it work."

For those starting out, be it in finance or fashion, Dinnigan's offers three pearls of wisdom:

1. You have to be passionate, because it's hard work. And if it doesn't seem like hard work, you’re already ahead.
2. Understand the business side—how to balance your books and manage money. Gone are the days when you could just be an artist. If you’re going to succeed, you have to be commercial too.
3. [For those wanting to follow her footsteps into fashion] “In my days it was all about the retail strip. Now, it's not as important to where you place yourself as to your presence on the internet or with social media. Instagram has become one of the most powerful tools in selling a product, and you need to be very well versed to that or have a team behind you that can manage it.”