Collette
Dinnigan AO

Collette Dinnigan is one of the country’s most successful and celebrated fashion and interior designers. In 2017 Collette was awarded an Order of Australia, and was also the Special Guest Editor for Vogue Living’s ‘Italian’ issue.

Collette is currently living in Rome, Italy where she is writing two children's books and using her interior design skills to renovate a farmhouse in Puglia.

Previous experience

Collette became the first Australian to mount a full-scale ready-to-wear collection in Paris in October 1995, and in 1996 was invited by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture to show on the prestigious Paris Fashion Week schedule. In 2008, she was invited to join the esteemed executive board of the organisation.

Her list of awards is long. She won Australian Designer of the Year in 1996, and, most notably, the Louis Vuitton’s Business Award in 1997. She received the Award for Excellence from Fashion Group International in 1998. The same year she was appointed Chairperson of The New South Wales Small Business Development Corporation, having previously participated as an advisor to the South Australian Wool Board.

In July 2000, a selection of the Collette Dinnigan 2001 Autumn / Winter collection and her Resort 2001 range were exhibited in the London’s Victoria & Albert Museum, for Fashion In Motion. The following year, she teamed up with iconic UK retailer Marks & Spencer to launch well-priced lingerie called Wild Hearts.

On September 2nd, 2015, the Honorable Julie Bishop opened Collette’s retrospective exhibition, Collette Dinnigan: Unlaced, at the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, Powerhouse Museum.

In October 2015, Collette disrupted the retail industry releasing a limited edition, affordable childrenswear range Young Hearts for German retailer Aldi. The collaboration was described by Retail Doctor Group’s Brian Walker as “one of the most brilliant tactical promotional activities seen in the past few years”.

With several successful and ongoing collaborations with luxury brands globally, she offers insights into how collaboration, innovation and leadership affect a business’ performance and profitability and why using your Instinct and taking risks is a business essential.