Feeling pretty on the inside

Collette Dinnigan's latest lingerie collection has a romantic feel with a modern twist. Photo / Supplied

If anyone knows the secret to creating beautiful and sexy lingerie it is fashion designer Collette Dinnigan, who today launches her new collection of underwear at Farmers department stores. As one of Australia's leading fashion designers Dinnigan has forged a career out of creating feminine, flirty outfits made from luxurious and embellished fabrics. Every season she shows in Paris and her clothes are stocked in leading stores around the world. But it was lingerie that first got her noticed when she launched her label back in 1990.

Delicate lace knickers, bras and slips were snaffled up by fashionistas and the brand grew at such a rate she was the first Australian to show a full-scale ready-to-wear collection in Paris five years later. The Collette by Collette Dinnigan collection of lingerie is exclusive to Farmers and the designer says she was inspired by everything from her love of travel, fabrics found in antique markets in France, the patterns of fine bone china, and embossed wallpaper. The result? A range of vintage-inspired lingerie with a reasonable price tag.

What is your first fashion memory?
A picture of my mother in South Africa. It captures a moment in time - she is dressed up and ready to go out and looks beautiful.

What were your first steps into fashion?
My mother had a fabric shop when we were kids and I used to love cutting out old Butterick patterns and playing with the designs. Taking a size 18 pattern and making it an 8, re-sized to fit me.

What do you feel is your greatest fashion achievement?
Being on the committee of the Chambre Syndicale du pret-a-porter des couturiers et des createaurs de mode in Paris, the committee responsible for fashion shows in Paris that are accredited, such as Christian Dior and Louis Vuitton.

What is the most challenging part of your job?
Managing people and meeting deadlines.

You travel regularly to show in Paris: what/how do you pack?
I tend to pack light - a great pair of heels, a well tailored coat, a classic evening bag and a long dress that works for day or night.

What is your most treasured item at the moment?
Some beautiful earrings my partner Bradley gave me, but more than anything else I treasure my family.

What are the most recent items you've bought for your wardrobe?
YSL ankle boots from Cosmopolitan Shoes, - I wear them with black opaque tights teamed with long or short dresses. They go with everything.

What cosmetics are you lost without?
La Mer face cream, Lucas' papaw ointment and M.A.C face and body.

Tell us about your new lingerie collection for Farmers.
The collaboration with Farmers was a great opportunity to offer a lingerie range that is elegant and luxurious but, most importantly, accessible to everyone. Lingerie has always been an important part of my wardrobe, dressing from the inside out and wearing well-fitting underwear makes a big difference to how you feel in your clothes.

There has been a big focus on creating designs and shapes that are comfortable and wearable without compromising on style. From boy leg, french cut, briefs and g-strings to chemises and many different bras, the collection caters to the female form in every shape.

What are the hottest pieces?
The Pin Up Spot cream satin story is really great range and I love the playful shape of the silk Flirt Spot G-string. The frill detail is fun but flattering, it is all about looking good and feeling comfortable. One of the must-have styles is the champagne rose plunge bra and boy shorts - the natural tones make it easy to wear everyday but the beautiful lace ensures you feel special wearing it.

What was your inspiration?
The vintage shapes of lingerie from the 40s and 50s was the starting point for the collection which has given it a romantic feel but with a modern twist. I find that as I travel I collect things that often find their way into my design, scraps of 1920s and 30s floral wallpaper, china tea cups and delicate pieces of antique lace from French markets.

Lace is amazing as it is like a fingerprint and can be very distinctive to a company, vintage pieces can be traced back hundreds of years through their archives. It is like a treasure chest working with some of these manufacturers and seeing what has been developed over the years.

What did you enjoy most?
The design process is always the most exciting part, seeing how small pieces of inspiration come together to create an entire collection. I also enjoy building the brand's personality as the designs are translated through photoshoots and packaging.

Why did you want to work with a New Zealand department store?
I am always drawn to New Zealand because of the strong ties and memories from my childhood and working with a department store allows the collection to have greater distribution. For me, it is where customers still go to buy underwear because of the selection available.

What are you working on now?
The Collette Dinnigan ready-to-wear collection for Paris in October this year and the next lingerie collection for 2011.

Your philosophy for life is ...
It is better to regret what you have done than to regret not having done it.

* Collette by Collette Dinnigan goes on sale in all Farmers stores today. Prices range from $19-$59.