KEY POINTS:
It may look like Collette Dinnigan spends an age on her long blond hair and blunt fringe. But she doesn't even blow-dry it, preferring long hair because "you've got to worry about a style if it's short".
Still, she was impressed enough by Sunsilk's second limited edition Fashion
Designer Range to give her name to the Collette Dinnigan Shimmer & Shine shampoo and conditioner. There's also the Alice McCall Shine Lover duo and Peter Morrissey Mirror Shine set (in supermarkets now).
"Sunsilk wanted to portray it as a fashion product at an affordable price, and that you don't necessarily have to be a model to have shiny-looking hair. And it's got real cashmere in there. I thought that was great."
South African-born Dinnigan, a fashion graduate of what was Wellington Polytechnic, has been based in Sydney for 22 years, although she will be spending more time in New Zealand now that her father's going back to his Auckland home.
"I pay my tax in Australia and when I show in Paris [twice a year as part of Paris Fashion Week], I'm representing Australia, but my connection to New Zealand is still very strong."
Dinnigan may be best-known for her red carpet dresses - worn by the likes of Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts and Cameron Diaz - and is stocked in 150 stores internationally from North America to Russia, but she started out doing lingerie and is about to get back to her underwear roots, designing a range for Australian department store Target.
Who or what inspires you?
Some of the chicest women in the world are in India. I think the saris in Rajasthan are beautiful - and the colours! I like that uniformity of one style of dress in different colours and I love parts of Africa like the Congo. Those prints are fantastic. And a lot of the 60s icons such as Brigitte Bardot, Jane Birkin and the Gettys were very glamorous. It was okay to dress up and go on a bicycle ride, or go in the car with a scarf round your neck as opposed to a tracksuit.
Favourite fashion movie?
I loved Out of Africa and The Sheltering Sky, even though I don't think of them as fashion moments, but more of a concept. The white linen shirts and wide linen pants in Out of Africa and the Moroccan sunset and all those beautiful pink and orange hues in the desert inspire me - all that chiffon blowing in the wind.
Favourite accessory?
I always wear good shoes. I've got my little Lanvin [sequinned] ballet slippers on today. You can always wear a good pair of shoes and carry everything off. A simple pair of pants can be an event - with a pair of high sandals.
Favourite outfit?
This summer we had a retro print maxi halter dress in orange, brown and pink. I've taken it everywhere with me. I've found it to be the most practical dress. It's easy to travel with and easy to wear. It's quite surprising as it's not neutral - just so long as you're not seeing the same people every day.
What's on your shopping list for winter?
I've done a Russian rock'n'roll feeling for winter with a lot of feathers. There's a pair of cigarette pants that are really lovely with a beaded stripe down the side and a fantastic pair of high-waisted jodhpurs. You can tuck everything in and get that long, lean, 70s Yves Saint Laurent line happening.
Favourite designers aside from Collette Dinnigan?
Marc Jacobs, Chloe and YSL but I mostly buy handbags and shoes. I try and put aside at least half a day in Paris to shop. I really don't get much time otherwise, what with showing twice a year in Paris, doing my new lingerie collection and the enfant.
Is there anything you'd never wear?
I don't like ugg boots. They do nothing for your ankles. Who wants their feet to look bigger? I do have a pair of sheepskin slippers that I may go as far as my lettuce patch in though.
Any rules you dress by?
If I wear long dresses, I always wear flats with open toes. With short dresses, it's nice to have a bit of a heel. When you've got a lot of leg showing, you can close your toes and wear boots. A good pedicure is always important. There should always be a piece that is the centre of attention, whether it's your shoes, handbag or dress, but not everything together. It's how you edit and it's a hard thing to do.
What's the most overrated item in fashion?
Low-cut hipster jeans with stomachs hanging out and cropped T-shirts together. The jeans are fine if you're a size 8.
Most stylish city?
Paris.
Favourite store?
I love [French department store] Le Bon Marche. Although it doesn't have everything, it's got a very good overview of what's happening in shoes, cosmetics and accessories. And in Sydney, Parterre Garden is full of old and new things for the garden and house.
Best beauty tip?
I don't wear makeup really. You have to drink lots of water I've been told, so I'm trying to do that. I use paw paw cream on my lips and I indulge in Creme De La Mer for my moisturiser. And M.A.C's Fast Response Eye Cream is great for when I get bags from travelling or getting up all night to my daughter.
