Vogue editor Edwina McCann salutes designer Collette Dinnigan

COLLETTE Dinnigan hasn't only helped shape how women dress: she's also changed the ambitions of young designers, writes Vogue editor Edwina McCann.

Since she launched her label over 24 years ago, Collette Dinnigan has become one of Australia's greatest female icons, whose signature style - pretty, feminine and always elegant - has never changed.

Early in her career, Dinnigan worked for the ABC in its costume department. She learnt very early on how to fit costumes to a character, which is essentially how a designer must approach dressing women for the red carpet. Then, in the early '90s, after she had been designing a line of high-end French-inspired underwear, she expanded from romantic lingerie to beautifully detailed clothes made from French fabrics and hand-embroidered in India.

In 1995, she was invited to show at Paris by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture - a truly impressive achievement. Today, she's still the only Australian designer to receive this honour. Dinnigan hasn't only been influential in shaping how women dress: she's also changed the ambitions of young Australian designers. Dinnigan has done what Nicole Kidman and Cate Blanchett have achieved on the red carpet: proven that there's no reason why an Australian can't become a global name.

Dinnigan is the ultimate seamstress who can perfectly cut and drape a dress on the bias. I still remember the day, 14 years ago, when she arrived armed with her sewing machine to Sarah Murdoch's wedding, ready to make any last-minute changes to Sarah's wedding gown.

Dinnigan has dressed celebrities, ranging from Halle Berry and Nicole Kidman to Julia Roberts and Cate Blanchett. Whatever the occasion, her gorgeous lingerie-style dresses, lace pieces and feminine prints are fail-proof. And where would the bride be without Collette Dinnigan? She has transformed countless women into princesses for their wedding day.

While news recently broke that Dinnigan will be closing the parts of her business that are seasonally focused, she will continue to work on her diffusion line, Collette by Collette Dinnigan and relaunch her children's line, Collette Dinnigan Enfant. There has been a lot of speculation over exactly why she has decided to pull back. Simply, showing in Paris every six months is exhausting. Dinnigan has showed at Paris fashion week for almost two decades, working to a gruelling six-month schedule. You are beholden to those shows and, ready or not, the collections will go ahead. Scaling back her business is an informed lifestyle choice, which will allow her to spend more time with her family.

Dinnigan's sense of adventure, determination and passion have led her to become Australia's most recognised international fashion star. She is a dynamic, inspiring woman and her influence on Australian fashion is remarkable.

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