Designer Collette Dinnigan was the first Australian to launch a ready-to-wear collection in Paris.<br/> <br />Now, 17 years since her debut in the French capital, the 45-year-old is proving she's still got it.<br/> <br />Like a fine wine, she says it's longevity that makes the difference:<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE: Collette Dinnigan, saying (English):<br/> <br />"I think like anything in life, to have a history, shows. It's like doing time isn't it. You do have a history and there's a lot of hindsight now but it's great, it's what I do, it's my job. I don't do my collections to be the only Australian in Paris but it's a very tough city and most people would agree it's the number one fashion capital of the world. The designers here are incredible."<br/> <br />Inspired by Mel Gibsons' films "Braveheart" and "Mad Max'' Dinnigan's Paris Fashion Week show, mixed sweet looks with more dark and mysterious ones.<br/> <br />Called "Highlander" her collection emphasised the natural shape of a woman's body.<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE: Collette Dinnigan, saying (English):<br/> <br />"I think it's very much about the contrast about a very innocent and rosy cheeks and snow drops and swan feathers. It's the innocence of a child mixed with that very dark side of the ice queen, very strong studded, icicles, almost sequinned icicles and I like mixing it together with different lengths and the contrasts to make it much more confident so soft and hard really, male and female."<br/> <br />Excelling in Paris as the week came to a close; Dinnigan has dressed some of the world's most glamorous women - including fellow Australian Miranda Kerr and Britain's Duchess of Cambridge - Kate Middleton.<br/> <br />Sarah Mills, Reuters
