12:00a.m. 2nd July 2008

Fashion designer Collette Dinnigan.

Collette Dinnigan is somewhat of a “global phenomenon”.

South African-born Dinnigan studied design in New Zealand but has been based in Sydney for 22 years.

“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,” she said.

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 Target stores.

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 I like that uniformity of one style of dress in different colours.

I love parts of Africa like the Congo – those prints are fantastic.

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. 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.

Is there anything you’d never wear?

I don’t like ugg boots.

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. There should always be a piece that is the centre of attention, whether it’s your shoes, handbag or dress, but not everything together. 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.

Best beauty tip?

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.

— THE NEW ZEALAND HERALD