Australian show hits the runway

Designer Collette Dinnigan was the first Australian to launch a ready-to-wear collection in Paris.

Now, 17 years since her debut in the French capital, the 45-year-old is proving she's still got it.

Like a fine wine, she says it's longevity that makes the difference:

SOUNDBITE: Collette Dinnigan, saying (English):

"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."

Inspired by Mel Gibsons' films "Braveheart" and "Mad Max'' Dinnigan's Paris Fashion Week show, mixed sweet looks with more dark and mysterious ones.

Called "Highlander" her collection emphasised the natural shape of a woman's body.

SOUNDBITE: Collette Dinnigan, saying (English):

"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."

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.

Sarah Mills, Reuters