Collette to take on the city of love

PARIS: Australian Designer Collette Dinnigan will use her Paris Fashion Week showcase to launch a fresh assault on the European and Asian markets.

The Sydney-based fashion magnate, who is the first and only Australian designer to be invited to show her collection in Paris by the Chambre Syndicale, said her company had made "major investments" in the region including the appointment of a Paris commercial agent and a public relations and communications agency.

Dinnigan said the appointments, along with a high-profile runway parade at the Carrousel du Louvre on October 7, indicated her commitment to grow the brand globally. Dinnigan currently wholesales to select boutiques in Italy, Germany, Russia and France including the Galeries Lafayette in Paris, Sarajo in Munich and Le Noir in Treviso.

"Paris is the fashion capital of the world and has the most international collection of buyers and press," she said. "[Our company] is growing stockists over Europe, Asia and Russia - there is big growth within the company at present."

Dinnigan said this included a "fresh new approach" to her design aesthetic, with her latest spring/summer offering a streamlined take on Grecian shapes and fabrics. The designer - best known for her delicate, Gallic-inspired dresses - has fused signiture lace, tulle and jersey fabrics with asymmetrical and voluminous cuts. Colours include tangerine, peach and saffron for a "touch of sporty elegance" while detailing such as tulle with zippers give the collection a tougher twist.

Dinnigan will showcase her spring/summer 2008 collection at Le Carrousel du Louvre, Paris at 2pm.