By Phillip D. Johnson
The brief for the Collette Dinnigan 2013 Fall/Winter RTW Collection tells the story of a woman who “general[ly] lived what would be considered a reasonably quiet albeit stylish life. Never outwardly flamboyant she secretly got a thrill out of being studied. She liked to sit. She liked being painted.” The Collette Dinnigan woman for Fall/Winter 2013 “loved to be depicted in dark oils, as her wardrobe was as brooding as her thoughts: all olive, inky blues, midnight pitchy black and her only concession to colour was with touches of sky blue and early sunrise red.” But she also has a sense of adventure. In addition to her usual classic go-to fabrics, she also added French lace (w0ven with thick threads) and leather accents (especially a leather insert on a long sleeve cocktail dress) in shapes that are somewhat rigorous (for day) but yet quietly showcases her sexuality and passion ((for night).
This collection from the South African-born and Australian-based designer, held at the Le Meurice hotel on March 3, 2013 in Paris, France (during Paris Fashion Week), was a solid effort all-around. Although there were a few pieces that slightly missed the mark (after all, very few collections are perfect), she managed to move from daywear to evening quite seamlessly without losing the theme. I was particularly impressed with her French lace pieces and her sequined dresses in pearl and grey (for evening). There’s nothing here a woman of style and distinction wouldn’t want to own and wear. These are investment pieces that the Collette Dinnigan customer can–and will–wear for years to come. www.collettedinnigan.com.au
PHOTO GALLERY
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Photo Credit: Kristy Sparrow/Getty Images for Collette Dinnigan