collette dinnigan

Yesterday, we were privvy to an intimate showing of Collette Dinnigan's 2013 Bridal collection. Hosted at the newly refurbished Sunset Room at The Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, it was an elegant early-morning affair filled with Ladurée macrons, harbour views, canapés by Pete Evans and last but hardly least — a concise edit of Collette's favourite wedding designs. The designer herself talked us through the current season edit — and in the process reaffirmed Collette's title as Australia's first lady of lace. The finest French laces and the most delicate embellishments were beautifully showcased via her modern yet romantic silhouettes.

We were taken with two gowns in particular; a '60s inspired cotton lace number and a tulle-edged off the shoulder dress in Chantilly lace. Whether you're getting married or just like to dream, these gorgeous gowns are well worth inspecting up close. Step this way to get your front row seat. . . 

InStyle magazine hosted their annual Women of Style Awards last night in Sydney, drawing a fabulously dressed crowd to Eveleigh's CarriageWorks. Designer Carla Zampatti was honoured with the Fashion Award, and an absentee Nicole Kidman was awarded the Hall of Fame gong. We, as usual, were just as interested in scoping out the what the A-list crowd wore to this style-driven event as who-won-what. Lindy Klim wowed in a sculptural Toni Maticevski number, The Voice alumn' Emma Birdsall went the retro route in a brocade Carla Zampatti number, Samara Weaving showed off her killer figure in a sheer-spliced LBD and Kate Waterhouse kept it casual in a relaxed Lanvin top + pant combo. Want to see more? Step inside to zoom in on all the arrival style! 

This year's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia was closed out in the most stylish of ways last night — with a runway party to welcome Elle magazine to the Australian media fold. Lara Bingle, Gracie Otto, Sam Worthington, Jesinta Campbell (and many more stars) joined newly-appointed editor-in-chief, Justine Cullen — formerly of Shop 'Til You Drop magazine — as she officially launched the magazine with a runway show featuring designs from the likes of Collette Dinnigan, Josh Goot and Zimmermann. Model, singer and TV presenter Erika Heynatz also joined the party — she took to the runway to sing Kylie Minogue's "Confide In Me" in French, to loud applause. Elle Australia's first issue will be on sale in late September; in the meantime, check out all the pictures from the extravagant welcoming party!

The team from NET-A-PORTER threw a stylish soirée to honour and celebrate the Australian fashion industry in Sydney's Ananas Bar last night, with designers, editors and industry-insiders pausing from MBFWA to take advantage of the festivities. Designers such as Camilla Freeman-Topper, Anna Plunkett, Collette Dinnigan and Dion Lee rubbed shoulders with Phoebe Tonkin, Samara Weaving and the visiting international N-A-P team, which made for one very well-dressed crowd. Step inside our gallery to see who wore what. 

It's TV's night of nights, and the leading ladies of the show did not disappoint us when it came to their red carpet choices. Golden girl of the night, Carrie Bickmore (she's up for the biggest award of the show, the Gold Logie) wowed when she hit the carpet in a watermelon-hued Steven Khalil gown. Rebecca Judd was on the red carpet next, in a sexy and sheer J'Aton number, while Myer ambassador Lauren Phillips went for full-blown glamour in a metallic Arthur Galan gown, and Jennifer Hawkins literally sparkled in inky Jayson Brundson. We've got all the details on who's wearing what, as it comes through — click on to what all the stars are wearing!

Sydney's most stylish folk frocked up last night to celebrate the best in fashion and beauty at the 2013 Prix de Marie Claire Awards. The black tie gala, hosted by editor Jackie Frank at The Star casino, was full of drama — and not just thanks to the formal dress code. A spectacular perspex runway was suspended high above guests' heads, allowing for a unique viewpoint. International designers were popular with the A-list crowd with Lara Bingle looking chic in Christian Dior, Jodi Gordon donning a fabulously frilled Gucci number and Megan Gale baring a little flesh in black Bottega Veneta. Thigh high splits were a popular choice with designers Sarah Jane Clarke and Heidi Middleton of sass & bide, Terry Biviano and Samantha Wills all showing a little leg — and special mention goes to Kylie Gillies who showed off her spectacular legs thanks to an unexpected gust of wind.

On the fashion-front, the magazine awarded Best Australian Designer to wonderkid Dion Lee, Best Australian Evening Wear Designer went to Collette Dinnigan, Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson were honoured with a Special Achievement Award, Zimmermann scooped the Best Swimwear title, newbie Christopher Esber took home the Best New Designer gong, Rachael Ruddick received the Best Australian Accessory Brand Award, the Best Australian Fashion Brand went to Oroton and sass & bide got a special mention by taking home the award for Fashion With Heart. Readers got their say too, nominating Cue and Samantha Wills for Best Australian Fashion Brand and Best Australian Accessory Brand respectively. Step this way to see the stylish people at play . . . 

One doesn't usually flounce around in full-length gowns on a weekly basis (members of the royal family not withstanding), so it's no wonder that shopping for the dress for the big day can be a daunting prospect for some brides-to-be. Ball-gown or cut on the bias? Tiered lace or full-skirted tulle? There are a plethora of wedding dress options out there, but the best way to get started is to go in with an idea of what will flatter your figure. Just as with bikini or jeans, if you follow some simple body shape guidelines you'll cut your window shopping time in half. Wedding dress of your dreams: comin' atcha. 

Last week brought the last of the 2013 Autumn Winter fashion shows — always a celeb-filled, dreamy time to get inspired by the beauty trends set to roll out as the weather cools down. There were five prominent makeup trends amongst a sea of equally beautiful looks, and the best part is they're all wearbale. From eyes to lips and skin, it's all typically rich and Winter-y — enough to have you fetching your favourite pea coat and finding a fire. Click through to see the five makeup trends to try this Winter, now.

Tresemmé created possibly the shiniest, smoothest hair we've ever seen, for Collette Dinnigan's Autumn Winter showing in Paris over the weekend. She's our Australian contingent in the City of Love, and the beauty look to help showcase her ultra-feminine collection was the picture of lady-like perfection. Luminous skin, top-lash only liner and spidery lashes left us wanting more. Click through to go backstage, and don't forget to zoom.

Collette Dinnigan, our local representative on the Paris Fashion Week circuit, presented a beautiful collection over the weekend showcasing why she's still the go-to designer for unabashedly feminine collections. Knee-length dresses in black and white lace gave a nod to Dinnigan's signature style, while touches of leather and subtle peek-a-boo detailing hinted at an underlying sexuality. To honour her partnership with Woolmark, wool was used alongside fur, lattice-style laser cuts and metallic zig zags, adding a textural element to classic separates, while silhouettes were at two different ends of the style spectrum — close to the body or full and flirty. If you're thinking there's a little something for everyone here, you'd be right. Click through to see it all unfold.