Collette Dinnigan is one of Australia’s most successful and celebrated fashion designers. Her work is revered around the world and has appeared in movies and television as well as being worn by fashion icons worldwide, including Princess Mary of Denmark, the Duchess of Cambridge, Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie and Beyoncé. Collette is now extending her considerable talents to writing – she’s the author of a brand new picture book called Louie and Snippy Save the Sea.
Today, she’s on the blog answering a few of our questions about her new book. Read on!
To begin with, why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself – where were you born? Raised? Schooled?
I was born in Durban, South Africa. I left when I was seven years old with my family and spent the next three years sailing the world on a yacht my father built. We settled in New Zealand where I finished my education with a degree in fashion and textiles and then travelled to Europe and back to Australia where I started my career in fashion.
What did you want to be when you were twelve, eighteen and thirty? And why?
When I was 12, I wanted to be a vet or a marine biologist. I was determined to save all the animals in the world! When I was 18, I changed direction as I wanted to leave the education system and both marine biology and veterinary science degrees were 7 years so I went down the arts path and studied fashion and textiles. At 30 my passion was to start an interiors company that would work with my fashion business.
Collette Dinnigan
What are three works of art – book or painting or piece of music, etc – that you can now say had a great effect on you and influenced your own development as a writer?
Peter Baird’s pinned photographic book of Africa has always been an inspiration to me. The Cy Twombly piece of art purchased by the art gallery in Sydney always has me wanting more. Music is also a very important part of my life, whether it’s the tunes of “America” driving in a car to Joni Mitchell or Angus & Julia Stone.
Considering the innumerable artistic avenues open to you, why did you choose to write a picture book?
It just felt right when I was asked if I would. I also believe having a 7 year old son asking “why” and I have a responsibility, as we all do, to guide our children. The book was also meant for adults in a funny kind of way.
Please tell us about your latest book, Louie and Snippy Save the Sea.
It’s about a boy and his trusty dog companion Snippy who dream of having an underwater adventure. As they dive in the beautiful playground they had dreamed of, there were signs of trouble, nothing you could imagine from above. They started talking to the sea creatures and realised that the plastic from the land was ending up in the sea and killing marine life and polluting the water. They realised very quickly they need to get back to shore and tell all their friends of this terrible catastrophe and try and help stop the problem.
Who do you most admire in the realm of writing and why?
I admire all writers who get their material published as it can be a very personally demanding journey and one filled with rejection. As a child I loved classics like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Lion The Witch And The Wardrobe, Alice in Wonderland, Charlotte’s Web and The Wind in the Willows. When I started to read, Black Beauty had to be my favourite as a young girl. As a mum, I have so little time and reading for pleasure has become a luxury.
Many artists set themselves very ambitious goals. What are yours?
I am very excited about Louie and Snippy and hope I get the opportunity to tell many more of their adventures.
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
Just start with whatever comes to mind. Personally I think it is good to have an ending and an adventure in the middle. Editing is also very powerful, it’s so good to have someone you respect to help with this process.
Thanks Collette!
Louie and Snippy Save the Sea
Louie and Snippy: Under the Sea is a story of a little boy whose love of the ocean takes him, and the reader, on an incredible underwater journey.
Louie and his trusty companion, Snippy the dog, dive into the ocean and are surrounded by brilliant coral reefs. But they soon discover that human rubbish - bottles, plastic straws and plastic bags - have trapped fish and other creatures. What will Louie be inspired to do?
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