I met Collette Dinnigan 12 years ago on a yacht in New Zealand. She was a successful fashion designer in Australia. We had been invited for the Louis Vuitton Cup and had spent some time together during that visit.

She had been to Mumbai many times after that. A free soul with a positive spirit, Collette became one of the most successful designers in Australia. I had not seen her in eight years, although post our New Zealand trip, we had become quite friendly. However, with time and distance, we lost touch. Recently, I received a message from her and we decided to catch up.

It was one of those chaotic weekends when too many things were happening at one time, but I was keen on meeting her. She said she would be waiting for me at the Taj, wearing a white dress. When I walked in at the hotel and to the poolside looking out for a slender and tall Collette, I saw someone in a white dress at the edge of the pool talking to a little girl who was in the water. We looked at each other and then looked away. And then I went up to her “Could it be her?” I asked myself. Is she a mother now?

She introduced me to her husband Bradley and her daughter Estella. “Children become your priority,” she said, adding, “I find my work to be much more intense, as I have less time for chit-chat and impromptu trips do not happen as often as they used to. I was always such a spontaneous person.” I remember when Collette used to just show up and say, “I am here.”

I agreed with her about work becoming more intense with the responsibility of being a mother. You just want to get home and assume a mother’s role and have enough time to love and cuddle your children. “My travelling has definitely taken a back seat, with little time for pleasure. However, having said all that, I would not have it any other way,” said Collette, while helping Estella wrap a towel around her, as she stepped out of the pool.

Collette designs and creates beautiful clothes. She was wearing a simple cotton dress with pretty blue embroidered detailing, a part of a ready to wear line and was excited by that. “Getting back to designing after many years does not get any easier. In fact, it gets harder, as one is constantly striving for best results. One has to be passionate, otherwise you don’t survive,” she shrugged.

We spoke about success and wanted to know how she felt after working so hard and making a name for her. “It is great to be recognised, but I believe it is also empowering for the team to be working in a company that is successful. For me, I think success is about finding more time for myself.” A wonderful way to define success!

Collette had moved on from being a single hardworking woman to an obviously happily married and much loved successful woman. It was great to see that. “Always trust your instincts. First impressions can be deceiving, but gut feeling is not. Many a times people are defensive and cannot accept that they are wrong. Making mistakes is never fun, but one has to learn something from it,” she explained.

Collette said, “I have learnt not to just listen to those who are good at talking, but to talk to those who don’t say much at all. Some of the best ideas come from those who are not senior.” We hugged as I promised to visit her in Australia this time sooner than later.