Press & Media
Sept 2022 - Vogue Living
Black Barn Bowral.
They say when one door closes another opens, and for Collette Dinnigan, departing fashion in 2013 has been replaced with a clutch of creative pursuits.
Dinnigan, one of Australia’s most celebrated designers, has turned her focus to an extensive portfolio of projects, including curating and hosting experiences and stays in and around the New South Wales South Coast, as well as restoring and revitalising crumbling properties with her husband, Bradley Cocks and son, Hunter, in tow.
One such locale happens to be in the idyllic Southern Highlands, where Dinnigan unveiled her AirBnb offering Black Barn Bowral in 2020. Featuring pieces from her travels throughout Europe, especially Italy, the renovated farmhouse delivers the kind of “refined and authentic country experience” Dinnigan lives for, made all the better with a roaring open fire, rustic floorboards and modern luxuries, all just two minutes away from the town of Bowral where Dinnigan’s main residence is located.
It’s no wonder, then, that when the Vogue Living team approached Dinnigan to spotlight a beloved destination and share its local insights, she chose the picturesque region.
From where to find the best pastries, cheese and wine, to exploring one of the state’s newest artistic hubs, the designer has curated the perfect jaunt through the New South Wales Southern Highlands which blends both culinary and creative pursuits – and who doesn’t love that?
STAY
Ideal for a family getaway: After 18 months worth of renovations, Dinnigan’s Black Barn Bowral is the perfect stay for a family or group of friends looking to escape to the country. With enough space to sleep six comfortably, the barn is handcrafted with recycled materials, including floorboards made from Danish cheese boards and bathroom tiles crafted from salvaged French marble. The handsome barn is a short drive from Bowral’s village centre and has sweeping views of the Southern Highlands. Visitors can reserve it through AirBnb.