The news was met with tremendous sadness, that a giant of the fashion industry passed away this week. At the age of 78, Carla Zampatti has left behind a legacy that will forever remember her, and her incredible designs as being at the very core of Australian fashion. From Princess Mary of Denmark, to Julia Gillard and Nicole Kidman, Carla’s designs have been worn by some of Australia’s most influential women, and worn everywhere from runways to race days and red carpets.
I’ve been a huge fan of the designer for as long as I can remember. I’ve worn pieces from the Carla Zampatti label to events and at the races and in many a magazine, such as the ultra glam gold pants below that I wore on a shoot for The Grace Tales. Most notably, my bridesmaids wore custom Carla Zampatti dresses at my wedding. I knew she would create something beautiful, and to this day, I’m still in love with the design. I’ve attended every show at Fashion Week, and remember each experience as one that would always leave me with new additions to my mental lookbook, and always, always inspired.
Like plenty of wardrobes in Australia, and I’m sure around the world, I have a number of special Carla Zampatti pieces in my closet, both dressy and casual that I will treasure and continue to wear for years to come. I remember the below jacket for a What I Wore shoot several years ago, and to this day it still feels on point—which is just a testament to the classic aesthetic the brand is known for.
It is with great sadness that Carla is farewelled, but what a legacy she leaves. One that has and will continue to shape design and fashion for the foreseeable future. Vale Carla Zampatti.
