Australian fashion designer Carla Zampatti, renowned for her elegant designs and commitment to women’s empowerment, has passed away at the age of 78.
Her family announced her death after a fall in Sydney. Zampatti’s contributions to the world of fashion and her advocacy for women’s rights made her an influential figure in Australia and beyond.
Celebrities like Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, and former Prime Minister Julia Gillard have donned Zampatti’s creations. Despite facing radical social changes, Zampatti continued to thrive as a businesswoman and designer, catering to women’s evolving needs from the women’s rights movement in the 1960s to the empowerment of women today.
Zampatti was an innovator, introducing swimwear into her collections during the early 1970s when Australia was still socially conservative. Born in Italy in 1942, she and her family immigrated to Australia in 1950. In 1965, she launched her first small fashion collection, eventually founding Carla Zampatti Pty Ltd in 1970.
A trailblazing entrepreneur, Zampatti opened numerous boutiques across Australia and held various directorships. She also served as the chairwoman of the Special Broadcasting Service, an Australian public service broadcaster.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison paid tribute to Zampatti, praising her as a great and inspirational Australian. He highlighted her impact not only in fashion but as a pioneer entrepreneur and advocate for multiculturalism.
On Zampatti’s online memorial page, a customer expressed how her designs made them feel confident, elegant, and empowered.
Carla Zampatti leaves behind a legacy that transcends generations, with three children from two marriages and nine grandchildren. Her contributions to fashion and women’s empowerment will be remembered as timeless, just like her designs.
