Carla Zampatti: an ode to a fashion legend

Carla Zampatti’s enduring legacy in fashion and in politics.

When I was a junior fashion editor and tasked with photographing the then deputy leader of the opposition, Julia Gillard, ahead of the forthcoming election for the cover of the Weekend Australian Magazine, I turned to Carla Zampatti. A beautifully cut white suit elevated Julia’s image and made her look more Estée Lauder than Labor Party. Carla’s clothes were a failsafe option for dressing every woman, from celebrity to politician, and her timeless designs were often a go-to for those working behind the scenes.

Julie Bishop and Carla Zampatti in 2006.

Julia wore Carla — whose death was confirmed yesterday following a “terrible” fall at the opera in Sydney last week — for most of her political career and often frequented Carla’s Canberra boutique. And she wasn’t alone; Carla was the first name for Australian women who needed elegant, yet professional clothes that blended beauty with smart, no-nonsense tailoring.

Carla knew what Australian women needed in their wardrobes for everything from boardrooms and politics and consistently delivered. One both sides of the party room, Carla’s clothes could be found — a draped pants suit here, a simple cut dress there. The former Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party, Julie Bishop, was one of her biggest admirers.

Zampatti backstage at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Picture: Getty

“Carla was grace personified, her style, her clothing, her fashion sense and how she lived her life was an inspiration to Australian women,” Bishop remembers of the legendary designer.

At home and abroad, Carla’s designs were won by famous faces en masse. Adjacent to the world of politics, Princess Mary of Denmark was a fan of Carla’s no-nonsense pieces. Choosing a regal pale pink gown for an official portrait in 2015, the princess nodded to her roots by choosing Carla’s design for such an important occasion. It reaffirmed her statute within the Australian fashion community — Carla really was a matriarch for our small community.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison with Carla Zampatti. Source: Facebook

Zampatti with daughter Bianca Spender. Picture: Getty

Personally, Carla’s trailblazing attitude towards design is of great inspiration to me. She was an outspoken feminist who pioneered her own path in an era when all the odds were stacked against her. It is a testament to her vision that she recently celebrated 55 years in business, and has remained always as innovative as her early days.

I will remember Carla so fondly, and will forever cherish all those special pieces I personally have in my wardrobe. She will be dearly missed, both for her tenacious spirit but also for the lasting mark she’s left on Australian fashion. As she put it to Vogue herself, “No one throws away Carla!”