Carla Zampatti to be given state funeral

Legendary fashion designer to be farewelled with state honours as tributes flow for trailblazing ‘powerhouse’.

Legendary Australian fashion designer Carla Zampatti will be given a state funeral, the NSW Premier has confirmed.

Zampatti died in hospital on Saturday after complications from a fall at the opera in Sydney last week. She was 78.

“The family of Australian fashion icon Carla Zampatti AC has accepted the NSW Government’s offer of a State Funeral,” Premier Gladys Berejiklian said in a statement on Sunday.

“Carla was talented, generous and inspiring. A true trailblazer in every respect.

“On behalf of the people of NSW, I extend my deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Carla.

“Details of the State Funeral will be provided in the coming days”

Her death has triggered an outpouring of tributes for the designer, who recently notched 56 years in the business and dressed everyone from royalty to regular women, society figures and Hollywood stars and politicians of all stripes.

Zampatti’s daughter Bianca Spender said she was “heartbroken”.

“Today I lost my mother, my inspiration, my mentor and my friend,” she wrote on Instagram. “I am lost for words and totally heartbroken.”

Zampatti with daughter Bianca Spender.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Zampatti’s contribution to Australia was “timeless, just like her designs.”

“We have lost a truly great and inspirational Australian,” Mr Morrison said.

“Carla was an icon to the fashion industry, a pioneer as an entrepreneur and a champion of multicultural Australia. It was our great honour to have known her.

“She was a very kind, strong, elegant and sincere woman. She will be sadly missed by family, friends and all who she inspired alike.”

Zampatti — a passionate patron of the arts — had been attending the opening night of Opera Australia’s performance of La Traviata when she fell down some steps at Mrs Macquarie’s Point last Friday. She lost consciousness and was immediately taken to hospital

Friend and current ABC Chair Ita Buttrose was at the same event and said the stairs at the venue were “dangerous”.

Zampatti walks the catwalk following her 50th anniversary show at Sydney Opera House on in 2015. Picture: Getty

“I didn’t see her fall but it was apparent someone had fallen and was only later that I learned it was Carla Zampatti,” Ms Buttrose said.

“It is a great loss to Australian women, Australian fashion, and Australian business and the community in general because she was quite a unique woman.”

Fashion writer Patty Huntington called the incident a “tragic accident” and said Zampatti’s story as an Italian-born migrant and working woman was both trailblazing and universal.

“She was the first female chair of SBS, a role she held for 10 years, she was on the Westfield Australian multicultural foundation. Australian European business Council boards,” Huntington told the ABC on Sunday.

“She said that she wanted to be remembered in many interviews that she did as an ambassador for women in business and that is certainly the legacy she leaves behind. She was a powerhouse.”