By Melissa Singer and Andrew Hornery
They lined up early, decked out in their Carla Zampatti best. The designer, who died unexpectedly this month after a fall, wouldn’t have chosen this ending – the 78-year-old still had so much work to do. But if she had to choose an ending, it may have been close to this one.
Zampatti’s most loyal clients – the “real women” who meant so much to her and were the backbone of her success over 56 years – joined dignitaries from politics, fashion and business to honour the designer at a state funeral at St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, where she spent time in her earliest days in the Harbour City in the 1960s.
Dignitaries and VIPs including former governors-general and three former prime ministers were there in number, such was influence of the Italian-born fashion pioneer and philanthropist, but this gathering was as much for the people she dressed as those who worked alongside her on many causes over her lifetime.
Among them was Yvonne Dite, who flew up from Melbourne and was wearing the 1967 Carla Zampatti design that has been with her through many of life’s most cherished moments – including meeting her husband, Bruce, who was with her.
Ms Dite said coming to the funeral was her way of paying “a final tribute to Carla. The success of this dress ... [I wanted to say thank you] for this dress and for so many other people.”
And Carla thanked them back, the service opening with a recording of Zampatti’s own voice: taken some time back saying how she’d like to be remembered.
The order of service booklet.Credit: Wolter Peeters
“It kind of took a lot of courage, probably more courage than I’ve ever had to draw upon, and it was tough but it taught me that I was really, really strong and that I could do it,” she said in the audio.
“I think you learn more from tough times than from good times. You learn what you can do, you learn your strength, so I think if you get stuck in a corner, don’t stay there ... find a way to get out because I think it’s really, really important. Once you’re out of it, and you’re breathing again, you’ll feel much, much stronger and nothing will touch you.
Julie Bishop was among the dignitaries dressed in Zampatti’s designs.Credit: Getty
“I’d like to be remembered as someone who helped women achieve ... by giving them a product that they could wear to give them confidence.”
Among the mourners were many of Australia’s best-known women wearing Zampatti’s designs – including former foreign minister Julie Bishop, in an off-shoulder dress with ostrich feathers around the neckline – and many in her signature jumpsuits and capes, including former governor-general Dame Quentin Bryce.
Ms Bryce recalled her first Carla purchase, which was “purple with tiny red buttons”, but it was the pair’s friendship, forged over more than 40 years, that has left the greatest impact. “We would share an enduring friendship that has enriched my life in myriad ways as Carla did for so many.”
Paying tribute to their mother, Zampatti’s three children spoke of her dedication to the Carla Zampatti brand: what her offspring nicknamed “our other sibling, sometimes the favourite child”.
Her daughter, designer Bianca Spender, spoke of her mother’s first love of design. “She was alive to beauty in any form. [But] nothing made her happier than seeing her garments out in the world. If she was alive, she’d say this is the best dressed funeral she’d ever attended.”
With deep affection, they spoke of her favourite pastimes, including swimming on the weekends and having her grandchildren over for sleepovers – the last one taking place just a week before her tragic fall at the premiere of La Traviata on Sydney Harbour on March 26.
Zampatti fell down some stairs at the conclusion of the performance and sustained a head injury. She was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital in Darlinghurst, where her family maintained a week-long vigil. She never recovered.
Born in Lovero, Zampatti moved to Australia as a child, without a word of English, first settling in Western Australia before heading to Sydney in the early 1960s. In 1965, she established her eponymous brand but after separating from her first husband, Leo Schuman, she had to rely on a family loan of $5000 to restart the business while pregnant with her first child. For more than 55 years, she dedicated her career to dressing women from all walks of life, as well as occupying several high-profile positions including chair of SBS, and the boards of McDonald’s and Westpac.
Zampatti was made a Companion of the Order of Australia – the country’s highest civilian honour – in 2009, a year after she was named the Australian Fashion Laureate. Still, she often cited her proudest honour as winning the inaugural Qantas/Bulletin Businesswoman of the Year in 1980. On the award, she once told The Australian Financial Review: “I was just bubbling along day-to-day making it work as best I could. And then this men’s business magazine tells me I’m a good businesswoman – and the competition was huge. And they chose me.”
Carla Zampatti’s coffin is carried out of St. Mary’s Cathedral.Credit: Getty
In her last major interview, with this newspaper’s Sunday Life magazine in 2020, Zampatti dispensed one of her final – and most poignant – life mantras. “It’s such a short time we are on this earth and if you don’t maximise it, what are you doing?”
Zampatti is survived by her three children, Alex Schuman, Bianca Spender and Allegra Spender, and nine grandchildren.
In closing, Allegra Spender spoke directly to her mother and the “elegance of the icon she was”, pledging to carry on her legacy in business and beyond. “We will miss her warm presence, her perspective, her sense of fun, her love and care of us and the joy she took from the world. We are very proud of you Mum. We are committed to continuing your legacy of inspiring, empowering and supporting women.”
With Sarah McPhee