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Carla Zampatti has died.
The beloved Australia fashion designer had a long and legendary career and spent decades as a household name among anyone who loved a frock.
Zampatti, 78, died a week after she fell at the opening of La Traviata restaurant at Mrs Macquarie’s Point. The designer was under observation in a coma at St Vincent’s Hospital, and according to The Daily Telegraph, she did not wake up.
Zampatti’s daughter, Sydney-based designer Bianca Spender, shared an emotional tribute to her late mother on Instagram this morning.
“Today I lost my mother, my inspiration, my mentor and my friend. I am lost for words and totally heartbroken,” Spender wrote, with a broken heart emoji.
RELATED: Legendary Australian fashion designer, Carla Zampatti dead, aged 78
Local stars, designers and politicians were quick to respond to the news of Zampatti’s death, calling her an “Australian icon” and her passing “so tragic”.
The Prime Minister Scott Morrison released a statement this afternoon and said he and his wife Jen were “terribly saddened” by the news of Zampatti’s death.
“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.
“Her contribution to our nation will be timeless, just like her designs. We extend our deepest sympathies to her family.”
The former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull also shared his condolences, writing, “Very sad to learn of our dear friend Carla Zampatti’s passing.
“One of our greatest Australians – brilliant, innovative, elegant, creative. Embodying the success of our remarkable multicultural nation. Our sympathy and love are with her family.”
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian called her a “true trailblazer in every respect” in a tweet shared soon after the news broke.
“An absolute tragedy,” Tanya Plibersek, Labor’s Shadow Education Minister and Shadow Women’s Minister wrote on Twitter. “Sending my love to Carla Zampatti’s beautiful family and many friends.”
Magda Szubanski said she’d worked with Zampatti and described her as having “great elegance and empathy”.
David Campbell, Channel 9 presenter, called Zampatti a “class act” and a “pioneer”.
“I am just hearing Carla Zampatti has died from her fall. This is so tragic. She was a true pioneer in fashion in Australia. A class act. She was an icon who lived with grace. So very sad for her family,” Campbell wrote on Twitter.
Fellow Channel 9 presenter Natalia Cooper also responded to the sad news.
Journalist, comedian and presenter Julie McCrossin also responded to the news of Zampatti’s death, writing: “Very sad to hear this. A great Australian business woman & designer. Condolences to her family & friends.”
Tony Pignata, the Chief of Perth Glory football team said he’d met Zampatti, and sent his condolences to her family.
“Very sad news about the passing of Carla Zampatti. A true Australian fashion icon. Had the pleasure of meeting Carla a few years ago. Condolences to her family. #RIP”.
Lauren Saylor, the breakfast producer of SmoothFM 915 called Zampatti and “absolute icon of Australian fashion”.
“Her designs were always striking and made for elegance.”
“Sending love to her family though this tough time.”
Carla Zampatti’s incredible career
Zampatti had a rich and trailblazing career that included early financial battles, after Australian banks in the 1960s refused to offer her a loan.
In 2015, Zampatti told Ita Buttrose on Studio 10 about her difficult divorce from accountant Leo Schuman, after a marriage marred by numerous infidelities.
She said Schuman “made little attempt to hide his roving eye”. In her book, My Life, My Look, the designer also alleged her former husband had been aggressive, and she feared domestic violence would occur.
“The most difficult part is that he was in my business so we had to overcome that,” Zampatti said. “But the best way is just simply to walk away and restart it and life has been a dream since then.”
In 1965, before the launch of her business, not a single bank would offer her a loan, and Zampatti was left with no option but to borrow $5000 her cousin Mick Caratti.
Caratti made Zampatti agree to one condition — that she never enter into a business partnership.
She opened her first boutique in Surry Hills in Sydney in 1973, and was named the first Qantas/Bulletin magazine Business Woman of the Year in the 1980s.
During the 1990s she was awarded the Fashion Designer of the Year award by the Australian Fashion Industry.
In 2009 she was awarded a companion of the Order of Australia.
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