This year’s Opening Gala, held on August 30, will showcase some of the most prominent local and international designers, including our very own fashion icon, Carla Zampatti.
Carla launched her self-titled label nationally in 1967, and has since built a chain of 26 boutiques and concept stores across Australia.
For over five decades, Carla has dressed international celebrities and royalty alike, including fellow Aussie treasure, Princess Mary of Denmark.
In 2005, Carla was named an Australia Post Australian Legend, and parcels across the nation were adorned with postage stamps featuring the celebrated designer.
Australia Post then went on to don a corporate uniform designed by – you guessed it - the one and only Carla Zampatti.
In 2008, Carla deservedly received the Australian Fashion Laureate, and a year later her contributions to fashion and business were recognised, as she was appointed Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) during The Queen’s Birthday Honours.
If we were to list all of Carla’s achievements over the years, we’d be here for days.
Instead, let’s take a walk through time and discover the tale of a fashion legend.
Born in Lovero (Lombardy), Carla realised her passion for design as a young girl, becoming “captivated” by glamorous fashion magazines.
Destined to meet her father for the first time, a nine-year-old Carla moved to Australia in 1950.
Naturally, the language barrier and culture shock were more than a little disorienting.
“It was an exciting though also frightening experience. We left Italy in the dead of a cold, snowy winter and arrived in Perth in scorching heat; it was shock to the system,” Carla said.
Fast forward a few years and, well-adapted to her new environment, Carla was unknowingly about to kick off an international career.
The aspiring designer moved to Sydney and began working for a fashion house, introducing fresh styles to the Australian market with great success.
It wasn’t long before Carla realised her vision to take control and establish her very own business.
And as they say, the rest is history.
As her career was taking off, Carla managed to raise her three children - Alex, Allegra and Bianca - maintaining a healthy balance between motherhood and the fast-paced lifestyle of a budding businesswoman during an era when it was more of the exception than the norm.
“This was and always will be a juggling act for any working mother - though for me, I dedicated my weekdays to work and my weekends to my children,” Carla said.
“It must have worked, as I now have two daughters working in the fashion industry.”
So how did this busy mum manage to develop an internationally recognised label from nothing but a great sense of style and one big dream?
Carla pins the success of her business to three factors: instinct, quality and consistency.
Every business is susceptible to certain challenges along the way, but Carla points out that the key to overcoming obstacles is all in the willingness to make it work.
“The building blocks of my business have always been determination and being focused, along with taking advice and listening to that advice,” she said.
Throughout her 51 years in the fashion industry, Carla has not only seen many trends come and go, but has also dictated the styles of each season.
“Every decade has brought great memories, though the ‘70s were exciting as I saw many changes with women making an impact in the workforce, who created a demand for what they wanted to wear,” Carla recalled.
Though Carla Zampatti has become an Australian icon, the fashion powerhouse still holds her mother country close to her heart, travelling to Italy regularly and embracing all that the Belpaese represents.
“It is my heritage, it influences the way I live, the way I dress and the way I design.”
It seems that these warm feelings are mutual, and in 2004 Carla was acknowledged by the Italian government, being appointed Commander in the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.
“It is humbling to be acknowledged by your birth country; I am so fortunate to have been born Italian and welcomed by Australia,” Carla said.
A proud Italo-Australian, Carla has spent decades pioneering for multiculturalism in our nation.
The powerful rolemodel is currently a board member for the Australian Multicultural Foundation, an organisation aimed at promoting cultural diversity within our borders, and previously spent a decade as chairman of the SBS Corporation.
“SBS radio has given great comfort to people listening to news in their own language, and it has enabled the Australian-born public to better understand and appreciate the qualities of the newcomers and their wonderful contributions,” Carla said.
It’s astounding to think that even after half a century in the fashion industry and her countless contributions to society, that this eminent designer, mother and role model is still turning out ever-increasingly stunning garments to this day.
And this season is no exception.
If you’re lucky enough to attend the Opening Gala of Melbourne Spring Fashion Week, here’s what you can expect to see from Carla’s collection.
“I always start my collection with black and cream and then build from this,” Carla said.
And build she does, to great heights.
Think mesmerising designs, bold cobalt blue and metallic silver hues, gold embroidered lace and brocades, perfect for the racing season ahead.
And as for Carla’s top fashion tip for this spring?
“Add a jumpsuit to your wardrobe; they are the perfect addition to cover from work to lunch to a dinner…and of course the races!”
