Sydney Fashion Week ends with the unmistakable style of Carla Zampatti

Closing the six-day spectacular at Carriageworks Sydney, Zampatti fused music and design to stage a show that included a performance by the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra.

As the orchestra played at centre stage, an army of young women emblazoned in striking shades of yellow, midnight blue and pastel florals strode along the runway to an enthralled audience.

The collection included double breasted blazer dresses, monochromatic suits and asymmetrical necklines in an “evening wear” inspired series which strove to break convention.

With a mix of full-length and mini, Zampatti invoked a younger generation to embrace confidence while experimenting with silken evening wear.

Zampatti’s show finale ended Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week on a veritable high, as she joined her band of models on stage for the orchestra’s final notes.

It was a welcome ending to a somewhat controversial week, which included a show imposter pretending to be US-based W Magazine editor Lauren McCarthy, and a distasteful display in the Justin Cassin show at Luna Park on Wednesday, which included “sexy dancing” and musical acts deemed to be in poor taste.

The 2008 recipient of the Australian Fashion Laureate, Zampatti commenced 2019 with a bang after starring as the Grand Showcase designer at the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival in March and now closing Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

Zampatti turned 77 on Sunday.

Born in the village of Lovero in Lombardy, about 120 kilometres northeast of Milan, Zampatti settled with her family in Australia in 1950 and in 1965 produced her first small collection for Zampatti Pty Ltd.

She opened her first boutique in 1972 in Surry Hills, followed by stores in Mosman, Double Bay and Elizabeth Street Sydney.

The company grew to a chain of 30 Zampatti boutique and concept stores across Australia plus collections held in David Jones and Myer stores.

Zampatti’s pieces are known to be worn by such icons as Italo-Australian singer Tina Arena, the Princess Mary of Denmark, singer Delta Goodrem and new ABC chairwoman Ita Buttrose.