Carla Zampatti
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Fashion |
| Founded | 1970 |
| Founder | Carla Zampatti |
| Headquarters | Australia |
| Products | Fashion design, swimwear, eyewear, fragrances |
Carla Maria Zampatti (19 May 1942 – 3 April 2021) was an Italian-born Australian fashion designer and entrepreneur, serving as the executive chairperson of Carla Zampatti Limited.
Background
Zampatti was born in 1942 in Lovero, Italy, and relocated with her family to Fremantle, Western Australia in 1950. Subsequently, the family settled in Bullfinch, where she attended school for several years.
Career
Zampatti introduced her initial collection under Zampatti Pty Limited in 1965, followed by a nationwide launch two years later, culminating in the founding of Carla Zampatti Limited in 1970. Her early creations quickly attracted acclaim; notably, a dress designed in 1967 continued to be worn by its original owner as of 2021, underscoring the brand’s enduring quality and commitment to sustainability.
In 1972, she inaugurated her first boutique in Surry Hills, Sydney, and over the next three years expanded to additional locations including Mosman, Double Bay, and Elizabeth Street, Sydney. This expansion eventually resulted in a network of 30 boutiques and concept stores throughout Australia. The brand entered major department stores David Jones and Myer in 1990 and 1992 respectively, with an exclusivity agreement signed with David Jones in 2009. Her designs have been embraced by notable personalities such as Australian singer Tina Arena, Queen Mary of Denmark, Dannii Minogue, and Delta Goodrem.
Zampatti diversified her collections by introducing swimwear in 1973 and later ventured into designer eyewear through a collaboration with Polaroid. She also launched two successful fragrances: 'Carla' in 1983 and 'Bellezza' in 1987. Partnering with Ford Australia, she contributed to the redesign of vehicles aimed at female buyers, including the Ford Laser (1985) and subsequent Laser and Meteor models.
Her daughter, Bianca Spender, inspired by her upbringing within her mother's studio environment, debuted a capsule collection with Carla Zampatti Limited in 2004 before establishing her own label in 2017.
Zampatti held numerous leadership roles across various organizations: chairing SBS Corporation; serving as director at Westfield Group; acting as trustee for the Art Gallery of New South Wales; and holding board positions with the Australian Multicultural Foundation, European Australian Business Council, Sydney Dance Company, MCA Foundation, and UTS Vice-Chancellor's Industry Advisory Board. From 1988 until her death, she served as a judge for the Ethnic Business Awards, which celebrate the achievements of migrant and Indigenous entrepreneurs.
Her autobiography, My Life, My Look, was published by HarperCollins in 2015.
Honours
In recognition of her impact as a fashion designer and manufacturer, Zampatti was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) during the 1987 Australia Day honours. She was further elevated to Companion of the Order in the Queen’s Birthday Honours of 2009. The Centenary Medal for business leadership was awarded to her in 2001. Additionally, she earned accolades such as Bulletin/Qantas Businesswoman of the Year and Australia's Designer of the Year in 1994.
Australia Post commemorated her contributions by issuing a postage stamp featuring her alongside fellow distinguished Australian designers like Prue Acton and Collette Dinnigan in 2005. Subsequently, she designed corporate attire for Australia Post, which was launched in 2007.
The Italian Government recognized her achievements by appointing her a Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2004.
In 2008, she received the Australian Fashion Laureate Award—an esteemed industry accolade supported by the NSW Government and IMG Fashion—to honor exceptional accomplishments.
Honorary doctorates were conferred upon Zampatti by the University of Western Sydney (1999) and the University of Wollongong (2018).
Personal life
Zampatti was married twice during her lifetime. Her first marriage, to Leo Schuman in 1964, ended in divorce by 1970. She later wed politician John Spender in 1975; the couple separated in 2008 and finalized their divorce in 2010.
She was a mother to three children who have been actively engaged in both the family business and public roles: Alex Schuman, serving as CEO of Carla Zampatti Pty Ltd; Allegra Spender, who held the position of CEO at Carla Zampatti Pty Ltd from 2008 to 2016 and is currently a Member of the Australian House of Representatives representing Wentworth; and Bianca Spender, a professional designer.
Death
On 26 March 2021, Zampatti sustained injuries following a fall during the opening night of La traviata at Sydney Harbour. She passed away from these injuries on 3 April at the age of 78. The New South Wales government extended an offer for a state funeral, which her family accepted. The ceremony took place on 15 April 2021 at St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney. Numerous attendees honored her legacy by wearing her creations, with her daughter remarking it was “the best-dressed funeral she had ever attended.”