CARLA ZAMPATTI

The Italian-born designer shares her journey from growing up in Western Australia to becoming a prominent fashion icon

Five-year-old Carla Zampatti knew exactly what she was destined to do when her mother took her to the dressmakers’ studio of her hometown in Lombardy, northern Italy. Four years later, Zampatti’s family moved from the Italian countryside to sunburnt Western Australia, where she learned a new language and never gave up on her dream. She began her career working for a conservative fashion house, creating designs that spoke to women, met their changing needs and became bestsellers. After designing her own small collection in 1965, she saw her first national launch in 1967. Three years on, Carla Zampatti Ltd. was born.

Today, the fashion house is one of Australia’s most influential, having celebrated 50 years of fashion in 2015. Designing in the 1970s, an era

that heralded a new frontier in female empowerment, Zampatti led the way with luxe tailoring that reflected a woman’s independence. In the 1980s, she proved her acumen not only as a designer, but also a businesswoman, by partnering with Ford Australia as the first fashion brand to design a car specifically for the female market.

Today the multi-award-winning designer label is donned by the likes of Nigella Lawson, Tina Arena, Delta Goodrem, Jessica Gomes and Nadia Fairfax.

The Spring/Summer 2018 collection pays homage to the elegance of the Zampatti woman, breaking up its

signature monochromatic palette with pastels. Smart separates dominate, and bold lines are softened by cascading ruffles, while textured materials add depth to classic cuts. The latest collection is all about effortless style with maximum impact, showcasing timeless pieces to suit sophisticated women of all ages. In typical Zampatti fashion, she has once again stuck to her style instincts to create classic favourites that bypass the fast-moving fashion cycle. These are exactly the kind of items that style mavens will covet for years to come. carlazampatti.com.au