Carla Zampatti

Iconic Australian fashion designer Carla Zampatti was honored with a state funeral at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney. Zampatti, 78, died in a Sydney hospital on April 3 after a serious fall at the premiere of “La traviata” at Mrs Macquaries Point on Sydney Harbour on March 26. She was taken to St. Vincent’s Hospital and died eight days later without regaining consciousness. Former Australian prime ministers John Howard, Tony Abbott, and Malcolm Turnbull attended the funeral along with their wives, while Scott Morrison was represented by his wife Jenny. Television presenters Natalie Barr, Samantha Armytage, Melissa Doyle, Sonia Kruger, and broadcaster Alan Jones were also among the celebrities at the service. Figures from the world of fashion including designers Camilla Franks and Collette Dinnigan also attended. Zampatti’s children, Alexander Schuman, Bianca Spender, and Allegra Spender stood arm-in-arm and spoke of their determined and affectionate mother. “She loved a hug, called everyone darling and would always hold your hand when speaking to her,” Bianca said.

She added that Zampatti’s grandchildren described her as “warm, loving, passionate, independent, disciplined, courageous, and a true individual.”

“She was much loved and will be deeply missed,” Allegra said. “We will miss her warm presence, her perspective, her sense of fun, her love and care of us and the joy she took from the world.” Zampatti was born in Italy and settled in Western Australia in 1950 before moving to Sydney in her twenties, where she produced her first small fashion collection in 1965 and released her first national collection in 1970. Her business acumen, leadership skills, commitment to women, and multiculturalism were well respected, gaining her a number of awards.

She was appointed a Member of the

Order of Australia in 1987 for her services to the fashion industry. In 2009, she was elevated as a Companion of the Order in the Queen’s Birthday Honors List.