Entertainment
Fashion designer Carla Zampatti dies aged 78 after fall at opera as Dannii Minogue leads tributes
Fashion designer Carla Zampatti has died aged 78.
The celebrated Australian designer had been hospitalised after a fall at the opera one week ago.
Her family confirmed the sad news of her death in a statement, which read: ‘Carla has long been celebrated for making Australian women feel confident and elegant through her exceptional design, tailoring and understanding of the modern woman.’
A longer tribute was offered on her Instagram page, telling followers: ‘It’s with great sadness that we announce the death of fashion icon Carla Zampatti AC today.
‘Carla is Australia’s most successful and enduring fashion designer, launching her eponymous label in 1965.
‘Carla has long been celebrated for making Australian women feel confident and elegant through her exceptional design, tailoring and understanding of the modern woman.
‘A champion of Australian women and a multicultural success story, she continued to thrive as a businesswoman through enormous radical and social change, designing clothes for women fighting for liberation through the women’s rights movement in the 1960s to empowering women today in leadership, the workplace, in their home and at major life events.
‘The family invite you to share your memories on the Carla Zampatti condolence page through the link in bio.’
Stars rushed to offer their condolences after the news, with Dannii Minogue leading tributes.
‘I am so sad to hear this news. I was so lucky to have met Carla,’ she posted. ‘I have always been in awe of her style and the class she brought to Australian fashion. We have lost a legend of the fashion world.
‘Condolences to her family and close friends.’
Married At First Sight Australia’s Jules Robinson posted: ‘This is so sad. RIP amazing woman.’
Carla was rushed to hospital last week after suffering a bad fall on the steps at Mrs Macquarie’s Point while attending the premiere of La Traviata.
She hit her head during the fall and was knocked unconscious, with paramedics taking her to St Vincent’s hospital for treatment.
Her cause of death has not been announced.
Carla unveiled her first collection in 1965, establishing her Carla Zampatti brand five years later.
The fashion maven set up boutiques across Australia, and dressed a number of Aus icons throughout her career, including Dannii, Neighbours star Delta Goodrem and Nicole Kidman.
She was married to first husband Leo Schuman for six years, before their divorce in 1970 – with the pair sharing child Alex together.
Following their split, she later tied the knot with politician John Spender in 1975, and they welcomed children Allegra and Bianca.
They called time on their marriage in 2008, finalising their divorce two years later.
Carla is survived by children Alex, Allegra and Bianca, and nine grandchildren.
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