Legendary Australian fashion designer Carla Zampatti dies at 78

Legendary Australian fashion designer Carla Zampatti died at the age of 78, after a week of hospitalization following a fall at the opera last weekend.

Zampatti was placed “under observation” at Sydney’s St Vincent Hospital after falling down the stairs at the La Traviata opening at Mrs Macquarie’s Point last Friday night.

It is understood that he was in a coma and never woke up, reports The Daily Telegraph.

She was unconscious from the fall and was assisted by a first aid professional, before ambulance officers treated her on the spot and took her to hospital.

“Carla is very grateful for the support of the medically trained audience members who attended and for the excellent care from the team at St Vincent Hospital,” a family spokesperson said earlier this week.

The Italian-born industry pioneer who settled in Australia with her family in 1950 had a career spanning nearly six decades, with renowned celebrities at home and abroad, dedicated fans of her eponymous brand.

“Carla Zampatti is Australia’s longest-running and most successful fashion designer, launching her eponymous label in 1965,” read a statement, released after her death this morning.

“CEO of Carla Zampatti Pty Ltd, Carla has long been recognized for making Australian women feel confident and elegant through her exceptional design, adaptation and understanding of the modern world.

“Born in Italy, Carla settled with her family in Western Australia in 1950. After moving to Sydney when she was 20 years old, she produced her first small fashion collection in 1965. Two years later she launched her collection nationally and in 1970 established Carla Zampatti Pty Ltd.

“An advocate for Australian women and a multicultural success story, she continued to thrive as an entrepreneur through enormous social and radical change, designing clothing for women fighting for liberation through the women’s rights movement in the decade 1960 to empower today’s women in leadership, the workplace, at home, and at major life events.

“She continued to expand her retail network to create a chain of boutiques in Australia and New Zealand and her clothing is truly considered a distinctive part of the modern Australian lifestyle. Her designs have been worn by Australia’s most influential women, from First Ministers and Prime Minister to business leaders, dignitaries, award-winning journalists, royalty and celebrities, including Princess Mary of Denmark, Dame Quentin Bryce, Julia Gillard, Gladys Berejiklian, Julie Bishop, Nicole Kidman and Cate Blanchett.

“Carla Zampatti is the mother of three children, Alexander Schuman, Bianca Spender and Allegra Spender, from her marriages to Leo Schuman and former Australian lawyer, politician and diplomat John Spender. She is also the proud Nonna of nine grandchildren.

“His family is very grateful for the support and excellent care of the St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney team.

“A condolences page has been established at Carla Zampatti AC | Farewell Memorial. Family requests privacy at this time.”