With a career spanning over five decades, Carla Zampatti is a fashion icon. Born in Italy, when Carla first arrived in Australia at the age of 6 she noticed a gap in the market and had a passion for designing which she wanted to share. Carla’s design ethos is elevated simplicity, characterized by bold, clean lines with an Italian sensibility. Her collections are timeless and on trend. Carla Zampatti is committed to sustainable business practices and supporting local manufactures in Australia, in conjunction with Ethical Clothing Australia.
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Carla Zampatti, originally from Italy, started with her first small collection in 1965.
The first Carla Zampatti boutique opened in Surry Hills on the corner of Riley and Sophia Street.
Carla Zampatti has always been a leader in cutting edge design. In 1973 she was one of the first Australian designers to introduce swimwear into their collection, with the canary yellow toweling t-bar maillot appearing on the cover of Pol, renowned fashion magazine of the times.
Polaroid sunglasses, famous for the quality of their lenses, were looking to add a new sense of style. Carla Zampatti was commissioned to give Polaroid this new appeal, with the creation of their first exclusive designer eyewear collection.
Carla Zampatti received the honour of being made the first Qantas/Bulletin Business Woman of the year. In the same year she was also awarded the Fashion Industries of Australia’s Lyrebird Award for lifestyle design.
Carla Zampatti is asked to become the first fashion designers in the world to design a car. In a unique partnership with Ford Australia, the limited edition Ford Laser, designed specifically for the female market. This is followed two years later with a second collection of Ford Lasers and Meteors.
20 years after the story began Carla Zampatti has 20 stores and sells to 150 of the top boutiques and department stores in Australia. Designing eight collections a year consisting of 500 pieces ranging from swimming costumes to evening wear.
Carla Zampatti was named Fashion designer of the year.
In 2005, Zampatti was named an Australia Post Australian Legend and featured on a postage stamp. Two years later Australia Post released their new corporate uniform, which was designed by Zampatti.
Zampatti received the Australian Fashion Industry’s highest award in 2008, which recognised her outstanding achievements.
Already a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), Carla was appointed Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) as part of the Queen's Birthday Honours in June 2009. This honour recognises Carla's contributions to fashion and business as well as being a role model for women.
The Carla Zampatti Brand celebrates a milestone, 50 years in fashion.
Discover Carla's World
"What a woman wears should express her individuality and her own style. She needs to feel comfortable, confident and feel that what she is wearing represents who she is at her very best."
From 1965 to now, Carla Zampatti has embodied the evolving spirit of the modern woman in her unmistakably bold, simple and sophisticated designs. From pants suits to jump suits, tailored jackets tempered by soft fluid fabrics, gowns imbued with the drama of cut-outs and sweeping skirts, Carla has inspired Australian women to be beautiful and purposeful through her abiding insight into their times.
