The sudden death of iconic fashion designer Carla Zampatti has sent shockwaves around Australia, with A-list actors, musicians, models and politicians paying tribute to the ‘true trailblazer’.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, supermodel Megan Gale, singer Dannii Minogue and actress Rebecca Gibney were among the many grieving celebrities who expressed their devastation at the news of the fashionista’s death on Saturday.
Carla tragically died a week after falling down stairs while attending the opening night of the La Traviata opera on Sydney Harbour.
She was knocked unconscious after falling on the bottom steps of the staircase and was then rushed to hospital, but couldn’t be saved.
Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman and Princess Mary of Denmark are among some of the transcendent women that have adorned Carla’s designs over her distinguished and legendary career.
‘Jen and I are terribly saddened by the passing of Carla Zampatti. We have lost a truly great and inspirational Australian,’ the PM posted to his social media channels on Saturday.
‘Carla was an icon to the fashion industry, a pioneer as an entrepreneur and a champion of multicultural Australia. It was our great honour to have known her.
‘She was a very kind, strong, elegant and sincere woman. She will be sadly missed by family, friends and all who she inspired alike.
‘Her contribution to our nation will be timeless, just like her designs. We extend our deepest sympathies to her family.’
Tragedy: Australian fashion designer Carla Zampatti died on Saturday, one week after being knocked unconscious after falling down the stairs at the opera
Late Australian fashion designer Carla Zampatti’s daughter Bianca shared a gutwrenching tribute after her mother’s death on Saturday
Prime Minister Scott Morrison was among many expressing their grief over Carla’s tragic death
Carla’s daughter Bianca was one of the first to share her gutwrenching tribute after her mother’s death on Saturday.
‘Today I lost my mother, my inspiration, my mentor and my friend,’ fashion designer Bianca wrote alongside two family photos on Instagram.
‘I am lost for words and totally heartbroken.’
Kath and Kim star Magda Szubanksi said she was ‘very sad’ to hear of Carla’s death after it was confirmed via a statement from the family.
‘Such a lovely woman who dressed me on a few occasions with great elegance and empathy. Her tailoring was impeccable and her style divine.’
Presenter David Campbell called her a ‘true pioneer’ and ‘an icon’ while model Jessica Gomes labelled Carla the ‘Queen’.
‘Classy, sophisticated, smart and an incredible mother and business woman,’ supermodel Megan Gale wrote on social media on Saturday evening.
‘A trailblazer for the Australian fashion industry and an absolute icon. You will be missed but not forgotten.’
‘Classy, sophisticated, smart and an incredible mother and business woman,’ supermodel Megan Gale wrote on social media on Saturday evening
The supermodel shared her despair on Instagram on Saturday
Model Jessica Gomes called Carla Zampatti the ‘Queen’
Dannii Minogue said she was ‘lucky’ to have met the Australian fashion legend and expressed how sad she was at the news of her tragic death
Dannii Minogue said she was ‘lucky’ to have met the Australian fashion legend and expressed how sad she was at the news of her tragic death.
‘I have always been in awe of her style and the class she brought to Australian fashion,’ she said.
‘We have lost a legend to the fashion world.’
Former Prime Ministers Malcolm Turnbull and Tony Abbott, presenter Sonia Kruger and actress Rebecca Gibney also expressed their sadness upon hearing the news.
Farewell: Carla, who was 78, passed away after falling down the stairs while attending the opening night of the La Traviata opera on Sydney Harbour last week (pictured)
Heartbreaking: The designer went into a coma after the fall and never woke up
According to the Daily Telegraph, she went into a coma after the fall and never woke up.
Carla’s death was confirmed via an statement earlier on Saturday.
‘It’s with great sadness that we announce the death of fashion icon Carla Zampatti AC today,’ they wrote.
‘Carla is Australia’s most successful and enduring fashion designer, launching her eponymous label in 1965,’ it continued.
‘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.’
They finished: ‘The family invite you to share your memories on the Carla Zampatti condolence page through the link in bio.’
Statement: Carla’s death was confirmed via a statement on her official Instagram account on Saturday
Tributes from high profile celebrities and politicians have been pouring in since the sad news was announced on Saturday.
‘Very sad to learn of our dear friend Carla Zampatti’s passing,’ wrote former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
‘One of our greatest Australians – brilliant, innovative, elegant, creative. Embodying the success of our remarkable multicultural nation. Our sympathy and love are with her family.’
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian tweeted: ‘The world will never be the same without Carla Zampatti. Talented, generous and inspiring. A true trailblazer in every respect. Rest In Peace.’
Gladys is expected to announce a state funeral for Carla at some stage.
‘Very sad to learn of our dear friend Carla Zampatti’s passing,’ wrote former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian tweeted: ‘The world will never be the same without Carla Zampatti. Talented, generous and inspiring. A true trailblazer in every respect. Rest In Peace’
Actress and comedian Magda Szubanski wrote: ‘So very sad to hear of the death of Carla Zampatti’
Today Extra host David Campbell also shared his condolences, tweeting: ‘I am just hearing Carla Zampatti has died from her fall. This is so tragic.’
‘Absolutely devastated’: Sam Armytage also shared a tribute to the late designer
Her family addressed the designer’s fall earlier this week, stating that Carla was in hospital for ‘observation’ following the accident.
A family spokesperson for Ms Zampatti told Daily Mail Australia on Monday: ‘Carla Zampatti had a fall at the Opera on Sydney Harbour on Friday night and is currently in hospital for observation.
‘Carla is very grateful for the support from medically trained members of the audience who assisted and for the excellent care from the team at St Vincent’s Hospital.’
Opera Australia chief executive Rory Jeffes told The Sydney Morning Herald that staff looked after Ms Zampatti until an ambulance arrived on the scene.
‘My understanding is that they just cared for her, she appeared to be in and out of consciousness and therefore they just made sure she was comfortable until the ambulance arrived,’ he said.
‘Carla is Australia’s most successful and enduring fashion designer, launching her eponymous label in 1965,’ read a statement following her death
Carla Zampatti’s name is synonymous with Australian fashion.
The high-end designer was born in Italy and immigrated to Western Australia in 1950 when she was about eight years old.
She previously said her desire to show her adopted country her talents was the driving force behind her successful career.
‘Economically, socially, lifestyle – migration has been a huge benefit for this country,’ she said.
Strike a pose! Carla and one of her models pose together during a fashion show in 2008
‘This country today is an economic force and I do believe it’s primarily because of the wonderful contributions that hardworking ambitious [immigrants bring].’
She said when a person arrives in a new country, there is often a desire to show their value to the country.
‘It’s interesting coming to a new country, you’re an outsider, and you want to prove to the country that has adopted you how good you are – that was my driving force and I do believe everyone who arrives in this country has an ambition on how they could add value to the country.’
Icon: The high-end designer was born in Italy and immigrated to Western Australia in 1950 when she was about eight years old