Carla Zampatti died on Saturday at age 78 – a week after falling down stairs at the opera in Sydney.
And stars including Samantha Armytage, Julie Bishop and Rebecca Gibney have remembered the designer as they knew her best – through her stunning gowns.
Samantha Armytage, 44, shared a number of photos to Instagram showing her in Zampatti’s designs, including a red number she wore to the 2019 Logies.
Tribute: Samantha Armytage (pictured) has remembered Carla Zampatti who died on Saturday, sharing photos to Instagram of herself in the designer’s dresses – including this red number she wore to the 2019 Logies, and calling her a ‘creative genius’
She also posted an image of herself wearing another stunning white dress created by Zampatti as she posed alongside husband Richard Lavender.
The former TV host had worn a gorgeous Carla Zampatti wedding gown the day she walked down the aisle.
The former Sunrise host and equestrian businessman Richard, 61, tied the knot at his 40-hectare property in the picturesque Southern Highlands in NSW on New Year’s Eve, with Sam wearing a dress custom made by Zampatti for the occasion.
The dress appeared to be based on Carla’s The White Elegance Dress, which retails on the designer’s website for $629.00.
Moving: The former Sunrise host and equestrian businessman Richard (left) tied the knot at his 40-hectare property in the picturesque Southern Highlands in NSW on New Year’s Eve, with Sam wearing a dress custom made by Zampatti for the occasion
All white: She also posted an image of herself wearing another stunning white dress created by Zampatti as she posed alongside her husband
Sam wrote in her caption: ‘Absolutely devastated at the loss of my beautiful friend Carla Zampatti this morning.
‘She was a creative genius, a wonderful generous elegant woman and very much a part of many of my favourite memories.
‘She will be dearly missed, but never forgotten. And will live on forever in my heart, and my wardrobe. Vale Carla’.
Dresses: Former politician Julie Bishop, 64, likewise shared some of her favourite creations by the designer, including a sparkling silver dress. Julie and Carla are pictured
Pals: She posed opposite Zampatti in a number of images shared to Instagram on Saturday, one also showing her in a slinky black gown
Former politician Julie Bishop, 64, likewise shared some of her favourite creations by the designer, including a sparkling silver dress.
She posed opposite Zampatti in a number of images shared to Instagram on Saturday, one also showing her in a slinky black gown.
Julie wrote: ‘Carla Zampatti was a truly great Australian who inspired generations of women with her style, grace and determination.
Favourite: A tribute from actress Rebecca Gibney (pictured) included her posing in a dramatic draped dress designed by Zampatti
‘She was in a class of her own – #sprezzatura personified. It was a privilege to call her a friend. Vale Carla’.
A tribute from actress Rebecca Gibney, 56, included her posing in a dramatic draped dress designed by Zampatti.
‘So shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of the extraordinary @carlazampatti,’ she wrote.
Tragic: Carla tragically died a week after falling down stairs while attending the opening night of the La Traviata opera on Sydney Harbour
‘I have worn Carla’s designs in so many fashion shoots, to a multitude of awards nights – including the International Emmys – and most recently on the series Under The Vines currently shooting in New Zealand.
‘The third photo was used only a few weeks ago to publicise the show and the character of Daisy Munro wearing a white Carla Zampatti suit and hat inspired by Carla.
‘Sending so much love to Carla’s family and friends at this very sad time. Rest In Peace.’
Late Australian fashion designer Carla Zampatti’s daughter Bianca (right) shared a gutwrenching tribute after her mother’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.
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.’
Powerful: ‘Today I lost my mother, my inspiration, my mentor and my friend,’ fashion designer Bianca wrote on Instagram. ‘I am lost for words and totally heartbroken’
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.
Outpouring: ‘Carla is Australia’s most successful and enduring fashion designer, launching her eponymous label in 1965,’ read a statement following her death
‘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 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.
Star: Carla Zampatti’s name is synonymous with Australian fashion
