In 1965, Carla Zampatti, AC OMRI (1938–2021), established the Sydney fashion house and brand that is still loved by generations of women. This publication accompanies the first retrospective exhibition of the renowned Australian designer, business leader, mentor and philanthropist. The Zampatti Powerhouse exhibition will open at Powerhouse Ultimo on 24 November 2022.

Zampatti explores every aspect of Zampatti’s life and work through memories and insights from her family, friends, colleagues and customers. We meet the patternmakers who worked with Zampatti to refine cut and fit, the customers who kept her clothes for decades, the young designers she mentored, and the celebrities, businesswomen and politicians who wore Zampatti’s clothes as a kind of armour that bestowed confidence and sophistication.

The book also features an archival collection fashion shoot starring Zampatti’s granddaughter Brigid Schuman, and portraits of luminaries such as Dame Quentin Bryce, Ita Buttrose and Linda Burney by Hugh Stewart.

Printed with several luxurious paper stocks and including a butterfly gatefold, Zampatti is covered in black linen with red foil type over a debossed inset photograph.

Contributors

Tony Davis
Susan Horsburgh
Roger Leong
Lauren Sams
Horacio Silva
Virginia Trioli
Lee Tulloch
Stephanie Wood

Principal photography

Daphne Nguyen
Hugh Stewart
Zan Wimberley