SYDNEY: Iconic womenswear designer Carla Zampatti has been crowned the 2008 Australian Fashion Laureate. Designer Akira Isogawa, winner of the inaugural award last year, and New South Wales Premier Morris Iemma presented Zampatti with the official award - a statuette created by jewellery designer Jan Logan.
Zampatti - who was presented with the honour at a ceremony staged in Sydney's Westin Hotel today (August 11) - is executive chairman of Carla Zampatti Ltd, a retail group with over 30 boutiques and concept stores throughout Australia, chairman of the SBS Corporation and holds a directorship with the Westfield Group.
The designer has been honoured with a number of domestic and international awards for excellence, including a position as Member of the Order of Australia and an honorary title from the Italian Government.