Zampatti Powerhouse has been unveiled, as the major exhibition featuring the life and legacy of Australian designer Carla Zampatti debuts today.
It is the first globally exclusive retrospective of Carla Zampartti AC, OMRI (1938–2021), and presents the life and work of the Italian-born designer.
The breadth of her private, professional and public life is rendered in detail, anchored by Zampatti’s signature designs and brought to life with first-person reflections by the designer's clients, family, staff and friends.
Zampatti Powerhouse encompasses 100 designs from over 50 lenders and over five decades of material, surveying a career that spans from the establishment of her business in 1965 to her most recent work.
This includes historical pieces worn by high-profile Australian women in defining life moments, such as the jacket worn by former Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s when she addressed US Congress in 2011; the white jacket worn by Christine Holgate when speaking at the Australia Post Inquiry in April 2021; and the red pantsuit worn by Linda Burney for her official parliamentary portrait in 2019.
It also includes Tina Arena’s jumpsuit, personally fitted for her ARIA Hall of Fame induction in 2015; and Allegra Spender’s blue jacket which belonged to her mother, frequently worn while campaigning for the federal seat of Wentworth.
Other highlights include the gown worn by HRH Crown Princess Mary of Denmark for her official royal portrait in 2015; personal items worn by Zampatti; a 1985 Ford Laser she co-designed; and two large bronze busts by Dame Elisabeth Frink.
Following a public call-out, the exhibition also presents around 40 loaned garments from Zampatti’s rarely-seen early design work from the 60s to the 90s, alongside the stories of the Australian women who wore them.
“It is an incredible honour for Mum’s design legacy to be showcased in a major exhibition at Powerhouse Ultimo,” Carla Zampatti CEO Alexander Schuman said. “Mum loved the magic of fashion, the big runway shows as well as hearing her customers’ personal stories and how her designs often played a small part in moments of significance in the lives of many Australian women.”
Powerhouse CEO Lisa Havilah also commended the life and work of Zampatti.
“As a trailblazing leader for women in business, Carla was passionate about creating looks which made women feel confident in the defining moments in their lives, evidenced by the overwhelming response we received to our public call-out,” Havilah said. “Zampatti Powerhouse celebrates the designer’s affinity with Australian women and her indelible legacy.”
To accompany the exhibition, Powerhouse has released a publication, Zampatti, which includes an archival collection fashion shoot starring Zampatti’s granddaughter Brigid Schuman, and portraits of luminaries such as Dame Quentin Bryce and Ita Buttrose by Hugh Stewart.
Powerhouse is also partnering with cultural institutions and foundations supported by Zampatti to present live performances, late-night programs and panel discussions celebrating her expansive legacy.
These activities include:
Italian language tours of the exhibition on December 3 and 11, 2022 in partnership with Italian language school Co.As.It.
An International Women’s Day Symposium on March 8, 2023, which includes a day of talks from key women in leadership featuring SBS director of TV Kathryn Fink and Federal MP Allegra Spender.
A Powerhouse Late x Carla Zampatti event on March 16, 2023, which includes tours and talks, guest speakers, a screening of Sydney Dance Company’s film on Zampatti called Years, and music by DJ Bocconcini.
Finally, the Sydney Dance Company and Australian Brandenburg Orchestra will perform a new work responding to Carla Zampatti’s legacy on May 4 and 5, 2023.
Zampatti Powerhouse is supported by the NSW Government through the Blockbuster Funding Initiative. Entry is free.