Australian fashion designer Carla Zampatti died on Saturday.
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.
She was reportedly knocked unconscious after falling on the bottom steps of the staircase and was then rushed to hospital immediately.
Tragedy: Australian fashion designer Carla Zampatti died on Saturday, one week after being knocked unconscious after falling down the stairs at the opera
According to the Daily Telegraph, she went into a coma after the fall and never woke up.
Carla’s death was confirmed via a statement on her official Instagram account on Saturday.
‘It’s with great sadness that we announce the death of fashion icon Carla Zampatti AC today,’ they wrote.
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)
‘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.’
Heartbreaking: The designer went into a coma after the fall and never woke up
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.
Actress and comedian Magda Szubanski wrote: ‘So very sad to hear of the death of Carla Zampatti. Such a lovely woman who dressed me on a few occasions with great elegance and empathy. Her tailoring was impeccable and her style divine. My deepest condolences to her family.’
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. She was a true pioneer in fashion in Australia. A class act. She was an icon who lived with grace. So very sad for her family.’
‘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
This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk
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