The steps in front of the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia—with their iconic views of the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbor Bridge—were the perfect setting for Carla Zampatti’s latest show. The brand’s 60th anniversary festivities kicked off this year’s edition of Australian Fashion Week, which is now back under the management of the country’s own industry body.
“I went through a lot of Carla’s archives, but it’s also a celebration of the future,” said Tanya Eamon Beattie, the label’s newly-minted design director. The collection bore Carla Zampatti’s trademark glamour and hyper-feminine silhouettes, but a deeper look revealed a new edge and freshness. Feathers gave a playful touch to the hems of flirty a-line halter tops and dresses, as well as all-over embellished dresses. Other pieces had a more sporty feel, like a black slip gown with a dash of egg yolk yellow wrapping around the body, and a goldenrod linen mini shift dress with an unexpected sheer back panel that revealed just enough skin.
Modern pops of color came through in a series of shiny satin scarlet red and seafoam green looks, most notably on the duo of draped blouses and long skirts that seemed made for Diana, the ancient Roman goddess of the moon and the hunt. Zampatti’s use of models with diverse body types certainly added to the powerful energy that emanated from the runway.
After the final look, a second mini-show of sorts began. “We wanted to celebrate our anniversary but we also wanted to celebrate the industry as a whole—showcasing not only our brand, but the industry, the city, and the country,” explained Alex Schuman, Zampatti’s son and now the brand’s CEO. “Fashion is all about personal identity but also national identity.”
Schuman and Eamon Beattie achieved this by inviting 14 of the country’s best known designers and labels—Christopher Esber, Alix Higgins, Bianca Spender, Mariam Seddiq, Jordan Gogos, Grace Lillian Lee, Kit Willow, Akira Isogawa, Romance Was Born, Michael Lo Sordo, Gail Sorronda, Pip Edwards, Toni Maticevski, and Beare Park—to create a look inspired by Zampatti’s legacy infused with their own signature aesthetics. As Eamon Beattie took the customary post-show bow, many of the designers who had been sitting front row joined her on the runway. It was a remarkable show of community and an important statement of support. Wouldn’t it be satisfying if other establishment designers in cities around the world followed suit?
