Zampatti Powerhouse is the first retrospective exhibition of renowned Australian designer, business leader, philanthropist and mentor Carla Zampatti, AC, OMRI (1938–2021).
Encapsulating Zampatti’s trailblazing career from the establishment of her business to her most recent work, the exhibition draws from more than five decades of material.
In 1965, Zampatti established the Sydney fashion house and brand that is still loved by generations of women. She thrived through periods of enormous change while refining her design ethos of simplicity, understatement and strength.
This is the first exhibition to chart the course of Australia’s longest-working fashion designer, acknowledging Zampatti’s manifold achievements and impact on Australian life.
The major exhibition features 100 outfits, including personal items from Zampatti’s estate, the Carla Zampatti Fashion Archive, the wardrobes of well-known women and the results of hundreds of responses to a public callout.
The garments trace the evolution of Zampatti’s style from the youthful spirit of the 1960s and 1970s to the relaxed sophistication of later years. The exhibition centres on the many beloved ‘Carlas’ retained for decades and the stories interwoven with Zampatti’s clothing.
Highlights include rarely seen designs from her early career and loans from clients including HRH Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO, the Hon Linda Burney MP and women from around Australia.
‘Fashion has a responsibility to take people out of the ordinary. Perhaps therein lies some of its mystery, which owes its origin to the fact every now and then fashion provides for us a high point in our day or our life, an answer to some of our needs.’
Exhibition
‘Fashion today is about making the best of what nature has given us and not being embarrassed by it. More and more in the sense fashion belongs to a healthier world, a world where we can all triumph in the elegance of nature.’
Two monumental audio and video installations explore Zampatti’s world through her own voice and intimate conversations among those who knew her.
Hear from her family, friends, employees, clients and heads of businesses, arts, multicultural and charitable organisations she supported over her lifetime.
As with those who lent their clothing, the honour roll of interviewees, including Ita Buttrose AC OBE, Gladys Berejiklian and Christine Holgate, belies the breadth of people inspired by Carla Zampatti.
Collaborators
Powerhouse expresses gratitude to the Zampatti family and the many lenders, donors and interviewees who contributed to the exhibition.
Carla Zampatti family and team:
Alex Schuman
Allegra Spender
Bianca Spender
Tiffany Britt
Trung Nam Do
Bryony Kent
Grace Koo
Jemma Lam
Supported By
Zampatti x Powerhouse + Sydney Dance Company
‘Fashion designers are catering to peoples’ fantasies, the real person and our dream of what we would like to be - a harmonious blend of myth and reality’
