Bianca Spender has appeared to unveil her new winter clothing collection on the same day as her mother Carla Zampatti’s state funeral.
Hundreds gathered at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney on Thursday to farewell the industry legend who dressed generations of Australian women in her ageless classic style.
Zampatti suffered a catastrophic injury when she fell down steps while attending the opening night of the opera La Traviata at Mrs Macquaries Point on Sydney Harbour on March 26.
The 78-year-old was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital and died eight days later without ever regaining consciousness.
A marketing campaign behind Zampatti’s daughter Bianca Spender’s new collection was launched on the day of the funeral.
Bianca Spender (left) and her mother Carla Zampatti (right) pose ahead of their fashion show on day three of Australian Fashion Week in Sydney, 2010
A marketing campaign behind Zampatti’s daughter Bianca Spender’s new collection was launched on the day of the funeral
An email showing the Bianca Spender Winter 2021 Campaign was circulated on Thursday.
It is not known whether this is a coincidence or part of a tribute to Zampatti.
Zampatti’s designer daughter earlier said she intends to honour the trailblazer’s work.
‘She was always looking to the future. She was always breaking new ground,’ Ms Spender wrote in a tribute to Instagram on Wednesday.
‘In this spirit, I, too, am focused on following her legacy. One step forward at a time.
‘The best way I know to honour her is to work hard to create the kind of timeless, enduring fashion that will be loved by you all.’
Bianca Spender (top left) is seen at her mother’s funeral in Sydney on Thursday
An email showing the Bianca Spender Winter 2021 Campaign was circulated on Thursday
On Thursday, the Bianca Spender website read: ‘Today we say a final goodbye to Carla Zampatti.
‘Loving mother, matriarch, designer, trailblazer, entrepreneur, feminist, philanthropist, icon.’
The tribute included information about the state funeral.
The funeral service began with Zampatti’s own words reverberating through the cathedral as parts of an interviewed conducted near the end of her long life were played.
Zampatti reflected that while she wanted to be a wife and mother she had also longed for a career.
She had wanted to do something worthwhile with her life while helping other women achieve their goals.
On Thursday, the Bianca Spender website read: ‘Today we say a final goodbye to Carla Zampatti.’ ‘Loving mother, matriarch, designer, trailblazer, entrepreneur, feminist, philanthropist, icon’
Hundreds gathered at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney on Thursday to farewell the industry legend who dressed generations of Australian women in her ageless classic style
‘You learn more from the tough times than you do from the good times,’ Zampatti had said.
‘I think if you get stuck in a corner, don’t stay there. Fight to get out.’
Daughter Bianca Spender said her mother was a warm woman who called everyone darling and was ready to offer champagne and croissants at any hour of the day.
‘Nothing made her smile more than seeing her garments out in the world,’ she said.
‘If she was alive today I’m sure she would say this is the best-dressed funeral she has ever attended.’
Son Alexander Schuman said his mother proudly referred to herself as a ‘new Australian’ who worked hard for everything she achieved.
‘Mum loved Australia her adopted country and what she loved most about it were the freedom and opportunity,’ he said.
Three former prime ministers, John Howard, Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull attended the funeral with their wives, Janette, Margie and Lucy.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison was represented by his wife Jenny.
Zampatti suffered a catastrophic injury when she fell down steps while attending the opening night of the opera La Traviata at Mrs Macquaries Point on Sydney Harbour on March 26. The 78-year-old was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital and died eight days later without ever regaining consciousness
Carla Zampatti’s children Alexander Schuman (centre), Bianca Spender (left) and Allegra Spender (right) are seen during their mother’s state funeral at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney on Thursday
Among other dignitaries to pay their respects were Premier Gladys Berejiklian, former governor-generals Dame Quentin Bryce and Sir Peter Cosgrove, NSW Governor Margaret Beazley and her predecessor Dame Marie Bashir.
Mourners included immaculately dressed figures from the worlds of fashion, entertainment and politics as well as members of the public who donned whatever cherished Zampatti pieces they owned.
Broadcaster Alan Jones was joined by designers Collette Dinnigan, Camilla Franks, Nicky Zimmerman, Peter Morrissey and Marc Freeman and Camilla Freeman-Topper from Camilla and Marc.
Television presenters Melissa Doyle, Natalie Barr, Sonia Kruger and Sam Armytage, jeweller Nic Cerrone, former foreign minister Julie Bishop and former federal politician Bronwyn Bishop were spotted in the crowd.
Other notable faces included former Australia Post chief executive Christine Holgate who made an appearance days after claiming Mr Morrison bullied her out of her job.
Loyal staff who had worked for Zampatti over the decades also came to pay tribute to their late boss.
Bianca Spender is seen following the service for her mother in Sydney on Thursday
