For more than 50 years,the “cornerstone” garment has been a mainstay of her collections,whether in solid black with a deep v-neck (her personal favourite),or in soft layers of animal-print crepe that would fall just so,regardless of the shape or size of the wearer. For to wear a Carla Zampatti jumpsuit,no matter the occasion,was to make an entrance.
“If they sit properly,[a jumpsuit can] make you feel taller,slimmer and very relaxed,” Zampatti said last year,which marked the55th anniversary of her brand.
In fact,her styles were so distinguishable they could be spotted from a mile away,often with their signature mesh panel to,you know,keep things “together”,or a small detail here or there to add intrigue but never so fashion forward as to render them obsolete next season.
Of course,Zampatti didn’t invent the jumpsuit. That honour,like so many garments,has its military connections,invented for parachutists in 1919. But,like the trenchcoat and combat boot,the jumpsuit’s place in fashion has become firmly established,thanks to designers such as Halston and Schiaparelli,or celebrities including Elvis and Cher. According to FrenchVogue,the first jumpsuit appeared in the magazine in 1964. Even Princess Diana was snapped wearing one in 1987 with Princes William and Harry.
Following the ’80s,when some argued jumpsuits had reached saturation point,Zampatti persevered with her design,such was her dedication to and an attentive ear for what her customers wanted. Last year,she shared an anecdote about attending a function in Canberra,where she arrived in the same jumpsuit as another guest,who was just 16 years old.