The first Carla Zampatti Award for Excellence in Leadership will be handed out in November, in tribute to the trailblazing fashion designer and businesswoman who died in April.With the blessing of Zampatti’s family, mega agency IMG announced the accolade to honour the Australian fashion icon, who died aged 78.Throughout her career, Zampatti was recognised for her power dressing designs, contribution to the Australian fashion industry, philanthropic work and for inspiring and championing women in business.The Italian-born fashion mogul was honoured with a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2009 and the Australian Fashion Laureate’s lifetime achievement award in that same year – the first recipient of the honour. IMG vice president and managing director Natalie Xenita said the new award in Zampatti’s name would honour her legacy. “She was an amazing mentor to so many in the Australian fashion industry,” Xenita said. “Carla was an incredible businesswoman herself and was about empowering women through her clothes. “She dressed a lot of powerful women and businesswomen and continues to do so, with Carla Zampatti as their designer of choice,” she added. “Her designs make you feel powerful as a woman.”“We felt it was important to acknowledge her at the Laureate – this is our way of continuing her legacy and ensuring that legacy carries over,” Xenita said. Xenita said the criteria for the inaugural Carla Zampatti Award for Excellence in Leadership was determined via input from Zampatti’s family, including her daughters Bianca and Allegra Spencer, and son Alex Schuman, who is chief executive of the Carla Zampatti brand. In a statement, Schuman said: “Mum dedicated her life to the Australian fashion industry, so for her life’s work to be honoured in such a way is a true honour for Bianca, Allegra and me”.“We look forward to presenting this award to the winner in November.”In May, Zampatti was honoured with a runway at Sydney’s Carriageworks named after her at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week. Zampatti was farewelled at a state funeral at Sydney’s St Mary’s Cathedral – she died in hospital from injuries after a fall at the opening night of La Traviata at Mrs Macquarie’s Point.Speaking at the funeral, daughter Bianca Spender told the congregation: “Nothing made [mum] happier than seeing her garments out and about”.“If she was alive today, I’m sure she’d say this was the best-dressed funeral she had ever attended.”The Australian Fashion Laureate – including the award honouring Zampatti – will be announced in Sydney on November 30.
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