Carla Zampatti, Executive chairman, Carla Zampatti and Chairwoman, SBS corporation
?There is a wonderful feeling of optimism, a feeling of certainty and development, and lots of opportunities that one finds in India,? says Carla Zampatti, executive chairman, Carla Zampatti. Born in Italy and settled in Australia since 1950, Zampatti produced her first apparel collection for Zampatti, followed by a national launch in 1970 with the establishment of Carla Zampatti Ltd. Today, it is a label that combines Australian creativity with Italian style, and a chain of 30 boutiques and concept stores across Australia.
?This is my third visit to the country,? she says. The last two times were as a tourist with the current one as her first business trip to the country. What fascinates her about India is its beauty, incredible sense of aesthetics, spontaneity, and people with a ?can do? attitude. ?There is a sense of drama and spectacle everywhere that you can find. The way Indian women present themselves is wonderful and exotic. If you look at roadside women who work as labourers carrying stones on their heads, they look so glamorous in their own way,? she remarks.
With so much optimism, admiration and appreciation packed into her luggage, can her Indian trip be limited only to work? ?Yes,? she says, elaborating, ?The purpose of my visit is not only business, but also to come and learn about Indian customs and compare notes between both the countries in the field of fashion. This will enable us to strengthen our relations better, I feel.?
And she has much to say on Indian fashion and the glitzy fashion shows. ?Over the years the magic of Indian textile and embroidery is growing, and it is influencing fashion in a big way,? she says. And when asked what kind of changes she could bring about to better things here, she says: ?I feel there should be more exposure to western brands as this will help busy career women dress in a far more elegant way. There should be a greater variety of western dresses so that one gets a greater choice. I also feel that in the coming years the younger generation will embrace western dresses and fashion in a bigger way,? she says.
She has a few tips for young designers too. ?The first thing one should keep in mind is for whom you are designing. Like, when I start designing a collection with a busy career woman in mind, I pay attention to three things ? simplicity, style and quality. The dress should be such that it should make a woman feel confident and comfortable,? she advises.
Zampatti attributes her success to family, which comprises three grown-up children who help her in her business. Her designer daughter has her own brand too. ?The other two are from different fields, but don?t forget to pool in ideas to enrich the knowledge base. Moreover, they have excused me from home completely so that I can devote more time to my business,? she acknowledges. Happy that she has a creative career, Zampatti would like to pass it on to her children, although it?s not compulsory or binding on them.
Working for 10 hours everyday, and partying even harder, she believes in a ?full start? and ?full stop? policy. She loves Indian vegetarian food and wishes she could get it in Australia too. ?In India I can indulge all my interests and I think I am going to keep coming back here. And for work too India is a great place ? thanks to varied business opportunities and a global customer base,? she says, already preparing for her next visit.
