Australian Fashion Week names a runway in Carla Zampatti's honour

Australian fashion icon Carla Zampatti died in April. 

And the legendary designer has now been honoured at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week with organisers naming a runway after her.

In a touching photo shared on Instagram Tuesday, Carla’s daughter Bianca Spender posed in front of the runway with her brother Alex and sister Allegra.

Tribute: Carla Zampatti’s daughter Bianca Spender (right) has responded as Fashion Week names a runway in her honour. Pictured with brother Alex (centre) and sister Allegra (left)

‘Thank you so much for the honour of naming this the Carla Zampatti runway we are deeply touched,’ Bianca, 42, wrote in the caption.

‘Having grown up in the industry we have an incredible sense of the importance of shows. They are the moment where everything comes together and the clothes come alive. These shows take you on a journey.

​’So thank you on her behalf, and while it is in her name, it is a testament to the teams that supported her throughout all her shows – those at the front, and those behind the scenes that you may never see.’

Bianca also said she hoped that ‘by naming this runway after her, a little bit of her drive, her determination, her self belief will be part of the journey of the designers that show here’. 

An inspiration: Bianca also shared an inspiring message, admitting that she hoped that ‘ by naming this runway after her, a little bit of her drive, her determination, her self belief will be part of the journey of the designers that show here’

On March 26, the designer suffered a catastrophic injury when she fell down steps on the opening night of the opera La Traviata at Mrs Macquaries Point in Sydney.

The 78-year-old was then taken to St Vincent’s Hospital and died eight days later, on April 3, without ever regaining consciousness.

Her designs have been worn by some of Australia’s most influential women, including Princess Mary of Denmark, Australia’s first female prime minister Julia Gillard, Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman and Gladys Berejiklian.

Carla Zampatti’s name is synonymous with Australian fashion.

Strike a pose! Carla and one of her models pose together during a fashion show in 2008

The high-end designer was born in Italy and immigrated to Western Australia in 1950 when she was about eight years old.

She previously said her desire to show her adopted country her talents was the driving force behind her successful career.

‘Economically, socially, lifestyle – migration has been a huge benefit for this country,’ she said.

Hardworking ambitions: ‘This country today is an economic force and I do believe it’s primarily because of the wonderful contributions that hardworking ambitious [immigrants bring]’ 

‘This country today is an economic force and I do believe it’s primarily because of the wonderful contributions that hardworking ambitious [immigrants bring].’

She said when a person arrives in a new country, there is often a desire to show their value to the country.

‘It’s interesting coming to a new country, you’re an outsider, and you want to prove to the country that has adopted you how good you are – that was my driving force and I do believe everyone who arrives in this country has an ambition on how they could add value to the country.’

Icon: The high-end designer was born in Italy and immigrated to Western Australia in 1950 when she was about eight years old