Carla Zampatti AC
Executive Chairman, Carla Zampatti Pty Ltd
Ceremony: 11 October, 10.30am
Speech
Congratulations. Today is a very, very special day – a celebration of all your hard work, and the beginning of your career, your dreams; the beginning of realising your dreams. For those who have a dream of starting your own business immediately, don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid to fail. Because if you do, you will learn something in the process.
For the others, who are a bit more hesitant and would like greater knowledge, maybe I would recommend you do what I did, which was, I dreamt of being a fashion designer from the age of five. I didn’t quite know how to begin, because at the time that I was beginning, UTS wasn’t teaching fashion design. So I got a job in fashion, and was able to design a collection. That collection sold very well in the marketplace, and that enabled, gave me the confidence to go out and create my own brand. It’s very hard, it’s tough work, but it is absolutely worthwhile.
It’s a very competitive world, and that is why you need all the experience, but it’s also today because of technology, it’s a world of opportunities and communication, so I think as I said earlier, to fail today is not bad. In fact, I was told by someone in technology that failure is sexy today, because what you learn by the process is amazing; you can take to your next job.
What I’d like to finish with is have confidence in your ideas. Your ideas are the very essence that makes a difference in the world, whether it’s architecture, design, business. Original ideas are very important. Don’t be afraid to be passionate about them, to push them. Keep on pushing until they are realised. It’s really exciting; it’s what makes business exciting; that’s what gives business an advantage over the competition. It gives, particularly in design, any kind of design, but also in business, you have something to give – something within you, something special. If you don’t realise these ideas, you will be frustrated, so I think it’s very, very important that you have confidence of what you are, who you are, and you push through and make a difference. Thank you for having me. Thank you.
About the speaker
Carla’s wide range of accomplishments and achievements span over 50 years as a leading figure in the fashion industry both here in Australia and around the world.
She is the Executive Chairwoman of Carla Zampatti. In addition to this she sits on the board of directors for the Australian Multicultural Foundation, the European Australian Business Council, Sydney Dance Company, and UTS Vice Chancellor’s Industry Advisory Board.
Carla has been recognised with a number of Australian and international awards for achievement and excellence, including Bulletin/Qantas Businesswoman of the Year. In 1994 she was named ‘Designer of the Year’ by the Australian fashion industry.
In January 2005, Carla was named an ‘Australia Post Australian Legend’. The recipients of this Award are individually featured on a postage stamp. Carla later designed the new Australia Post corporate wear, launched in October 2007.
Already a Member of the Order of Australia, Carla was appointed Companion of the Order of Australia as part of The Queen’s Birthday Honours in June 2009. This honour recognises Carla’s contributions to fashion and business, as well as being a role model for women.
She has contributed her time as a volunteer on a diverse range of boards and committees, including the Migrant Employee Qualifications Board, and the Textiles Clothing and Footwear Advisory Panel. Ms Zampatti holds an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Western Sydney University and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Monash University.
