Legendary Australian fashion designer Carla Zampatti dies after falling down stairs at opera performance

Carla Zampatti
Carla Zampatti fell down a staircase last week. Photo credit: Getty

Legendary Italian-Australian fashion designer Carla Zampatti has died after falling down a staircase at a Sydney opera performance.

The fall, which knocked the 78-year-old unconscious, occurred while she attended the opening night of La Traviata at Mrs Macquaries Point on Sydney Harbour last Friday night.

Zampatti was rushed to St Vincent's Hospital for treatment, but on Saturday morning succumbed to her injuries after more than a week in a coma.

Zampatti is survived by her three children - Alexander Schuman, Bianca Spender and Allegra Spender - and nine grandchildren.

"Her family is very grateful for the support and for the excellent care from the team at St Vincent's Hospital Sydney," reads an obituary to the designer on an online memorial page.

Zampatti was well-known in Australia, having designed garments for celebrities, royalty and politicians during an illustrious career.

She famously dressed the likes of actresses Nicole Kidman and Cate Blanchett, Princess Mary of Denmark, former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian and former Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.

Carla Zampatti
Carla Zampatti is survived by her three children and nine grandchildren. Photo credit: Getty

Last week, Opera Australia CEO Rory Jeffes said Zampatti's fall had occurred after the opera had finished. He said there was a "comprehensive" safety plan in place, including the use of lights and handrails.

Jeffes told the Sydney Morning Herald Opera Australia would review the lighting after the accident.