Carla Zampatti

- Italy's a very beautiful country then I remember being in this church and gazing at the ceiling and the frescoes. And being wondrous about the wonderful draping on the saints. And I think that's where my first idea of maybe, first connection with texture, a textile. But then my mother took me to a dressmaker and I discovered what I wanted to do in life at the age of six. I decided I wanted to be a fashion designer. I wanted to create beautiful fashion.

I think if you have something in mind that you really love that you know you will love, eventually, you find a way. Women's role in society has changed enormously. It was unusual for a woman to want to start her own business. In fact, in the public sector if you got married, you had to leave your job. Things changed dramatically from mid 60s, which is when I started, and I kind of was really fortunate because I was on the crest of that change the whole time. I was part of that change. I was one of the many women who wanted to have a job, wanted to have a career, wanted to be in charge of their existence, their life. Wanted to really take hold of their life. And so, that was important. So it was really wonderful. And throughout my career, I have seen the evolution of women in the workforce.

I get a lot of emails from my clients, and they'll tell me that my product gives them confidence, makes them look beautiful. Discover something in their souls that they didn't know. And that is what I always wanted to do. I really believe that women make a wonderful contribution in society. And it's very important for them to feel good about themselves. If you're wearing something that you really like and that you know is bringing out the best in you, you can forget about that item and just get on with life. And that's what I try and do and I'm told by my clients that is what, in fact, my product does. So that is why I'm still working at this very late point of my life.

I've learned to value my own taste. It's a skill that when you've been practising as long as I have, you develop and you rely upon it. But the skill, really believing in what you do, and the fact that you're good at what you do, is something that doesn't happen immediately. It takes years and years of practice to become confident. But I'm not over confident. Each collection that I launch I think, oh my God, what if they hate this one? What if they pan me? And that kind of nervousness is really good because it makes you try hard. And I actually believe competition is excellent. That's stimulating. You know you have to try hard. You know you have to be good, otherwise why would your client come to you? I actually think women have inspired me. I think their drive, their will to achieve, Dame Quentin Bryce for instance, is inspirational. She's also a friend. And I just think women who have the courage to pursue what they want to pursue and manage so well, they are inspiring.

In fashion, you become synonymous with your brand. So that portrait was in fact taken for the Harper's Bazaar Woman of the Year Award. And when I was asked would I mind if they created that into a portrait, I was very honoured. Because I think there's something magical about portraits, about people. I love portraits. They are my favourite. Portraits of people, particularly people that have done something, are very interesting. And this is where it's landed which is fabulous. It's a great honour. I'm delighted, thank you.