Samantha Armytage wears a Carla Zampatti dress as she attends designer’s funeral with husband

Samantha Armytage wears a black Carla Zampatti dress as she attends designer’s funeral with new husband Richard Lavender after her touching tribute to the late fashion icon


Samantha Armytage held on tight to new husband Richard Lavender as they attended the state funeral of her late fashion designer friend, Carla Zampatti, on Thursday. 

The duo joined a bevy of stars at the service to pay their respects to the late industry icon, who died tragically on April 3. 

Samantha, 44, looked stylish in a black figure-hugging dress, believed to be a design of Carla’s, as they attended the funeral at Sydney’s St Mary’s Cathedral.  

Paying tribute: Samantha Armytage wore a black Carla Zampatti dress as she attended the late designer’s funeral with new husband Richard Lavender in Sydney on Thursday

The former Sunrise co-host wore her chic black dress with a star-embellished black blazer, but added a pop of colour with a pair of bright pink heels. 

She also accessorised with a stylish pair of gold oval shades and carried a small black clutch. 

Meanwhile equestrian businessman Richard, 61, looked smart in a dark charcoal suit which he teamed with a white shirt, a navy tie and black leather shoes. 

Fashionable: The former Sunrise co-host wore her chic black dress with a star-embellished black blazer, but added a pop of colour with a pair of bright pink heels

Fashionable: The former Sunrise co-host wore her chic black dress with a star-embellished black blazer, but added a pop of colour with a pair of bright pink heels

Star-studded: The pair joined the likes of Julie Bishop, Melissa Doyle, Sonia Kruger, former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and designer Camilla Franks at the funeral

Star-studded: The pair joined the likes of Julie Bishop, Melissa Doyle, Sonia Kruger, former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and designer Camilla Franks at the funeral

Paying their respects: Mel and Sonia are pictured arriving at the service, which was held at Sydney's St Mary's Cathedral

Paying their respects: Mel and Sonia are pictured arriving at the service, which was held at Sydney's St Mary's Cathedral

Paying their respects: Mel and Sonia are pictured arriving at the service, which was held at Sydney’s St Mary’s Cathedral

Sam and Richard joined the likes of Julie Bishop, Melissa Doyle, Sonia Kruger, former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and designer Camilla Franks at the service. 

Carla, 78, died on April 3, days after a fall at an outdoor opera performance. 

The mother of three and grandmother of nine had spent a week in hospital after the accident.

Tragic: Carla, 78, died on April 3, days after a fall at an outdoor opera performance. The mother-of-three and grandmother of nine had spent a week in hospital after the accident

Tragic: Carla, 78, died on April 3, days after a fall at an outdoor opera performance. The mother-of-three and grandmother of nine had spent a week in hospital after the accident

After her death, Samantha penned a touching tribute to her late friend. 

Sam, who wore a dress by Carla on her wedding day just a few months ago, wrote on Instagram that she was ‘absolutely devastated at the loss of my beautiful friend.’ 

‘Absolutely devastated at the loss of my beautiful friend Carla Zampatti this morning,’ Sam’s post began.

‘She was a creative genius, a wonderful generous elegant woman & very much a part of many of my favourite memories.’

She finished: ‘She will be dearly missed, but never forgotten. And will live on forever in my heart, & my wardrobe. Vale Carla.’ 

Born in Italy in 1942, Zampatti migrated to Australia with her parents in 1950 at age nine, and set up her fashion famous label at 24.

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 and Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman. 

Touching: After her death, Samantha penned a touching tribute to her late friend. Sam, who wore a dress by Carla on her wedding day just a few months ago, wrote on Instagram that she was 'absolutely devastated at the loss of my beautiful friend'

Touching: After her death, Samantha penned a touching tribute to her late friend. Sam, who wore a dress by Carla on her wedding day just a few months ago, wrote on Instagram that she was ‘absolutely devastated at the loss of my beautiful friend’