Mystery Model

There was much chatter at the recent Balenciaga fashion show that feautured Nicole Kidman and Kim Kardashian as to who were the models dressed head to toe in black leather with crash type helmets. Well we can reveal one: as shown above is gorgeous Aussie model Michelle Walshe who is married to top Australian model agent Martin Walshe who looks after the careers of some of the world's top catwalk names. You can watch the Balenciaga parade on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqmkAS6FDKQ

Vale Carla

Born in 1942 in the small Italian village of Lovero, Aussie fashion design supremo Carla Zampatti has passed away after succumbing to injuries from a fall at the Opera in the Botanical Gardens just days ago. Zampatti's decades of timeless, elegant fashion has been much loved over the years from well heeled female corporate executives to visiting celebrities who swore a Zampatti designed outfit was the peak of elegance.

Pictured: Bianca Spender, Carla Zampatti and John Bush

Whispers often encountered Carla at Sydney and Melbourne soirees whether it was the launch of a new small design shop, a charity event, fashion parade or an Art Gallery grand dinner for the late Opera star Luccianno Pavrotti (Zampatti was always at the head table). We'd often see her tootling around Sydney's Eaatern Surburbs in her classic green Rolls Royce Corniche.

Launching her first fashion collection in 1965, success followed success and she opened her first boutique in Surry Hills in 1972. Her fashions have a variety of fans from Princess Mary of Denmark to popster Danii Minouge. Numerous Aussie celebs have featured her designs at some stage including Nicole Kidman. Legendary actress Angela Lansbury once went on shopping spree at Zampatti's Double Bay boutique and Ros Packer is a regular.

Carla's designs are now featured in department store around the country and the world. In 2004 she was awarded the Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic along with Australian honours and in 2005 Carla was featured on a stamp, the ultimate in recognition . Zampatti leaves behind three children, designer Bianca Spender, son Alex Schuman, and Allegra Spender who managers the Zampatti design business. She married politcian John Spender in 1975 and they amicably divorced in 2010.

Fashion moment

To the glorious Sydney Opera House for a preview of department store David Jones upcoming fashion season.
The northern hall of the Opera House really is quite sensational especially in the day time. Stunning views across the harbour to the Harbour Bridge and Luna Park ('Just For Fun').
And of course.. the fashions...what fun.

Fashion Week foibles

 The Mercedes Benz Fashion Week is underway in Sydney. Whispers will have a full report at the end of the week after the conclusion but here is snap of model Bella Hadid posing with a Whisper's discovery : Cheyenne Tozzi on Sydney Harbour. Apparently Bella changed her hotel room which has sent a few journalists into a frenzy. It doesn't take much to excite some people in this town !

"No Comment"

One guest at the David Jones Spring Summer fashion parade last night was TV presenter Angela Bishop, pictured right. Angela's mom is the Hon Bronwyn Bishop MP who has just had a horror few weeks culminating in her resignation as Speaker of The House. Something to do with a helicopter. And what did Angela think of Bronnie's Mensis Mensis Horribulus (hey it's Latin for a ghastly month!).
"No comment" was Angela's response. Sensible girl.
And another guest- the delightful actress and film producer Samara Weaving  (who is actor Hugo Weaving's niece) who we are showing just because we can. And she looks fab.

Construction Zone at David Jones

Daniel Johns entertains at the David Jones Spring Summer fashion parade

They promised us an auditory & sensory experience unlike anything they had showcased before. What we got was David Jones 7th Floor decorated with scaffolding and some colourful lighting. New for them maybe. Hey these publicists have to write something to lure us out on a freezing Sydney winter night. We did get to see some fab clothing from local designers, Daniel Johns from Silverchair singing and forced ourselves to quaff the odd glass of Champagne. And of course, there were some rather nice models. Here are some of the outfits you might be wearing on the beach this year. And the delectable Jessica Gomez because we know you like her.