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DYING FOR LOVE OF FASHION

April 7, 2021 Posted by Vicky Tiel

Carla Zampatti, the most famous Australian fashion designer died this weekend after falling down the majestic marble steps of the Sydney Opéra House while attending a ball. Of course, there was no handrail.

When I saw the newspaper photos of Mme Zampetti that night (wearing her own black ball gown), I immediately saw her shoes in the photo and knew instantly HOW SHE DIED. IT WAS BECAUSE OF her 4 inch high BLACK HIGH HEEL SHOES. She died trying to be Fabulous and she died because she was short ( like me) and wanted to be taller. She fell headfirst down the hard white marble stairs and never woke up.

Carla and I have almost identical 55-year careers, in different continents, me in France, Carla in Australia and both of us doing glamorous movie star’s gowns for the Oscars and dressing the public in posh stores.

We are also both VERY SHORT and both VERY OVER 75.

Her pointed-toe shoes in the photo were possibly Christian Louboutin 4 1/2 inch super skinny heels with the 4 inch cut across the toe from side to side offering NO SUPPORT. LADIES, GIRLFRIENDS OVER 40, DO NOT EVER WEAR THESE INSANE UNSUPPORTED SHOES GOING DOWNSTAIRS, ONLY FOR PHOTO SHOOTS.

Unless you have a death wish!

I prefer my outfit for major balls at my age. My 2-inch shoes are black suede heels from Laurent Mercadal Paris from 1970s. THIS IS THE CORRECT HEEL HEIGHT AND FRONT TOE CUT TO BE SAFE AND STYLISH. My silk printed Tux jacket is VICKY TIEL Paris worn over a beaded blush pink lace slip. (I personally beaded it.) I’m wearing my mother’s Chanel bag and her 1950s gold-plated necklace. My Bakelite bracelets are from Miami and Palm Beach antique stores.

MY BLACK FISHNET STOCKINGS ARE FROM BON MARCHE IN PARIS AND ARE PERFECT FOR MY AGE AS WELL AS MRS BIDEN WHOM I HAVE DRESSED.