Speaking at Carla Zampatti's book launch in Sydney, the fashionable dignitary, who made headlines for her bold and bright outfits during her time in residence at Government House, called on public figures, like Armani loving Julie Bishop, to show support for the local fashion industry through their wardrobe choices.

"They should absolutely be wearing Australian fashion. I feel very strongly about that because what you wear is very important, it's about how you feel and what it says and what you communicate," she told Fairfax Media. "Carla talks about it in her book, how people would stop and ask her in the great cities around the world, in particular New York and Washington, 'Where did you get that wonderful outfit?'

"A big part of that too for me is supporting, not just the designers of the clothes, but the fabrics, I grew up in wool country so I really love Australian wool and natural fibres."

Dame Quentin and Zampatti, who this year celebrates 50 years in the fashion industry, have been friends for close to 40 years and continue to be the epitome of #squadgoals.

After meeting in 1978, when Dame Quentin was appointed to the first National Women's Advisory Council, they forged a solid friendship after Zampatti asked Dame Quentin to compere a fashion show in Brisbane. She agreed on the condition the designer "carpet the floor of the Bundaberg women's refuge I was involved with which continues to be community run today".

Zampatti once accompanied Dame Quentin on an international trade delegation where "the top businessman in Paris only attended because they heard about this very beautiful woman who was heading the delegation. She had a different outfit every day and looked immaculate. How you do it, I don't know. Kept one husband and six children, it's amazing," the twice-divorced mother-of-three joked.

"Nobody loves her more than her old pals, the grannies in their 70s, and she has enriched our lives just as she has our community and our culture," Dame Quentin said clasping Zampatti's hand.

As well as Dame Quentin, Zampatti has dressed a number of high profile personalities, all the while surviving two recessions and interest rates as high as 17 per cent. Crown Princess Mary of Denmark is a long-time fan as is former prime minister Julia Gillard.

Last week Ms Gillard donned a hot pink Zampatti pantsuit for her appearance alongside Charlize Theron and US first lady Michelle Obama at "The Power of an Educated Girl" event to promote the education of young women in New York. Ms Gillard's appearance on the panel was described as "fierce" by Glamour magazine editor-in-chief Cindi Leive.

On Tuesday Zampatti opened the doors of her elegant Woollahra home for the launch of her memoir My Life, My Look. Jeweller Jan Logan, Sunrise's Samantha Armytage and Ten newsreaders Sandra Sully and Natarsha Belling all lined up with copies of the hardback for the fashion stalwart to sign.

"My grandmother has worn Carla, my mother has worn Carla. Normally the brands you'd associate with your mother and your grandmother you wouldn't touch but I happily wear Carla as often as I can. In fact I go begging, weekly, to wear anything by her," Armytage said.