Fashion star goes back to start
Fashion designer Aurelio Costarella at the WA Museum. Picture: Mogens Johansen/The West Australian
WA fashion will go on show in a rare retrospective exhibition of the work of one of the State's highest profile designers.
The WA Museum will host a 30-year retrospective of homegrown designer Aurelio Costarella's work in a first for the institution.
Costarella has designed for some big stars, including former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, singer Rihanna, supermodel Tyra Banks, burlesque star Dita von Teese and singer Dannii Minogue.
The designer has risen to prominence along with the State's fashion industry.
"I think that it's important the museum does actually represent the history of West Australian fashion," Costarella said.
"Western Australia has some wonderful creative talent and it has certainly come a long way in the last 30 years.
"There was very little in terms of fashion industry here when I set out on my journey."
Costarella said WA was now attracting attention from other parts of the Australian market.
"A lot of great designers . . . are emerging now," he said. "I think it's evolved into a very innovative place.
"We have a lot of designers based here in WA who are doing very well internationally. It's a very exciting time for the industry."
The exhibition, which includes gowns on mannequins, fashion tableaus, video footage of catwalk presentations and projections, will run from November 2 to February alongside Frock Stars: Inside Australian Fashion Week, a nationally touring show revealing what it's like to be backstage at an Australian fashion show.
Both exhibitions are free.
'WA has some wonderful creative talent and it's come a long way in the last 30 years.'" *Aurelio Costarella *
