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A new chapter

Sarah Watanabe and Shane Newton. Picture: Michael O'Brien/The West Australian

It's the leading fashion fundraiser that has kickstarted many emerging Perth labels and continues to welcome back acclaimed veteran designers year after year.

And 2014 is no different for STYLEAID, with the 17th annual event set to welcome a list of WA's most celebrated design talent to the runway on August 1.

AAA can exclusively reveal the line-up includes long-time supporters Aurelio Costarella, Flannel and Morrison along with some of the fastest-rising stars of the fashion world, such as Zhivago, Zsadar and Salasai.

For Zsadar creative Shane Newton, his debut at STYLEAID in 2011 marked the beginning of an exciting journey for his menswear label, which saw him go on to show his wares around the country and even head to Paris Fashion Week last year.

Newton said returning to the event, which has to date raised more than $1.1 million for the WA AIDS Council, for a fourth year running was a true honour.

"It was the first event where I showcased Zsadar, and for me to be able to still participate and still help contribute is just amazing," he said.

"I feel very motivated to put together a strong collection that the audience will hopefully love."

Sarah Watanabe also launched her brand Monster Alphabets at STYLEAID two years ago, where she picked up the coveted Creative Design Award, and said she was looking forward to sharing how her label had evolved since it last took to the catwalk.

With the glittering showcase's theme this year centred on the word "mythic" and the art of storytelling, the designers have been invited to share their interpretation of the concept through the capsule ranges they will offer up at STYLEAID.

And quite by chance, both Newton and Watanabe's current collections lend themselves naturally to the fantastical keyword.

"This year the theme coincidentally works with my own concept this year, which is nocturnal creatures and bats," Watanabe explained.

"It will be a darker form of storytelling so it really fits in."

Newton, meanwhile, will serve up his first-ever foray into prints, with garments that revolve around the idea of the world traveller and "animalistic" styling.

DESIGNERS
Aurelio Costarella
ae’lkemi
Zsadar
Zhivago
Monster Alphabets
Flannel
Morrison
One Fell Swoop
33 Poets
Fenella Peacock
Salasai

Wolfgang and Sons

RETAILERS
Dilettante
Atlas Divine