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Costarella designs right on song

Showtime: Actors Astrid Grant and Jacinta Larcombe with designer Aurelio Costarella. Picture: Iain Gillespie/The West Australian

Aurelio Costarella's designs are usually seen at big events or in magazines but next month they take centre stage at the State Theatre Centre.

The leading designer is collaborating with Perth Theatre Company to design 12 costumes for Melissa Cantwell's work The Song Was Wrong, to premiere at Studio Underground on June 4.

It has been a refreshing change for Costarella, who has designed costumes for the WA Ballet and the WA Opera. "I love anything that takes me away from fashion," he said.

"I find it challenging but I also like working with performers and just seeing the pieces come alive in a very different environment."

The North Perth local is excited about opening night but would rather be backstage.

"I'm more anxious sitting and watching than I am being backstage, I’m really comfortable backstage because that’s what I’m used to; backstage is a safe environment for me,” Costarella said.

“One year at Melbourne Fashion Festival I sat there watching a show and a girl came out with a dress that was on backwards. I had this urge to jump up and spin it around.

“You have situations where things are misrepresented when you don’t have that control being backstage but with theatre, that’s not going to happen.”