Aurelio Costarella
Class of 1981
Class of 1981
Fashion designer
Aurelio Costarella is one of Australia's most respected fashion designers. He is a creative pioneer who has been instrumental in the growth of WA's fashion industry since 1983, helping to take it from a place of pure manufacture to one which contributes exciting design and innovation. His local company has become an international luxary brand.
Aurelio grew up as the youngest son of an Italian migrant family. Born in Mount Lawley, he went to North Perth Primary School and Mount Lawley Senior High School. His studio was set up in the original North Perth Post Office across the road from his primary school, and very close to his original home. He is proof that it is possible to reach great heights and to achieve this without forgetting the roots of family and childhood.
Aurelio's fashion sense is completely self taught, initially creating his designs on the family dining table. As a 19 year old he finally showed his work to a local boutique, and within a year 70% of sales were from his designs. Within another year, he owned the boutique.
His list of achievements is remarkable. He was the first fashion designer to list on the Australian Stock Exchange. He has designed collections for the Fashion Weeks in New York, London and Paris.
In April 2011, then Prime Minister Julia Gillard wore a silk jacket for the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. Later that year, Aurelio met HRH Queen Elizabeth at the CHOGM conference in Perth. In October 2013, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, wore a gown on the cover of the Australian Woman;s Weekly 80th birthday issue.
He has enjoyed a loyal following amongst a range of celebrities, including Rihanna, Sharon Stone, Jennifer Hawkins, Dannii Minogue, Geri Helliwell, Melissa George, Kate Cebrano, Tara Moss, Jessica Mauboy and Eva Mendes, just to mention a few.
Further recognition came by way of various formal awards, including the WA Fashion Designer Award (Evening Wear0 in 1989, the WA Designer of the Year (Eveningwear and Direction Daywear) in 1994 and 1995 and WA Designer of the Year in 2004. In 2007, Aurelio won the Small Business Champion of the Year and was a nominee for WA Citizen of the Year. In 2009, he won the Caulfield Classics Style Award.
In November 2013, the WA Museum staged an exhibition entitled 'A 30 Year Retrospective' as a tribute to Aurelio's career. In 2016, he was inducted into the Design Institute of Australia's Hall of Fame.
In 2015, Aurelio gave the keynote speech at Lifeline's Black Diamond Gala to talk about his battles with anxiety and depression, becoming an Ambassador for Lifeline WA.
In 2017, after 33 years, Aurelio decided to retire and released his final collection, 'Thirty Three'. Of his future, he says "Whilst I will continue to be involved in creative pursuits by way of painting and design, I plan to be very active in the mental health and wellness space".
Praised as one of the industry's most creative talents, a quietly spoken gentleman with a love of delicate flowers and 20th century buildings, Aurelio's integrity and passion for quality have seen him shine for over three decades.