Australian designer Aurelio Costarella has died at age 60 after a recent diagnosis with Creutzfeldt Jakob.Western Australia’s most successful designer, Perth-born a stalwart of the Australian Fashion Week schedule for a number of years.

At his peak he was selling to Barneys New York, Harvey Nichols, Henri Bendel and Villa Moda, with 100 stockists in Australia, including the David Jones department store chain.

His designs were worn by names including Queen Mary of Denmark, Cate Blanchett, Charlize Theron, Rihanna, Geri Halliwell and Dita Von Teese.In 2017, citing the difficult retail economy and mental health struggles, he shuttered his business to focus on art.

He was a gentleman, a sweet soul and creative visionary, in March 2007, in a bid to raise funds to accelerate the business into international markets, Costarella’s company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, debuting at a loss. Australia has lost a brilliant creator who touched the lives of so many.

FM