- Museum set to host stunning season of fashion
- Two exhibitions salute renowned WA designer and Australian Fashion Week
- Your backstage pass to the exclusive world of high fashion - free  

The Western Australian Museum is set to host a season of fashion with two exhibitions saluting the best that Australian fashion has to offer.

Aurelio Costarella: A 30 year retrospective and Frock Stars: Inside Australian Fashion Week will run concurrently from November 2 through until February 2014.

Culture and the Arts Minister John Day said the exhibitions were a great opportunity for the community to experience the nation’s fashion industry from two unique perspectives.

“The museum’s innovative approach to presenting two distinct yet complementary fashion exhibitions side-by-side, free of charge, over the summer will attract the interest of Perth’s fashion enthusiasts,” Mr Day said.

“Visitors to Frock Stars will experience what it’s like to be in the front row of a show at Australian Fashion Week, including what happens backstage and the creative processes of putting a collection together.

“In contrast, the Aurelio Costarella retrospective will be presented throughout the museum with models in celebrity gowns perched on top of antique showcases and arranged among the museum’s butterfly and skeleton collections.

“Aurelio Costarella is an influential WA designer with 30 years’ experience in dressing local, national and international personalities. This exhibition will celebrate Aurelio’s journey and show how Perth has evolved into a bold, confident and discerning location for fashion.”

Frock Stars was developed by Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum in collaboration with IMG Fashion.  It showcases the history, highlights, controversies and achievements of Australian Fashion Week, an event that has challenged and changed perceptions of Australia’s fashion industry.

Fact File
·   Aurelio Costarella and Frock Stars exhibitions will be free of charge
·   State Government supports WA’s growing fashion industry and has provided 310 designers with more than $2.2million since 2004

Minister’s Office media contact: Amanda Carrie 6552 6200 or 0437 554 315 amanda.carrie@dpc.wa.gov.au
WA Museum media contact: Niki Comparti 6552 7805 niki.comparti@museum.wa.gov.au