Photos by Brendan Beime

STYLEAID is the quintessential fashion fundraising event on the Perth social calendar. Now in its 11th year, STYLEAID brings together the very best – and most super stylish – West Australia has to offer for one night and one star struck night only. This not only includes the glittering socialites who call Perth home, but also the abundance of talent who help create the magic backstage, from the designers to the stylists to the models, make up artists and even the fashion students who help create one of the most magnificent nights around.

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STYLEAID is a direct initiative of the WA AIDS Council (WAAC) and the money raised from this salubrious event goes toward supporting projects and programs which do not receive money under WAAC’s HIV/AIDS funding. It also allows WAAC to do work in areas that they perceive there is a need to work in, such as GLBT youth outreach programs through The Freedom Centre, work with people living with HIV/AIDS and other projects. The extravagance that is STYLEAID today originally had incredibly humble origins.

‘STYLEAID evolved out of a desire in the U.S. to do some fundraising early in the HIV epidemic to raise much needed funds to support a range of charities,’ says STYLEAID event manager Mark Reid. ‘It started in L.A. and San Francisco and from there a fundraising group attached to the Victorian AIDS Council decided to bring the event to Melbourne. Then 11 years ago the WA AIDS Council appointed a fundraiser, and it was felt that this would be a great way to do something to raise funds in WA. Melbourne no longer do STYLEAID, but Sydney is currently considering it as an option.’

Since STYLEAID began, just over $500 000 has been raised, with over $100 000 of that from last year alone. That’s a huge sum, raised in part by the over 6020 guests who have attended the last 10 STYLEAID events. Throw in 945 models who have strutted their stuff on the catwalk, plus a staggering 2685 volunteers who have assisted either front of house, backstage, as models, as hair and makeup artists or as committee members. The figures are phenomenal, and they are only set to rise yet again as STYLEAID: Renaissance explodes across the Burswood Entertainment Complex on July 18.

Then there are the designers. The likes of Antipodium, Material Boy, Aurelio Costarella, ae’lkemi, Lola Australia, Ruth Tarvydas, One Fell Swoop, Su, United Constructions and Stand International will showcase their very best alongside emerging labels Alister Yiap, Carly Hunter, Lincoln by Lincoln Ferguson, Of Cabbages & Kings and S2. Also on the catwalk will appear Stockman Paper Project Design winner Leanne Lim, who has constructed a garment made entirely from EnEURO ICE, a semi translucent laminated paper that does not tear but can be cut sewn and constructed as supplied by Stockman Paper Merchants. To bring it all together, Paul O’Brien who plays Sergeant Jack Holden on Seven Network’s Home and Away will host the whole event

The theme this year is Renaissance, but as both Mark Reid and STYLEAID stylist Aly May point out, the theme isn’t all columns and those draping smock frocks of Italy circa the 1500s. No, renaissance here refers more to the original definition of the word, one which heralds a revival of thought and activitiy.

‘I actually use the word as meaning rebirth,’ said Aly May. ‘We’ve just gone through our tenth year anniversary so I wanted to look at the event and to look back at where we’ve been and almost rebirth the event to a degree. I wanted to take elements that had worked in the past and bring those forward to try and create a cleaner, fresher show.’

The overall vision for this year is reportedly a magnificent one.

‘The highlight on the catwalk this year will be the set,’ confided May in what attendees can expect from STYLEAID this July. ‘And on that set for the first time in a long time we’ve developed our own hair and makeup look, which will be very consistent throughout the parade. It’ll strengthen and unify the whole parade. It’ll create a cleaner, neater image.’

The makeup has been devised by MAC wunderkind Carol Mackie for the main five groups of models who will be strutting their stuff at STYLEAID. What sets this year apart, however, is that each group will have a different part of their face highlighted in orange in a truly unique manner. The same applies for the hair, devised by master tonsorialist Paul McClurg, which will see a similar component played out on different parts and in different ways in each group of models. And all this on a set which will be part WaterWorld, part Mad Max, and part classic architecture of today played out in the future.

Tickets to STYLEAID 2008 are available now from www.styleaid.com.au or by contacting Mark Reid directly (08) 9482 0009. Tickets are $200, all inclusive. This means a pre-dinner reception, stunning three coursed meal, fashion parade, entertainment, STYLEAID showbag and drinks by Chalice Bridge, Gage Roads, San Pellegrino and Belvedere Vodka are all included in your ticket price. But hurry – as always it’s nearly sold out!