Australian fashion designer to the stars Aurelio Costarella died aged 60 in Western Australia on Saturday morning after a short battle with a rare brain disease.

The Perth native was recently diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a rare and fatal condition which leads to progressive loss of brain function.

His death was announced on his Instagram account just hours after his passing from the condition, which also previously took the life of his sister Gracie.

‘RIP: Aurelio Costarella peacefully left this world this morning to begin his journey to a new one. Sending love to all whose heart he has touched,’ read the caption.

Celebrities who worked with and befriended Aurelio quickly flooded the comments with their tributes and condolences.

Network Ten TV star Narelda Jacobs kicked off the messages with: ‘Australia has lost a brilliant creator who touched the lives of so many.