Image by Weronika Mamot
From humble roots in Adelaide’s western suburbs, Paul Vasileff has turned a dream into a reality as the creative director, designer, and founder of the South Australian-based haute couture label, Paolo Sebastian. These days, Paul and the Paolo Sebastian team are taking over the global fashion scene, dressing A-list Hollywood stars, hosting runway shows at fashion weeks, and welcoming clients into boutiques around the world. From Kim Kardashian for Vogue and Sydney Sweeney at the Golden Globes, Paolo Sebastian has more than made a name for itself in the fashion world.
Paul has always been enamoured with couture design, and after first being taught to sew at age three by his grandmother, he spent his childhood fascinated by design. After making his first evening dress at age eleven, Paul debuted his first collection as a teenager at only seventeen years old. After being met with rave reviews from the press and having his designs adored by the public, he quickly became an apprentice with an Italian tailor to develop his skills and techniques. He then studied at the prestigious Europeo Instituto di Design under a scholarship in Milan, Italy, where he graduated with honours.
Upon his return to Adelaide, Paolo Sebastian was in full swing, and Paul began to expand his business, hiring a team of talented staff. In the years since, Paolo Sebastian has grown on a worldwide scale, receiving widespread acclaim, and is a dream come true for Paul.
These days, working with the likes of Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld, Heidi Klum, Sydney Sweeney, Adut Akech, and Anya Taylor-Joy, is not out of the ordinary for the team.
“It is always so exciting working with celebrities,” shared Paul.
“Growing up, I would closely follow events like the Met Gala and the Oscars. To now know that our gowns have been displayed on these carpets is so surreal. We most recently worked with Rachel Zegler in creating a custom piece for her Snow White press tour. The white strapless ball gown, which involved over 250 hours to complete by hand, was crafted of Italian tulle and featured a caged corset bodice with exposed boning. Working with Rachel and her stylist, Sarah Slutsky Tooley, as they embarked on sharing Snow White with the world was a dream come true.”
Whether it’s working one-on-one with these stars, and their stylists to create a custom gown or dressing them in the stunning pieces from Paolo Sebastian’s most recent collections, so much goes into making these gowns.
At the Oscars just gone, Paul and the team worked closely with three-time Emmy winner Keltie Knight, dressing her in a stunning ballerina gown with crinoline banding and stardust embellishment. The dress, which is from one of Paolo Sebastian’s latest couture collections, ‘Polvere Di Stelle’, and balanced elegance and extravagance with a dreamy combination of illusion tulle, feminine waistline, and a romantic, soft bust silhouette.
Paolo Sebastian first dressed Keltie all the way back in 2014, and has since worked with her for numerous events like the Grammys, the Golden Globe Awards, and the Met Gala.
“It is so exciting; it is always so surreal for the team and me because growing up, I used to watch the Oscars and see these beautiful dresses walk down the red carpet. To know now that our gowns are featured on that global stage is so wonderful and never gets old. We are also extremely thrilled to get to do this all from Adelaide,” shared Paul.
Paolo Sebastian truly is a testament to making dreams a reality. All of Paolo Sebastian’s pieces continue to be handmade here in Adelaide, with Paul and his team of talented seamstresses bringing a vision to life. We will continue to see Paolo Sebastian shine on a global stage, so next time you’re flicking through a magazine or scrolling social media, keep an eye out for the stunning designs that are born and made right here in Adelaide.
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