Entertainment

Paolo Sebastian gown to commemorate 50 years of Adelaide Festival Centre

Paulo Sebastian has created a gown as a lasting tirbute to celebrate Adelaide Festival Centre’s 50th anniversary.

South Australian atelier Paolo Sebastian has designed a stunning commemorative gown to mark Adelaide Festival Centre’s Golden Anniversary.

As a lasting tribute, the one-of-a-kind couture piece by Paolo Sebastian designer Paul Vasileff, will be on display in the Festival Theatre foyer from June 2, before becoming a cherished addition to the Festival Centre’s beloved Performing Arts Collection.

Founder and head designer for Paulo Sebastian, Paul Vasileff took inspiration from various elements of Adelaide Festival Centre.

“I looked at different iconography and found key parts that made the space unique, such as the original carpet design, the colour palette and textures,” he said.

“I then translated these elements into the embroidery techniques to create this design.”

Image credit: design

Adelaide Festival Centre’s Performing Arts Collection was established in 1979 by Premier Don Dunstan with the aim to preserve, record and display the significant contributions artists have made on stage and behind-the-scenes.

It also holds items of cultural importance. Since its inception, the Performing Arts Collection has evolved to become one of the most important and comprehensive performing arts collections in Australia and comprises over 100,000 objects.

Items in the collection range from programs and ticket stubs, to artworks, costume renderings and set models, theatre fittings, furniture and décor, costumes and millinery as well as archives and event files dating back to 1858.

“What better way to celebrate our 50th birthday than with a new dress!” Adelaide Festival Centre Performing Arts Collection Coordinator, Helen Trepa said.

“Since Don Dunstan dared to wear a turtleneck at the Festival Theatre’s opening in 1973 instead of the traditional tuxedo, opening night fashion has always been an important part of the theatre’s culture. Every thread and stitch of Paolo Sebastian’s stunning bespoke gown has been inspired by the history, architecture and colours of Adelaide Festival Centre.”

She said the gown was a unique acquisition for the Performing Arts Collection and would forever immortalise one of South Australia’s most prestigious designers and the Festival Centre’s half a century
birthday.

As part of the celebrations, Adelaide Festival Centre’s Star Kitchen and Bar will take guests on a trip down memory lane for one night only on June 2, to commemorate 50 wonderful years. Guests will be able to purchase prawn cocktails and 70’s themed cocktails.

A Celebration Concert will also take place on the Festival Theatre stage on Friday June 2, with performances by an all-star South Australian line-up followed by an after-party
celebration featuring cake, cocktails, live music and DJ’s.

The special event hosted by Libby O’Donovan OAM, will showcase Adelaide Festival Centre’s five festivals, DreamBIG Children’s Festival, Adelaide Cabaret Festival, OzAsia Festival, Adelaide Guitar Festival and OUR
MOB.

The concert will feature the talents of Adelaide Guitar Festival Artistic Director Slava Grigoryan, Sharon
Grigoryan, Katie Aspel, Michael Griffiths, Counterpoint Ensemble, Lazaro Numa and the South Australian
Primary Schools Choir.

In addition to the concert, an exhibition called, Turn Up Your Radio, celebrating Adelaide’s music scene, will also open on June 2.

The exhibition will feature music memorabilia including original handwritten song lyrics, costumes, photographs and gig posters from South Australia’s best-known bands and will include
photographs submitted by music lovers, amateur photographers, gig attendees and professional
photographers. Turn Up Your Radio will be open to the public Thursdays and Saturdays from 10am to 3pm and during show times in Festival Theatre Galleries until August 12.


Adelaide Festival Centre 50th Anniversary Celebration Concert
When:
Friday 2 June 2023 at 7.00pm
Get your tickets here: buy tickets

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