Adelaide fashion design prodigy Paul Vasileff is behind the label Paolo Sebastian. Currently undertaking a scholarship at Instituto Europeo di Design in Milan, he told the Collective about his studies, his inspirations and his plans for a return to Adelaide.
The label’s beginnings…
I started Paolo Sebastian when I was 16, during my final year of high school. I held my very first fashion parade for the canteen charity and it went from there. The response from my first collection was really positive. I didn’t start actually marketing my label and selling until after my Marie Antoinette collection in October 2008.
Why fashion?
It’s something I have loved from a very early age. I used to watch my nonna sewing – she treated it like an art. When I was 3 or 4 I would make dresses out of masking tape and newspaper. Fashion is just something I have always loved. I love fabric and I love making people look good!
Target market?
Generally, my label is aimed at women aged between 16 to 60 – it’s really broad. I specialise in evening wear and couture gowns, but I have people interested in my tailored suits and coats. I do menswear as well… it’s really for anyone who is looking for something special. I like to think of Paolo Sebastian as a luxurious label; it offers a medium between a contemporary and old-worldy look.
Inspiration: where, what and who?
A colour, a fabric, a movie, a person. But, I think the bottom line for me is that it will always be elegant, it will always have an element of another world, and it will always be chic.
A muse?
It changes every season. For my first collection it was a sort of modern glamorous person, then I moved on to old-world couture. In all of 2008 everything was Marie Antoinette, for S/S 2009 it was a Roman goddess and for A/W it was a girl stuck in her grandmother’s attic! It really depends on the mood I’m in at the time… you will always get a different answer.
A love for couture…
For me it’s about the art and the craftsmanship… couture is about quality and the work that goes into each piece. I pride myself on form and fit… the cut of my garments has to be perfect so that when they are worn they become like a second skin. With couture you get a lot more freedom as opposed to ready-to-wear because you’re producing a one-off product.
School in Milan…
I’m studying at the Instituto Europeo di Design (IED). I’m on scholarship and it’s going really well. It’s been a huge adjustment to be away from home and my family and friends as I am only 19 years old. My studies, however, have been really interesting. My lecturers have been amazing; they are all aware of my prior knowledge so they have set out to really push me! The best part is that all of my teachers are still working in industry as well; my pattern making teacher works for Dolce and Gabbana amongst other brands, and the other lecturers are not allowed to tell us who they work for (but I have some ideas).
We are really forced to delve deep into ourselves and pushed to produce good work. My lecturers have recommended me for special projects with other companies, which has been fantastic! I was elected to create a look for an Alfaparf tribute to Milan runway show and I won a Vogue and Swarovski bridal design competition. So I really feel coming to Milan has been worth it!
Plans for Adelaide…
I would love to open up a shop in Adelaide, but I think in terms of funding, I will be a bit far off from that just yet! Coming to Milan has made me decide that I want to keep my work based in Australia and if possible Adelaide. Although I definitely plan to take my label overseas, I love my home.
Interview by Jenna Munday
Runway images by Haute Photography
Sketches by Paolo Sebastian
