By Vennette Lailani Seprado
Paolo Sebastian is an Australian fashion label launched in 2007 by a seventeen-year-old designer named Paul Vasileff. Since then, Vasileff has propelled the brand into one of Australia’s leading couture houses dressing the likes of TV presenter – Giuliana Rancic for the Oscars to Australian supermodel and entrepreneur – Megan Gale. Learning how to sew at a young age from his grandmother, Vasileff created a highly successful brand which combines meticulously crafted couture pieces built on timeless elegance and refined details.
Paolo Sebastian comes up with two highly anticipated collections each year that is always accompanied by a narrative or theme which captures the imagination and allows people to dream. For his latest offering, he takes us to the enchanting Russian winter wonderland with the launch of his Autumn/Winter haute couture collection entitled: “The Nutcracker”. It is inspired by the two-act ballet of the same name scored by acclaimed Russian composer, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
The collection was unveiled earlier this month at the Artcurial on des Champs-Élysées to coincide with Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week. It features twenty-six unique pieces ranging from intricately embroidered tea-length dresses to long sweeping ball gowns in his signature illusion necklines.
Known mostly for his ethereal fairytale-like creations, this collection incorporated more structural and tailored pieces with his selection of military jackets detailed with forest themes in metal thread work.
His impeccable craftsmanship is evident in his way of telling a story through his expertise in lacework and embroidery. Fabrics such as silks, chiffons, delicate French tulle and opulent cashmere are embellished with hand-sewn snowflake and crystal beads, floral motifs, and leaf patterns. The color palette of this collection reflects the richness of Russian splendor with the use of garnets and plums to frost white and cool grays depicting the magical Russian winter.
Although the collection isn’t aimed to target the bridal market, some pieces evidently have bridal appeal. His corseted ball gowns, tiered lace, and ballerina-inspired dresses are perfect for a grand affair or a stylish civil ceremony. He has pieces for non-traditional brides who might want to go for a little color as he has pieces for more traditional ones drawn to classic princess-like shapes and finer details.
This is Vasileff’s seventeenth collection for Paolo Sebastian. He designs every piece the successful label creates and conceptualizes both the lookbook and the fashion show in which the collection is presented. He stays true to the vision of his brand by continuously creating highly covetable couture pieces inspired by well-loved tales and fables.
Photos from Paolo Sebastian’s lookbook
