Paul Vasileff's named 2017 Young Australian of the Year for Paolo Sebastian couture, created in Adelaide
A Paulo Sebastian gown by Paul Vasileff featured at the Art Gallery of South Australia.
Paul Vasileff image courtesy ABC News
Adelaide fashion designer Paul Vasileff had his label Paolo Sebastian gracing international runways and worn by celebrities around the world, while still in his twenties.
In less than 10 years, Vasileff, managed to turn his label into one of Australia's leading couture houses, a feat recognised when he was named 2017 Young Australian of the Year.
Adelaide-born Vasileff’s early artistic aptitude was supported by private lessons from age three. He was introduced to sewing by his grandmother and he took pattern-making lessons. At 11, Vasileff made his first design for a childhood friend.
The Paolo Sebastian was launched with 63 designs in 2007 with his first runway show – part of his senior high school year extension studies subject, strongly supported by family and friends. Vasileff won a scholarship to Milan's Instito Europo di Design in 2010. During his year at the institute, one of Vasileff's designs was featured at London fashion week.
Back in his Adelaide home studio, Vasileff began designing custom pieces for clients increasingly from interstate and overseas. Vasileff moved to his first atelier in suburban Adelaide and in 2015 into the Adelaide CBD, opening the Paolo Sebastian atelier. Valileff launched two couture collections each year, with close attention to detail and the creating a grand story, often inspired by a fable or fairy story, through couture.
In 2015 and 2016, Vasileff closed the Adelaide fashion festival with two sold-out Paolo Sebastian runway shows.
In 2017, his Young South Australian and Young Australian of the year awards were followed by the best Australian evening wear designer prize in the Marie Clair awards. Also that year, Vasileff worked with Disney on an exclusive 34- piece couture collection entitled Once Upon A Dream.
Vasileff's designs have been worn to the Academy, Daytime Emmy and Grammy Awards. High-profile clients have included Kim Kardashian, Megan Gals, Delta Goodrem, Carrie Bickmore, Danii Minogue and Rebecca Judd.
