As I walked up to the DiFabio Bros on Pultney street, my eyes caught the sparkle of sequins and vibrant red fabric from the glamourous gowns in the window. Once in, I felt as if I had stepped into another world. Past the vibrant dresses, I was met with racks of beautiful fabrics and fine tailored suits dotted around the room. Through the back of the studio I could see rows of thread spools and chattering sewing machines, as busy tailors sat creating their works of art – the perfect suit. This is Italian tailoring done the old school way – with their hands.

There is something charming about the delightful juxtaposition within this Adelaide hideaway. Glamorous, almost extravagant ball gowns sit amidst traditional Italian tailoring at its best.

            

(I spotted this Audrey Hepburn inspiration and had to take a snap! Love love love)

For 21 year old Paul Vasileff, the name behind Adelaide fashion label Paolo Sebastian, this mix of old tradition, with new design style has been the prefect formula to build his label.

While Paul may have learnt traditional tailoring techniques through the making of suits, he has certainly built his label out into a whole new world of design. Literally.

“My designs have an underlining theme of some other world…something that is not seen every day,” he says. “I like when my clients put on their dresses, they get to have that Cinderella feeling – become another version of themselves.”

That ‘Cinderella feeling’ is pretty much what every girl dreams for in a dress. It makes our eyes swell, and a grin form across our faces when we see it. It comes from the Disney-princess loving child within us. It’s a look that says ‘I MUST have that dress because it WILL change my life”.

In fact, as I was in the studio, this exact moment occurred. An unsuspecting girl strolled by and she glimpsed the dress and then it all happened – eyes swelled, grin formed, and she marched in the door and said ‘I want that dress’. Paul has certainly mastered this power with his gorgeous designs (I myself could be seen drooling over a certain red number in the window).

Fabulous black gown by Paul (you may recognise it as the dress gorgeous model Jess wears, as the face of the AFF)

The dress I mention above (you know, the ah-mazing drool-over one!)

However, Paul doesn’t just do dresses. He mixes the dresses with a bit of tailoring in designs for pants and shirts, and even full mens suits (which he admits he makes for himself too!) But, whatever Paul makes, there is always an element of glam.

“My last show I did, I did lingerie, but it was all very Marie Antoinette inspired. Whatever I do, it always has my spin on it.”

Paul says much of his inspiration for his initial work has been from the 1950’s and designers such as Christian Dior, Balenciaga and Givenchy. But he now notes Russian composer Tchaikovsky as a major inspiration.

“This collection is inspired by Tchaikovsky and the music of his ballets. I think because there is so much emotion in his music. I want people to get the feeling from the dresses, that I get from his music – that emotion. The dresses have a story, a mood, just like the music.”

This passion and obvious talent for design that Paul possesses did not go unnoticed, as he was accepted into the prestigious Instituto Europeo di Design in Milan in 2010.

“I applied for a scholarship, not thinking I would get it, but I thought I would try – what’s the worst that can happen?”  

 Paul left for Milan in January 2010, and returned home almost a year later, with new ideas, inspiration and a new outlook.

“It was really hard for me to leave, but I am so glad I did it – it was one of the best experiences of my life. I think it has made me better as a person. I am more aware of the global situation, what else is going on in the world. People need to understand what it’s like in Paris, or in Italy.”

“That experience has influenced my design aesthetic. Being at school there, they really pushed me to do better and work harder.The teachers over there really pushed me. They knew what I could do, and that I could do more.”

Paul even met some famous faces over in the land of Pizza and all things beautiful. (That’s right, I’m going to name drop, people…get ready for it…)

 “I got to meet Georgio Armani and Roberta Cavalli,” reveals Paul, “it’s insane, but that’s where they all live!”

Grinning, Paul continues;

“when I met Georgio Armani, I handed him my portfolio, he had a look, and he really liked my work!”

And now, Paul is bringing his experiences to the table, as he sits on the committee for the AFF, working to produce the best festival yet. He also hopes his experiences will benefit to production of his own personal Paolo Sebastian show featuring in the AFF this year.

“I am trying to bring my experience from Milan to the festival. With my show especially, the way I am setting it up is very much from my experiences overseas.”

And from the sounds of it, Paul’s show is one not to be missed. Paul excitedly shared sneak peaks of his show with me, giving me an insight into the glamourous affair (but my lips are sealed – you will have to come see for yourselves!) 

“The music, the set, the lighting – every last part has been thought out a great deal. I think as soon as people walk into the hall of my show, they will get the idea.”

Paul says this year’s festival is not to be missed!

“I’m really looking forward to seeing it all come together,” he says. “But I’m especially looking forward to the closing – the young emerging designers. I’m looking forward to seeing what they come up with this year.” (You can get tickets to the final closing show – the Chambord SA Designers Fashion Showcase here)

Paul’s show, the Paolo Sebastion A/W Couture Fashion Show will be held at the Festival Function Centre, Tuesday the 18th of October at 7pm. Pencil, no PEN, it in people! Tickets available through the Festival Function Centre, call 8268 9558.

See you there my pretties! Until then, drop into Paul’s studio at the DiFabio Bros, and experience the magic yourself, and meet the magician (aka Paul).

El. xx 

p.s. Paul’s top trend tip for the coming season:

“I think navy and colours are going to be huge…and I think velvet blazers are going to be big. That’s what I’ve seen overseas, and talking to friends in Milan. That and leopard.”