Arts Design

LABORS OF LOVE TO WEAR NOW

Image: Courtesy of Paolo Sebastian. Couture Collection, designed by Paul Sebastian.

PAOLO SEBASTIAN

You can easily fall in love with Paolo Sebastian’s labors of love. These couture gowns are stunning works of art, designed and crafted with extraordinarily intricate detail.

Women model extravagant pale pink gowns, covered with pink flower appliques, as they walk along a path, through a row of trees. Paul Sebastian, designer.

Image: Courtesy of Paolo Sebastian. Couture Collection, designed by Paul Sebastian.

Modern fashion design is usually made the “modern way,” quickly, efficiently, and inexpensively. Even today’s couture labels are a far cry from what they used to be.

Paolo Sebastian’s designs are a stark contrast. They combine old-world artisan tailoring, with handmade construction and oodles of hand-applied embellishment.

Women wearing lavishly embroidered satin pale pink gowns, walk along a tree-lined path. Paul Sebastian, designer.

Image: Courtesy of Paolo Sebastian. Couture Collection, designed by Paul Sebastian.

The romantic gowns evoke old Hollywood glamour, with a beautiful contemporary edge.

Women wearing pale blue flowing gowns, with embroidery, beading and appliques, stand on a path, flanked by trees. Paul Sebastian, designer.

Image: Courtesy of Paolo Sebastian. Couture Collection, designed by Paul Sebastian.

Designer Paul Sebastian Vasileff is the founder and talent behind the Paolo Sebastian label. He began as a child prodigy fashion genius. He began private art lessons at age 3. His grandmother taught him to sew as a child in Adelaide, Australia.

Woman stands on the platform of an ancient ruin, wearing a pale pink gown, embellished with appliques and embroidery. Paul Sebastian Vasileff, designer.

Image: Courtesy of Paolo Sebastian. Spring - Summer Couture 2015/2016 Collection, designed by Paul Sebastian Vasileff.Image: Courtesy of Paolo Sebastian. Couture Collection, designed by Paul Sebastian.

By age 11, Vasileff designed his first outfit, making it for one of his young friends.

Woman in see-through gown, with lavish beading and embroidery, stands inside an ancient stone castle. Haute Couture designed by Paul Sebastian.

Image: Courtesy of Paolo Sebastian. Couture Collection, designed by Paul Sebastian.

By age 17, while still a senior in high school, Vasileff launched the Paolo Sebastian label with his first runway show. It featured 63 designs. His dedication to detail was already evident. He won a scholarship to Milan’s Istituto Europe di Design in 2010.

Woman wears pale pink gown and cape, as she stands in front of a chateau and canal on a cold gray cloudy day. Haute couture ensemble designed by Paul Sebastian.

Image: Courtesy of Paolo Sebastian. Couture Collection, designed by Paul Sebastian.

Now the Paolo Sebastian atelier launches two couture collections each year. His runway shows often sell out.

Woman in elegant blush colored gown with flutter capelet sleeves leans against an old stone bridge on a cloudy day. Part of couture collection designed by Paul Sebastian.

Image: Courtesy of Paolo Sebastian. Couture Collection, designed by Paul Sebastian.

Each gown is handmade in South Australia. Opulent silks, French lace, delicate hand beading, applique work, and embroideries are all signatures of the designs.

Woman in romantic gown, with full tulle skirt, stands in front of an ancient building covered in vines. Paul Sebastian, designer.

Image: Courtesy of Paolo Sebastian. Couture Collection, designed by Paul Sebastian.

Tailored boning, paired with flowing fabrics, make for romantic silhouettes, evoking fairytale legends, with elevated sophistication.

Sleeveless gowns, with intricate beadwork, are modeled by two women as they stand in front of tall trees. Paul Sebastian, designer.

Image: Courtesy of Paolo Sebastian. Couture Collection, designed by Paul Sebastian.

Once the gown is made, the labor of love continues. Each client receives meticulous consultation and numerous personal fittings.

Women in beaded gowns and capes stand in the forest. Paul Sebastian designer.

Image: Courtesy of Paolo Sebastian. Couture Collection, designed by Paul Sebastian.

You may have seen Paolo Sebastian gowns on runways and red-carpets, as they’ve graced celebrities at the Academy, Grammy and Emmy awards shows. And if you get a chance to see one up close, or better yet, wear one, the labor of love will touch you, grab you, and you will fall in love with its beauty.

Women in romantic white gown decorated with white floral appliques, stand inside an ancient castle ruin. Paul Sebastian, designer.

Image: Courtesy of Paolo Sebastian. Couture Collection, designed by Paul Sebastian.

Read more about Beautiful Labors all this week on BeautifulNow, And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Wellness, Impact, Nature/Science, Food, Arts/Design, and Travel, Daily Fix posts.

Women in pink gowns, encrusted with elaborate beading, stand with trees. Designed by Paul Sebastian.

Image: Courtesy of Paolo Sebastian. Couture Collection, designed by Paul Sebastian.

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Woman in white gown with black velvet ribbon walks through the woods. Designed by Paul Sebastian.

Image: Courtesy of Paolo Sebastian. Couture Collection, designed by Paul Sebastian.

All images are courtesy of Paolo Sebastian. Couture Collection, designed by Paul Sebastian.