Dress to Impress – Paolo Sebastian Designs Commemorative Gown for Adelaide Festival Centre 50th Anniversary

The one-of-a-kind couture gown by Paolo Sebastian designer Paul Vasileff, will be on display in the Festival Theatre foyer from June. As a lasting tribute, the gown will become a cherished addition to AFC’s beloved Performing Arts Collection. 

Adelaide Festival Centre 50th Anniversary commemorative design

AFC’s Performing Arts Collection was established in 1979 by Premier Don Dunstan with the aim to preserve, record and display the significant contributions artists have made on stage and behind-the-scenes. It also holds items of cultural importance.     

Since its inception, the Performing Arts Collection has evolved to become one of the most important and comprehensive performing arts collections in Australia and comprises over 100,000 objects.  

Items in the collection range from ephemeral (programmess and ticket stubs); to artworks (paintings and photography) design (costume renderings and set models) architecture (theatre fittings, furniture and décor) textiles (costumes and millinery) as well as archives and event files dating back to 1858.  

Committed to fostering collaboration and inclusivity, Adelaide Festival Centre celebrates art and artists in all forms and is proud to house the Performing Arts Collection. The invaluable resource can be accessed by appointment by practitioners, researchers, and anyone with a keen passion for the arts. 

Founder and head designer for Paolo Sebastian, Paul Vasileff: “I have taken inspiration from various elements of Adelaide Festival Centre. I looked at different iconography and found key parts that made the space unique. Such as, the original carpet design, the colour palette, and textures, I then translated these elements into the embroidery techniques to create this design.” 

Paul Vasileff – Photo by Daniel Purvis

Adelaide Festival Centre Performing Arts Collection Coordinator, Helen Trepa: “What better way to celebrate our 50th birthday than with a new dress! Since Don Dunstan dared to wear a turtleneck at the Festival Theatre’s opening in 1973 instead of the traditional tuxedo, opening night fashion has always been an important part of the theatre’s culture. Every thread and stitch of Paolo Sebastian’s stunning bespoke gown has been inspired by the history, architecture and colours of Adelaide Festival Centre. Paolo Sebastian’s gown is a unique acquisition for the Performing Arts Collection where we will forever immortalise one of South Australia’s most prestigious designers and the Festival Centre’s half a century birthday. You can see the gown on display in the Festival Theatre foyer along with many other special exhibitions pieces.”