Image: Paolo Sebastian
Adelaide-born fashion house Paolo Sebastian has once again amazed with its iconic whimsical, elegant and intricate designs, this time creating bespoke pieces for a unique and significant moment in fashion history.
Ostrich feathers woven between leaves of silver embroidery adorned a wide opera coat, while a cashmere jacket dressed in perfectly placed matelassé yarn and beads sat next to it, elegantly draped over two members of the Australian musical quartet, Cub Sport.
The couple were attending the opening night of the National Gallery of Victoria’s new exhibition, QUEER: Stories from the NGV Collection. An exhibition that encompasses queerness as it is understood, experienced and expressed in art, both now and throughout history.
Designer and creative director, Paul Vasileff, was commissioned by American Express, long-standing allies of the LGBTQI+ community, to create couture for the evening with his inspiration drawn from the romanticism of Shakespearean lovers, Romeo and Juliet.
However, Paul took a more personalized approach to his designs, focusing on the people he was dressing rather than the gender-oriented roles dictated by the love story. The lovers themselves, Cub Sport’s Sam Netterfield and Tim Nelson, brought the designs to life at the unveiling and the couple expressed their feeling of being a part of such a special moment.
“We are deeply moved and inspired by the Queer exhibition and its aim to explore the NGV Collection through a queer lens,” says Paul.
“The concept of star-crossed lovers has long been tied to heteronormativity. We wanted to dissolve this ideology and celebrate the lovers whose stories have too often not been told or accepted.
“What was also interesting about these plays back then was that even the female characters were played by men. We liked the idea of taking these medieval renaissance-inspired costumes and putting Paolo Sebastian’s lens on them.”
After years of hiding their relationship and feeling the shame that often surrounds same-sex couples, Sam and Tim were thrilled to be a part of such a special moment. Paul was also extremely honored to be able to work with the couple.
“It was amazing collaborating with Tim and Sam on this project and getting to know them and
his music,” he says.
“His story is a perfect example of two paths destined from a young age and overcoming adversity to get there.”
Working from his workshop here in Adelaide, Paul and his team created the vision through many Zoom meetings with the musicians to create pieces that really articulated their personalities.
The first piece, designed for Netterfield, was a fully embellished wool cashmere coat and beaded French tulle tunic shirt. An eye-catching detail on the back featured a heart, raven and dagger emblem along with the embroidered quote, “a rose by any other name,” a direct nod to Shakespeare’s famous play.
Nelson wore a godet shirtdress with flocked hailstone detail, embroidered trousers and a striking 3D silk organza flower Opera coat with ostrich feathers and crystal beads. On the shirt dress were more embroidered quotes, this time featuring prominent lyrics from Cub Sport’s music. Both looks were completed with custom-made black knee-high boots by Rossi Boots.
Within the exhibition, 400 works of art look at the collection within the NGV with a queer lens from ancient to contemporary art. Rather than a history of queer art, it’s a deeper look at art throughout the centuries and at the queer stories art can tell.
For more information about the exhibition, visit the NGV website or follow Paolo Sebastian on Facebook and Instagram.
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Source: glamadelaide.com.au