Paolo Sebastian designer Paul Vasileff is engaged to girlfriend Anna Frangiosa

Known the world over for his wedding and red-carpet dresses, this leading SA designer is now engaged. You can bet there’s a stunning bridal gown on the way.

Famous for designing dream wedding dresses, Paolo Sebastian’s Paul Vasileff is preparing to create the bridal gown of his career – for his fiancee Anna Frangiosa.

Announcing their engagement in The Advertiser, Vasileff, 31, proposed to Ms Frangiosa, 30, on Saturday afternoon. He presented her with a 1.01 carat solitaire diamond ring from JW Jewellery.

The stunning 1.01 carat solitaire diamond engagement ring. Picture: Paul Vasileff

Earlier that day, Vasileff had asked his girlfriend of two years to wear a dress from his “The Passage of Spring” collection with custom-made heels and be ready by 1pm.

Anna and Paul on the red carpet. Picture: Kelly Carpenter

Paul and Anna wearing a Paolo Sebastian gown in Veale Gardens. Picture: Paul Vasileff

He whisked her away to a surprise “picnic” at Veale Gardens.

“I was nervous, so I got down on one knee before we even sat down to eat,” said Vasileff, who took along a camera and tripod to take official portraits.

Paul Vasileff and Anna Frangiosa are engaged. Pictures: Paul Vasileff

Vasileff said selecting Ms Frangiosa’s engagement ring was a simple process because he knew her preference for its classic style. Designing her bridal gown would be much more challenging, he said.

“Anna has always said that she will leave it totally up to me … but I have plenty of time.”

With a summer wedding planned for late next year or early 2023, Vasileff said he had worked out how to honour the tradition of not seeing his bride in her dress before the big day.

“I will not be there for the final fitting,” he said.

A retrospective display of Paolo Sebastian gowns will be on show in Rundle Mall during the Vogue Festival, October 8 – 10.