Paolina Russo

Founded in 2020 by Canadian designer Paolina Russo and co-creative Lucile Guilmard, London-based Paolina Russo is a fearless exploration of craft, nostalgia, and innovation. Russo’s journey began in her hometown of Markham, Ontario, where she transformed repurposed sporting equipment into hand-crocheted collages — a practice that still informs the brand’s experimental approach to textiles. Meeting Lucile Guilmard at CSM, the pair discovered their shared design principles and appreciation of traditional clothes-making techniques. Driven by a spirit of resourcefulness combined with sharp technical precision, Paolina Russo interprets its own version of adolescence that is at once artisanal and futuristic.

Paolina Russo’s aesthetic is rooted in contrasts: heritage craft techniques reimagined through unconventional materials, jarring colour combinations, and sculptural silhouettes. Each piece taps into the brashness of youth — think sports kits and DIY art projects — while embracing sustainability and considered craftsmanship at every stage. The designers’ commitment to transparency and community is evident in their hands-on development process, often documented on social media to celebrate the many makers behind each garment. In the words of Guilmard, “we want to make sure that this remains a human story, with human hands.”

Signature styles fuse corsetry-inspired construction with experimental knitwear, creating a visual language that feels like folklore rewritten for the future. Upcycled fibres, intricate crochet, and vibrant motifs define collections in a medley of perfected chaos. For Paolina Russo, it's clear, fashion is a human story told through craft, colour, and unbridled creativity.

Paolina Russo, now available to shop at END.