Introducing Gallello Atelier: The couturier loved by Norwegians

In a relentlessly fast-paced industry constantly craving the next new thing, Gallello Atelier offers a breath of old-world glamour, reviving the exquisite craftsmanship of garment-making from a bygone era. With impeccable made-to-measure pieces that exude timeless elegance and sophistication, embracing polished, feminine silhouettes, the Venice-based couturier has cultivated a devoted and loyal customer base, particularly among Norwegians, who represent a significant portion of the brand’s clientele.

While the label, founded by American Stacey Gallello, launched just under a year ago, its artistic heritage harks back to the 1950s, when Stacey’s grandfather, Dominic Gallello, worked as a pattern cutter for Christian Dior himself. “I inherited his [Dominic’s] archives, which had been overlooked for the past 20 or 30 years,” Stacey explains. “These included his patterns, 28 sketches of designs he had made for Dior during that time, and the samples he created.” Initially, Stacey, who had forged an impressive career in tech, intended to bring Dominic’s work to her tailor to recreate something unique for herself. However, when the tailor delved into Dominic’s archives, it sparked a revelation.

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“She said, ‘Stacey, this is like the golden age of what we do, and clothes just aren’t made this way anymore,’” Stacey recalls. The tailor introduced Stacey to Antonella, a Venetian pattern cutter, with whom Stacey began exploring Dominic’s techniques, bringing his unearthed designs to life. Although a luxury consumer herself, Stacey had no idea of the vast shift that had occurred in the high-end fashion world. “I learned that most of the artisans who still practise these techniques are approaching retirement,” she says. “So it’s very much a dying craft, and it’s really hard to find makers these days, given the rise of ready-to-wear, which is mass manufactured.”

Noticing a gap in bespoke tailoring for women that harness these classic techniques, Gallello Atelier was born. “I also created the brand to be an advocate for the artisan and to ensure that they can continue to exist in the modern landscape of fashion today,” Stacey adds. Infusing the refined spirit of the 1950s in every step, Gallello Atelier organises salon presentations where clients can marvel at the garments, meet the Venetian tailors (a crucial element for the brand), and have their measurements taken. Meanwhile, the brand’s collections take their cues from some of the most iconic films of the decade, such as the 1955 rom-com Sabrina starring Audrey Hepburn, which inspired ‘La Collezione Elena,’ and To Catch a Thief with Grace Kelly, which influenced the latest line-up, ‘The Gilded Summer.’

This allure of nostalgia is what, according to Stacey, has drawn in Gallello Atelier’s Norwegian fans, including some of our favourite tastemakers like Rikke Krefting. Although the brand hasn’t held a salon in Oslo yet, word spread quickly around town, with more clients flying in from the Norwegian capital to dream up their custom pieces. “I think it’s a mix of the nostalgia, the craftsmanship, and the clean, sophisticated aesthetic that represents the region… I always go back to discreet elegance, and I think that the Scandinavian client exemplifies that,” Stacey says. “And they really have that appreciation for the brand’s history as well.”

Although Gallello Atelier is a young brand, Stacey says the response has been very positive. As consumers become more mindful of their spending and with sustainable options gaining appeal, made-to-order pieces like those from Gallello Atelier are seeing a rise in popularity. Utilising the finest natural materials such as virgin wool, cashmere, organic cotton, and silk, each creation is hand-crafted to stand the test of time. Additionally, Gallello Atelier offers lifetime complimentary alterations, with each garment sewn with a seam allowance to accommodate future adjustments. This ensures that clients can cherish their investment pieces for years to come and even pass them down through generations.

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As the couturier embarks on acquiring more customers in the Nordics and beyond, Stacey yearns to curate a tight-knit and private community rather than scaling up production volume. One of the biggest lessons Dominic gained from Dior was the utmost respect for the pattern makers and tailors who worked for him and the importance of a close relationship between the designer and the artisan – a principle that Gallello Atelier continues to nurture. “We’re thrilled with where we are right now and what’s to come,” Stacey beams. “What excites us every day is our clients’ passion for the craftsmanship and what we make, allowing us to create even more special products.”