How Adele's Custom Michael Fausto Gown Came to Life for Her Vegas Residency

The final look reflects her greatest hits.

Since the start of Weekends With Adele in November 2022, the question on everyone's mind has been, Who will she wear next? Adele’s wildly lucrative, perpetually sold-out Las Vegas residency inside The Colosseum at Caesars Palace has seen the Grammy winner wearing scrumptious Valentino, Givenchy, and Schiaparelli designs onstage. Designer Michael Fausto never imagined that he'd be tapped as one of the legendary fashion houses to dress the star, but that's exactly what happened for Weekend 39 of the singer's hit show.

In August 2023, Fausto, who since launching his eponymous line in 2019 has worked with celebrities like Carrie Underwood and Allison Janney, received a cryptic note from stylist Jamie Mizrahi’s team about the possibility of designing a custom look for one of her clients, a roster that includes Adele, Jennifer Lawrence, and Riley Keough.

“When I [eventually] saw the name Adele in the subject of their subsequent email, I was verklempt,” Fausto says. “Truthfully, as an emerging designer, I was a bit skeptical of the opportunity, given the prominent designers dressing her week after week.” So what compelled Mizrahi to think of Fausto? The otherworldly princess gown he created for Halle Bailey’s performance of “Part of Your World” on American Idol. Fausto says, “They were [then] excited to connect.”

“Immediately, I began sketching designs and sourcing fabrics that would not only give the movement and drama needed for such a performance but also align with Adele’s personal style,” Fausto says of his creative process. “Having previously designed for televised productions and red carpets, from Laverne Cox at the SAG Awards to Real Housewives confessionals, I understand the high impact these pieces must express, as well as the needed functionality of the garment. Shortly after submitting my designs, I was informed of the styles they were interested in proceeding with.”

Fausto waited with bated breath for an update, and on Valentine’s Day of this year, he received confirmation that Adele would indeed wear his custom gown on February 16 and 17 for her residency. Below, Fausto offers a closer look at his dream come true.

The Inspiration

"The custom dress is meant to be a romantic ode to the compelling and textured love stories woven throughout Adele's music. It was important for me that this dress mirrors the depth in her songs and represents the modern heroine I design for."

All in the Details

"By layering various forms of silk, which were trimmed with mercurial charmeuse flounces, the billowing fairytale-like sleeves gave a strong contrast to the fitted crepe bodice and trumpet skirt. Anchoring the romance and modernity of the gown is an embossed silk charmeuse flower with hand-sewn crystals."

The Sketching Stage

"The Italian crepe gown, with a halter neckline and trumpet skirt, is complemented by a mille-feuille of ruffling fabrics across the dramatic, off-the-shoulder bishop sleeve."

Florals, Baby

"Waves of double-faced silk charmeuse emerge from a crystal-embellished flower along the neckline and flow into multiple panels of silk georgette and tulle, hand-pieced together throughout the sleeve."

Work in Process

"Working from the design side of the fashion industry, it is commonly understood that nothing is guaranteed, and in regards to creating custom celebrity pieces, you are often left anxiously waiting and hoping that this moment you have worked for will come to fruition."

A Little Help from Mother

"After completing and sending this gown to Adele’s team, over the ensuing months, my southern Italian mother would often pray over the original illustration I submitted, which she decided would be best positioned opposite a painting of Saint Francis of Assisi. "

"Set Fire to the Rain"

"Serendipitously, on Valentine’s Day, the prayers were answered, and I received confirmation that Adele would be wearing the gown for Weekend 39 of her residency."

The Final Look

"Being a lifelong romantic, Adele’s music has always resonated with me. I remember when I had just received my driver's license in high school, and for months, I would blast 'Someone Like You,” driving home and creating melodramas in my head."

Stage Presence

"Years later, I would actually cross paths with her while out with my boyfriend at Club Cumming in New York. We couldn’t believe that Adele was in this tiny bar in Alphabet City, but sure enough, the next morning, we saw the headlines stating Jennifer Lawrence and Adele had a night on the town, hopping between local gay bars. While in retrospect, I wish I had said hello, I suppose dressing her for her Las Vegas residency is a better introduction."

A Dream Come True

"This opportunity to design for Adele is such a significant milestone in my career because it is about so much more than just the dress. It is about the woman she is, one of the few icons that can actually move the needle of public consciousness. Her music, talent, charisma, and humor cuts through barriers and resonates with a global audience. Adele wholly represents the modern heroine who I have always sought to design for."

Weekend With Adele continues through June 15, 2024.

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