From a simple life, in 1974, he worked as a salesman in a fabric store in the center of Florianópolis. Soon after, seeking higher remuneration, he changed his job in commerce for the job of realtor.
At the age of 32, already married, and with his wife pregnant with their first child, Luhana Pawlick, he saw the need to increase the household income. He used his textile knowledge acquired as a fabric salesman and as a costume designer in the theater to start his career as a haute couture stylist.
Modest, using scraps of lace and fabric that he got from the shop where he worked, and with the help of his wife in the embroidery and cutting, he started making for friends and family. Creative and self-taught, in addition to being a perfectionist in the pieces he produced, interests and praise were reached at every ball and event he attended, forming and expanding his clientele through admirers of the pieces he produced.
No longer able to reconcile work in the real estate area and making garments, in 1979 he turned completely to sewing, relying on a small team of seamstresses, embroiderers and tailors.
With the increase in demand for his creations, driven by charisma and exceptional friendliness in service, and seriousness and dedication at work, his clothes reached the elite of Santa Catarina, and noticed by professionals and fashion critics. In 1982, his name already appeared as an icon of gala and prêt-à-porter clothing.
In 1985 he built the atelier of more than 400m², to found the brand that bears his name two years later. Over the years, Gesoni Pawlick became synonymous with good taste and refinement in Santa Catarina fashion, and was already gaining notoriety throughout Brazil, even conquering clients in some parts of Europe.
Bold, and with a team of ~50 people, in 2004 he opened the Gesoni Pawlick Store, an elegant and luxurious store where he sold and rented wedding and party dresses, as well as suits and tuxedos.
A visionary, in 2007 he accepted the partnership with Canatiba, proving that jeans could also be present at more refined parties. For a few years he created and made some collections of high fashion dresses using denim as the main fabric.
He established himself in Brazilian haute couture with exclusive bridal and debutante dresses embroidered in European crystals and high-end French, Italian and national lace appliqués. He had clients in the US, London, Italy, France and Singapore, in addition to clients who took his dresses to get married in other countries.
An icon of Brazilian haute couture, his commitment and dedication were recognized in magazines, newspapers, awards and mentions he received over the years, such as the Super Cap de Ouro trophy, Alan Braga in 95 and 2004, Melhores de SC 2004, Dress of the Year by Inesquecível Casamento, and many others, including abroad with the Dubai-inspired collection.
His luxurious and extremely good taste shows were marked by the boldness and impeccable finishing of the pieces, - a characteristic that made him give up the fashion week calendars -. He had top models Isabella Fiorentino, Gianne Albertoni and Ticiane Pinheiro in his casting, as well as Princess Paola of Orleans and Bragança, who closed the show for the renowned Elfos collection.
Gesoni said that the perfect dress was the one that dressed the soul, satisfied the desire and fulfilled the dream of women. He saw haute couture in Brazil in a broader sense, as a cultural connection between art, fashion and architecture, placing the female form at the center of this context.
He was one of the few designers who mastered every step of creating a dress, including designing most of her famous embroidery.
Her work was also different in terms of service, as she had a reduced number of appointments to make the dress: one to create and define the model, another for the first fitting where she used an adaptation of the moulage technique, and the third and last at the time of dress delivery; this characteristic, which is still present in the Pawlick brand until today.
Gesoni Pawlick passed away in May 2017, and left the legacy of a modern and unique Haute Couture - singular -, in addition to a legion of fans and clients throughout Brazil.
In 2018, the Gesoni Pawlick brand became just “Pawlick”, and continues with one of the most renowned brands in Brazil, having as creative director and Head Gesoni’s daughter who inspired this entire trajectory, Luhana Pawlick.
Gesoni Pawlick
Born in 1946 in the interior of Santa Catarina, Gesoni Pawlick moved to Florianópolis at the age of 13 and traveled a long way before reaching the top of Alta Moda in Brazil. Despite his humble childhood, he was always very cheerful and charismatic. Easy going, he made friends easily, which allowed him to meet upper class people in his youth, being able to learn and admire icons of painting and music. Pro-active and willing to work, he never lacked for employment or opportunities for his livelihood.
- Gesoni Pawlick
