Yasmin Abdallah is an Australian fashion entrepreneur best known professionally as Yasmin Sewell. She built a successful career in the international fashion industry, working with major retailers such as Browns, Liberty London, and Farfetch. Later, she founded Vyrao, a fragrance and wellbeing brand that reflects her interest in creativity, scent, and personal wellbeing.
Yasmin also attracted public attention through her brief marriage to British actor Rufus Sewell in 1999. However, her professional achievements extend far beyond her connection to the actor. Her journey from Australia to London’s fashion industry demonstrates her ability to recognize emerging designers and develop creative business ideas.
Who is Yasmin Abdallah ? A brief biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Yasmin Abdallah |
| Professional Name | Yasmin Sewell |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Birthplace | Sydney, Australia |
| Profession | Fashion Entrepreneur and Creative Director |
| Industry | Fashion and Beauty |
| Known For | Fashion career and founding Vyrao |
| Business | Vyrao |
| Business Founded | 2021 |
| Former Husband | Rufus Sewell |
| Marriage Year | 1999 |
| Divorce Year | 2000 |
| Previous Business | Yasmin Cho Boutique |
| Professional Experience | Fashion Buying, Creative Consulting and Retail |
Who Is Yasmin Abdallah?
Yasmin Abdallah is an Australian-born fashion professional who became widely known as Yasmin Sewell. She arrived in London from Australia in 1996 and soon established herself within the city’s fashion community. Her early work demonstrated a strong interest in discovering independent designers and introducing fresh ideas to the retail industry.
Rather than following traditional fashion trends, Yasmin developed a reputation for recognizing creative talent before it reached mainstream popularity. Her work eventually opened opportunities with some of Britain’s most respected fashion retailers. Today, she is also known as the founder of Vyrao.
Yasmin Abdallah’s Early Life and Background
Yasmin grew up in Maroubra, a beachside suburb of Sydney, Australia. She comes from a Lebanese-Australian family, and her childhood surroundings helped shape her connection with nature and creative expression.
She moved to London in 1996 to pursue opportunities in fashion. At the time, the city offered an exciting environment for independent designers, creative businesses, and emerging fashion talent. This move became an important turning point in her professional life.
Yasmin Abdallah’s Fashion Career
Yasmin began building her reputation through fashion retail and buying. In the late 1990s, she opened a boutique called Yasmin Cho in London’s Soho district. The store attracted attention for its carefully selected collections and support for emerging designers, including Rick Owens.
Her ability to recognize new talent helped her gain opportunities with established fashion businesses. She later worked with Browns and Liberty London, where she contributed to buying strategies, creative direction, and the introduction of innovative designers.
Her Work at Browns and Liberty London
Browns played an important role in Yasmin’s professional development. She worked with the retailer’s buying team and helped introduce exciting new names to the British fashion market. Her selections reflected an interest in original designs rather than simply following established trends.
At Liberty London, Yasmin took on a senior creative role and helped refresh the retailer’s fashion direction. She supported emerging designers and contributed to the store’s modern identity. Her work strengthened her reputation as an influential fashion buyer and creative leader.
Her Role at Farfetch and Style.com
Yasmin continued her career through several international fashion opportunities. She worked as fashion director at Style.com and later joined Farfetch as vice president of style and creative. These positions allowed her to combine fashion knowledge with digital retail and creative business development.
At Farfetch, she helped shape the platform’s creative direction and fashion presentation. However, she eventually decided to step away from her major fashion role in 2018. This decision gave her time to explore personal interests and consider a different business direction.
Yasmin Abdallah and Rufus Sewell’s Marriage
Yasmin Abdallah also became known through her relationship with British actor Rufus Sewell. The couple married in 1999, but their relationship ended in divorce in 2000. Their marriage lasted a relatively short time, and Yasmin later continued developing her own professional identity.
Rufus Sewell is known for his work in films and television, including The Illusionist, A Knight’s Tale, and the Netflix series The Diplomat. Although their marriage attracted public interest, Yasmin’s fashion career developed independently of the relationship.
Yasmin Abdallah’s Family and Personal Life
Yasmin generally keeps her family life away from unnecessary media attention. After her marriage to Rufus Sewell ended, she continued building her career and eventually established a family life with her later husband, Kyle Robinson.
She has also spoken publicly about motherhood and the importance of balancing family responsibilities with professional ambitions. However, she does not share every detail of her children’s lives, maintaining a reasonable boundary between her public career and private family matters.
What Is Vyrao? Yasmin Abdallah’s Business Today
After leaving her major fashion role in 2018, Yasmin began exploring a business idea that combined her interest in wellbeing with her creative experience. This journey eventually led to the creation of Vyrao, a fragrance and wellbeing brand that launched in 2021.
Vyrao focuses on personal fragrances and sensory experiences. The brand combines traditional perfumery with ideas about mood, emotion, colour, and energy. Yasmin wanted to create products that offered more than an attractive scent and encouraged people to make fragrance part of their personal routines.
The Inspiration Behind Vyrao
Yasmin has long explored holistic practices, including Reiki and other approaches to personal wellbeing. These interests influenced her vision for Vyrao and encouraged her to connect fragrance with emotional experiences.
The brand works with experienced perfumers to develop its products. Its collections also reflect Yasmin’s interest in colour, design, and sensory expression. Through Vyrao, she has brought together her experience in fashion, branding, and entrepreneurship.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Yasmin Abdallah?
Yasmin Abdallah, professionally known as Yasmin Sewell, is an Australian fashion entrepreneur and the founder of the fragrance brand Vyrao.
2. Was Yasmin Abdallah married to Rufus Sewell?
Yes. Yasmin married British actor Rufus Sewell in 1999. They divorced in 2000.
3. What is Yasmin Abdallah famous for?
She is known for her influential fashion career, work with Browns and Liberty London, her role at Farfetch, and founding Vyrao.
4. What is Yasmin Abdallah’s business?
Yasmin founded Vyrao in 2021. The brand creates fragrances and other products inspired by sensory wellbeing.
5. Where is Yasmin Abdallah now?
Yasmin continues her work in the fragrance and wellbeing industry through Vyrao. She has also maintained connections with the international fashion community.
Conclusion
Yasmin Abdallah has built a career that goes well beyond her former marriage to actor Rufus Sewell. Known professionally as Yasmin Sewell, she developed a strong reputation in fashion through her work with Browns, Liberty London, Style.com, and Farfetch.
Her decision to establish Vyrao in 2021 marked a new chapter in her professional journey. By combining fashion experience with an interest in fragrance and wellbeing, she created a business with its own creative identity. Her story highlights how professional experience, curiosity, and the willingness to explore new opportunities can lead to a successful career change.
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