Marchesa: Britain’s Finest

The difference between reality and fantasy is the fact that fantasy will take your mind far beyond your imagination and reality is what’s taking place presently. Marchesa gowns were once referred to as a gown suited for Disney princesses and not for real women. But in reality Marchesa gowns are made for real women to feel like a princess.

“The only designer that really makes you feel like a princess is Marchesa”-Vogue

Marchesa is an eccentric womenswear collection created by English fashion designer and actress Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig, a British model. In 2004 Actress Rene Zellwger introduced the world to Marchesa at her “Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason,” premiere in London. Rene wore Marchesa’s embellished red bandeau sari dress, which had bloggers and stylist racing to the Internet to discover who created the breathtaking masterpiece. Within weeks Georgina and Keren were receiving calls from A-List celebrities like: Halle Berry, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, and Eva Longoria all requesting spectacular show stopper gowns. Sandra Bullock wore a Marchesa piece at the 2010 Academy Awards when she took home the “Best Actress Award” for the film The Blind Side. Sandra’s Marchesa silver beaded column gown with embroidered illusion bodice received Huffington Post’s Best-Dress Award.

Marchesa gowns are in great demand when it comes to making a statement on the red carpet. Georgina and Keren’s designs are spectacular, both designers think outside of the box and refuse to stay confided to one particular method. For their 2013 Resort collection Keren was inspired by English gardens.

“I love fantasy, and I have this romance notion that all women want to be beautiful,” says Chapman.

Marchesa gowns contain different kinds of fabric such as silk tulle, lace, leather, horsehair, or embellishing a floral pattern with twinkling crystal, Georgina and Keren designs are works of a couturier architect.

Marchesa’s Runway show displays “A Living work of Art,” we know Georgina and Keren can design some BAD gowns, but what is their story behind the fame and glory. After graduating from college, Georgina pursued a career as a costume designer for female wrestlers, while Keren focused on print design. Georgina’s background in costume design paired with Keren’s print and embroidery skills became a match made in fashion heaven. The fashion duo had the talent, but two very important pieces to the puzzle were missing: a name for the company and what category of fashion the collection would fall under. Both Georgina and Keren admired fashion icon Marchesa Luisa Casati, Europe’s most notorious celebrity, and its most eccentric.

Casati was an exotic Italian heiress who wore real snakes around her neck stating “I want to be a living work of art,” which is what Georgina and Keren wanted their collection to resemble. The fashion duo agreed that Marchesa was the appropriate name for their company, since Marchesa Luisa Casati inspired them. After naming their company the duo discussed the possibility of a glamorous- loungewear collection, but someone rescued Georgina and Keren from settling for less (Vogue, Magic Kingdom). The Marchesa collection made its first appearance during the 2004 Paris Fashion Week, as a backless corset dress on English fashion mogul Isabella Blow. Marchesa is no longer a fantasy; Marchesa becomes a reality over night. Marchesa’s Red Carpet “must haves” almost did not happen. Blow convinced the duo to create a glamorous-eveningwear collection. She gave Georgina and Keren the extra push that they needed to create beautiful masterpieces. Although Blow believed in Marchesa, some fashion critics doubted their longevity.

“When you see her beautiful work, you feel like you’re witnessing a craft that doesn’t exist any longer,” says Actress Blake Lively.” Marchesa is not only a glamorous gowns, the company just launched a bridal collection in which Actress/Designer Nicole Richie and Gossip Girl’s Blake Lively. Blake wore a hand-draped silk tulle bodice adorned with custom crystal and rose gold embroidery, which is similar to the Marchesa Spring/Summer 2013 collection. Marchesa has collaborated with Lenox, best known for their fine china and home décor, to create a dinnerware collection. The future for Marchesa is endless and we cannot wait to see what is next.

-Kenyetta Rhodes