Have a look at any red carpet fashion break down... go on, have a look... the Oscars, the Baftas, Golden Globes, openings, galas anything and you're bound to see the 'm' word at least twice, maybe three, even four times. It's the label now synonymous for ultra feminine, multi-layered, sculptured evening wear - Marchesa. Is there really any other label that does an out-of-this-world frock better? I'll be pushed to find one. Yes, Prada have gorgeous gowns and yes, Chanel do a lovely dress, but Marchesa's unique qualities leaves them on a branch of their own on the designer tree.
What qualities? you may ask. Well Georgina Chapman, one half of the amaze duo behind the label, once said: "I want the whole thing to be like a fairy tale. I wanted to have fantasy". And boy that's what she's created! Season after season, collection after collection, we are presented with the most fantastical pieces that ooze princess attributes; whimsical twists and turns, layers, draping, soft yet effective embellishment, chiffon that falls almost with a short feminine sigh and lace that creeps round and up the body like quizzical ivy.
Marchesa, as in the label, is genius. Marchesa, as in Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig, are utter artisans. The two college friends launched the label in 2004, first showed on the catwalks in 2006, and since then, I for one - and I don't even get to wear the clothes - have been in awe of their craftsmanship. They turn dress making into an origami art form. What they do with chiffon, ruffles, tulle, corsages and lace is nothing short of red carpet magic. That's what the stars think anyway... look, here are just a few snaps of celebs adorned in Marvellous Marchesa:
I want to say that from their spring summer 2007 show (their first) until now, autumn winter 2010, their fascinating and adored high fashion aesthetic hasn't changed much. This would be untrue. The duo's designing has evolved, maybe just a tad to some people, but to others in leaps and bounds. They have gone from simply a 'red-carpet label', clothes that look good in the flash lights of paparazzi bulbs, to a label that really has a strong identity of its own - especially on the catwalk. They tend not to follow trends as such. Their ready-to-wear gowns often have the feel of one-off couture pieces; if you're wearing one, you feel instantly special (so I'm told). That is exactly what makes the designers/label so popular. That, and the fact they have very much become masters of knowing what women want to wear to feel special; the shapes, textures, colours and paradoxical fabrics.
They are, by anyone's standards, at the top of the evening wear game. And they are British. How delicious! Fly the flag girls!
Spring 2007
Autumn 2007
Spring 2008
Autumn 2008
Spring 2009
Autumn 2009
Spring 2010
Above and below: Autumn 2010
The following three dresses are all available from from http://www.net-a-porter.com/. You BETTER get clicking, you simply can not go any further without one of these, espesh for the summer season! In order: £6,176, £4,630, £6,175.
