British-born Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig established their company, Marchesa, in 2004. They have since built a successful fashion domain known for red-carpet, elegant and stunningly chic eveningwear, as well as their one of a kind couture creations. Together, they have a synergy that is the envy of the fashion industry. “We both have separate skills that truly complement each other. I trained as a fashion and textile designer. I design the embroideries, and Georgina is a master in draping. We are focused on bringing a couture-level hand-craftsmanship to our collections”, Keren Craig shared with azureazure.com during Marchesa’s recent couture trunk show at Neiman Marcus Bal Harbour.
Keren Craig.
Both designers have been spending quite some time on the trunk show circuit, focusing on how they can meet their client’s needs for special pieces. Keren Craig made the special appearance in South Florida, while her design partner, Georgina, was appearing in another city. And special is the Fall 2015 Collection–a decadent showing of 1920’s and 30’s silhouettes: cocktail dresses with plunging necklines and fringe, intricately conceived tulle skirts; luxurious silks with decorative details of gold floral motifs; impressive organza pieces with embroideries of red poppy appliqués that brought 3D art to mind. The delicate, clear as crystal fabrics signaled an attitude of fragile yet fierce femininity.
“Marchesa is such a lifelong dream. I think I have been extremely lucky to have the opportunity to fulfill so many of the dreams I had growing up–to be a fashion designer and now to bring Marchesa to fruition (and, of course, to create the clothes I want to wear). We started a lifestyle brand. So in addition to our fashion collections, we are designing diamonds, china, evening bags, and we recently launched our fragrance Parfum D’Extase (‘the dream of the dress’). Every day something new & exciting”, continued Keren.
“New and exciting” does command an intense schedule. With three fashion lines in production, Marchesa; Marchesa Notte, and Voyage with about ten deliveries each a year; the handbags and tabletop, it is about three seasons. The St. Regis Resorts recently tapped the prolific duo as brand ambassadors for the luxury chain creating one of a kind bridal dresses that debut this spring. Review our selection of luxury fashion.
Keren credits her family of artists (both parents and grandparents) as the biggest influences in her life. She also gives credit to the namesake of their design house–Marchesa Luisa Casati, the scandalous belle époque fashionista.
In discussing ‘what’s next for Marchesa,’ she points out one of the “next’s” is in their newest collection: pants– evening, day—pants! “Most people do not realize we do pants, and we do them very well,” Keren said. Although the look is not entirely new, this season’s fancy pants are the freshest concept in eveningwear. Decadent fringed and embroidered (floor-length) tops were shown over sharply cut black trousers at Marchesa.
Luxury handbags are on the future agenda. “We have evening clutches, which we have been doing for a few years. We are planning to expand into day bags, as our clients want to wear a Marchesa bag for the day, and we are looking at “what is that bag”, explained Ms. Craig.
The designing duo continues to captivate both their loyal clientele and fashion followers alike with what they do best–beautifully balanced collections of red carpet and gala event gowns, always ensuing their striking workmanship. For a true Marchesa believer, there is no such thing as being too decked out! ■
