by Lotus Ladegaard
It is always a treat whenever Marchesa launches a new collection. The Prefall Collection is as exquisite, ethereal, luxurious and exciting as we have come to expect from the design duo. It is Haute Couture at its best.
Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig met at Chelsea College of Art and Design in London. Marrying Georgina Chapman's eye for draping and design with Keren Craig's textile creations was the perfect partnership and the two founded Marchesa in 2004. Marchesa is named after the Italian eccentric fashion icon and socialite and heiress Marchesa Luisa Casati, who is the duo's muse. Over the years, Marchesa has become a synonym for exquisite detailing with supreme femininity. Marchesa has a strong celebrity following and many has walked the red carpet wearing Marchesa. The brand features a handbag line, wedding dresses and dinnerware in collaboration with Lenox. Most recently the duo also launched a new fragrance. Marchesa's diffusion line is known as Notte by Marchesa. So it is safe to say that Marchesa has it's hand in many jars. And that can often be a distraction for the main brand. But Marchesa is above such frailty and its pre-fall collection is an excellent example of that.
Marchesa's Prefall Collection has an exquisite evening wear for any occasion including the red carpet. From light airy ethereal flowy dresses to satin ball gowns, draping, embellishments, 3D flowers, beautiful prints and then some.
The colour palette is kept in pastels, beige, blush, turquoise. A shocking pink / magenta adds that little something extra to the collection. The designs are classic yet modern and very relevant. Print, embellishments, 3D flowers and other effects have been utilised very thoughtfully and thus never overshadows any of the garments. Marchesa has always been great when it comes to knowing exactly how much or how little embellishments and design effects to use.
Marchesa's Pre-fall Collection is faultless. It is everything you want in an evening wear couture collection. From the blush dress with the golden embellishment to the big-print floral dress to the shocking pink ball gown, everything has been created with their signature eye for details both in design and print.
The golden dresses are absolutely fabulous. With plenty of embellishments and 3D effects, they will stand out at a red carpet event. The two black dresses are absolutely exquisite and will also do tremendously well editorially. The navy blue off-the-shoulder long dress is worth a double take. It is flattering to the female body and while the silhouette is classic, however, the raised illusion neckline adds a modern relevance to it. The collection is for the classic, feminine woman. In a world of androgyny the old normal is the new exception.
