Unbelievable its not mine.....: Notte by Marchesa

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Love for Marchesa

A while ago, I wrote about theatrics in fashion and raved about the beautiful dresses from Marchesa. Well, I'm writing again to swoon over Marchesa. This plum-colored Couture Silk Chiffon Gown ($4,840) from Marchesa's Fall '08 collection can be found on Bergdorf Goodman and it's HEAVENLY!!! If I can chose this for my wedding gown, I WOULD!!!

First of all, plum and berry (a.k.a. shapes of purple) are the must-have colors for this Fall. Rich, elegant, and oh-so-sophisticated, they are just as classic as the neutrals and much more exciting. Secondly, the lines on this dress are to die for. The skirt is shirred at just the right places under the bust to falter the waistline. The train, made of pure silk, is romantic and glamorous. The feather and floral appliqués on the strapless neckline is simply darling to the sight.

I'll have you recall the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike that spanned 2007-2008 and ended in February this year after the cancellation of the Vanity Fair Oscar party and significantly curtailed viewership of the Academy Awards itself. It's no wonder Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig (Marchesa's founders and designers) scaled back the number of red-carpet dresses this Fall. Their Fall '08 collection remains full of their usual glamor, with loose references to the play between power and femininity that can be found in their muse, Queen Elizabeth I. In this particular dress, we see the soft silk skirt and train showing absolute femininity, while the extra-structured appliqués gives off a sense of strict confidence.

Well, that's just the dress that can be bought. If you are curious, Marchesa's Resort '09 collection is out and you can give it a scan at Style.com. I have to warn you that it is much less exciting than their Fall collection. Fortunately, you will still find many gorgeous, albeit simple, pieces as Chapman and Craig apply an Egyptian theme to classically flattering designs.

By the way, please do not forget to check out Notte by Marchesa, the lower-end sister of Marchesa. At Bergdorf Goodman, I found this incredible Draped Chiffon Gown ($995) in red. We all need a red-hot dress just like that, don't you think?

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Theatrics in Fashion

Ever wonder what you could possibly wear if you had to attend a formal but fun party with the most fashionable movie stars? Pick items from fashion lines with a streak of theatrics as the main focus of your outfit. It will guarantee you a spot in the best dressed section of any magazine.

Shown on the left, Marchesa's Strapless dress, embroidered with swirl piping and beads ($5,445), is so intricate and special that it could be worn by the bride of a wedding in a once-in-a-lifetime-affair. Pair it with simple accessories for a modern chic. Never heard of Marchesa? The line is named after the eccentric European socialite Marchesa Luisa Casati. Launched in 2004 by British-born Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig (who were fresh grads out of fashion school at that time), Marchesa's glamorous dresses have graced the bodies of Scarlett Johansson, Mischa Barton, and Sienna Miller. If you can't afford Marchesa's prices, which goes upward from $3,000, check out Chapman and Craig's second line, Notte by Marchesa. Notte is more suited for making splashes at cocktail parties instead of the red carpet. Theatrical details are worked into more casual and vibrant dresses, and you'll be glad to know that Notte will be on sale on Gilt Groupe on Mon 6/2 at 12pm EST.

Then we have Christian Lacroix, who is so vocal about his passion for the theatre that his official website has a whole section devoted to showcase the inspiration he derived from each show that served as his muse. Lacroix made huge waves in fashion since early 1980s and received the "most influential designer" award in January 1987. The same year, he opened his couture house and in 1988, he started churning out ready-to-wear clothes, shoes, handbags, etc. On the right, his beaded T-strap pump (on sale at Neiman Marcus for $596) has the luxuriance and perfection that defines Lacroix's creations. If you are wearing a rather ordinary dress, this shoe will complete your outfit by bringing subdued sexiness and sizzling glamor to an otherwise lackluster palette. If you're in Taiwan, you can find this pair of shoes at the basement level of Sogo BR4.