Think of Marchesa and instantly visions of celebrities in stunning beaded and sculpted gowns walking the red carpet come to mind. It’s a brand known for its glamorous ensembles fit for the Oscars or $1,000-a-plate galas, not so much for parties at your friend’s loft — that is, until now.
Last week, cofounders Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig debuted Marchesa Voyage — a new diffusion line of printed dresses, slouchy lounge pants and flowy blouses that range in price from $260 to $1,000.
“It’s really about taking the essence of Marchesa with more relaxed easy pieces,” Craig said at a preview for the new collection at the Gramercy Park Hotel.
“It’s about a global-minded woman, whether she’s traveling on a plane to an exotic place or whether she is just going to the office.”
“Voyage is something Keren and I always wanted to do since the birth of Marchesa,” added Chapman. “We’ve always seen it as this lifestyle brand.”
Mostly done by hand in the Marchesa studio, the patterns and embellishments — paisley and animal prints, gold embroidery, panels of lace — give the collection a luxe bohemian vibe.
So who’s the hippie between the two?
“I think we both are,” laughed Chapman, who said the duo were traveling in India when they dreamed up Marchesa. “We’re very drawn to that sort of eclectic inspiration. Everything you see in the Voyage line encapsulates what we want to wear during the days.”
And that can be anything, from “relaxed trousers and a top,” Craig said, or “a dress like Georgina is wearing,” pointing out the black shift with sparkling sequins on Chapman: “Maybe you want to go dancing in the evening and you don’t have time to change.”
A packed day ending with a night of bubbly: Sounds about right for us.
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