Blake Lively, Rihanna, and Selena Gomez have all worn Marchesa on the red carpet – and now you can, too. The brand, known for its dreamy eveningwear and show-stopping handmade gowns, opened its first stand-alone boutique in the world in Dubai Mall’s Fashion Avenue on December 28 with the official ribbon being cut in Spring 2017 and the brand is doing two shows at Arab Fashion Week 2017. “Marchesa has such a strong presence in the Middle East and we’re excited to have a space where clients can experience our brand first-hand,” co-founder and designer Georgina Chapman tells Vogue Arabia.
Georgina Chapman of Marchesa. Courtesy of Marchesa
Marchesa was launched in 2004 by Chapman and her friend and fellow Chelsea College of Arts graduate Keren Craig, to immediate success with the celebrity set. Their flowy, embellished gowns dazzled on the red carpet, with A-listers Renée Zellweger and Cate Blanchett being firm fans. “The Marchesa woman is confident and glamorous, but she doesn’t follow trends,” Chapman says. “She is elegant, bold and loves to travel. Our collections are influenced by the sense of adventure and excitement that comes from travel.” Case in point? Its Fall 2017 collection, which was inspired by the “exquisite intricacies” of Imperial China, with its influence being seen in the choice of color, embroidery, and textiles.
Co-founders and designers Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig of Marchesa. Courtesy of Marchesa
As part of its Middle Eastern debut, the New York-based brand will be the guest of honor at this year’s Arab Fashion Week, which kicks off on May 16. Marchesa will showcase two collections: ready-to-wear on May 16th and bridal on May 20th. Showgoers will be the first to see Marchesa’s Fall 2017 couture and bridal collections, as well as dresses designed exclusively for the Middle East. “A wedding is such a significant moment in a woman’s life,” Chapman says. “That’s why we truly relish the design process of our bridal collection.” The duo has also designed kaftan styles specifically for the region, with bold colors and intricate embroidery and embellishment perfect for Ramadan.
“Middle Eastern women look for exquisite pieces; something that makes them look extravagant and chic,” Chapman says. “It’s important that her look is unique and makes a statement. Marchesa caters to her taste with our kaftans and heavily embroidered pieces with unexpected details.”
Apart from the brand’s signature megawatt gowns, the new Marchesa boutique – which is modeled on a sophisticated 1940s Paris apartment – also stocks seasonal couture and the Marchesa Notte collection, both of which include feminine and elegant separates.
The Marchesa store is located in The Dubai Mall, Fashion Avenue, 1st Floor. Lead image: Marchesa Spring 2017. Getty
