AP News, September 6th, 2007
Marchesa, a label that has quickly become a big player on the red carpet, went for drama at the preview of its spring collection Wednesday during New York Fashion Week.
The presentation was held at the Chelsea Art Museum, and socialites, editors, buyers and stylists had to wend their way through a maze of white curtains to see vignettes of elaborate eveningwear.
"That's a goddess dress," gushed Candy Pratts Price, executive fashion editor at Style.com, when she spotted a long, black, lace-and-tulle slipdress with embroidery, an ivory underlay and ribbon detail at the empire waist.
A strapless gown made of tulle and covered with gold embroidery was equally impressive, maintaining an appearance of delicacy under a hefty amount of metal. "It's a fantastic gold plume dress," Pratts Price said.
She also noted a group of Indian-inspired outfits that were decorated with gold applique details. Many of the colors in the collection also seemed rooted in the spices of the region, including lemongrass and saffron.
However, one of the most noteworthy gowns was a magenta strapless gown that mimicked an unfurling flower, with uneven petals of fabric. The gown surely would be stunning on one of Keren Craig and Georgina Champman's starlet fans, but one has to wonder how that wearer would ever be able to sit.
Other dresses appeared to be courting a tougher chick than Marchesa's typical customer, especially some form-fitting shorter dresses with mirrored beads and strategically placed cutouts.
"Marchesa's spring 2008 collection examines the British Raja and the resulting fusion of two opposing cultures," the designers explained in their inspiration notes. "Victorian romance merged with Indian tradition and sensuality."
