fashionologie

Marchesa Confirms Plan For Contemporary Line

Christina Perez — Mon, 07 May 2012 08:12:51 PDT

It's official: Marchesa has teamed up with Li & Fung USA to launch a lower-priced diffusion line. Though plans are still in their infancy - and the new line has yet to be named - the brand confirms that the line will include printed and embroidered daywear, as well as accessories. All will be priced from $150 to $750, with a projected launch date of Pre-Fall 2012.

"We have always had a vision for Marchesa to be a lifestyle brand," Designer Georgina Chapman explained. "We have been so specific for such a long time, and the idea to broaden out to a different consumer, and to our same consumer as well." Chapman also added that she was "hoping Marchesa will have something to offer that is very different from what's on the floor at present."
At left, Siri Tollerod models a look from Marchesa Fall 2012.

Marchesa's Contemporary Label, Jean Paul Gaultier on Amy Winehouse, Gisele's Designer Niece

fashionologie — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:27:29 PDT

>> Those stories and more in our daily news roundup.

Marchesa is reportedly discussing creating a lower-priced contemporary label with Li & Fung, the global trading firm that recently signed on to help Vena Cava expand into new categories. Marchesa designers Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig already have a lower-priced line called Notte, which offers eveningwear. [Styleite]
Jean Paul Gaultier said he was surprised to be the only person in fashion who made an homage to the late Amy Winehouse after her death. "Her look was fabulous, fantastic - it was unique," he said. "Usually, actresses and singers need fashion advice. She naturally had the right make-up, the right earrings - it was truly a style." [The Cut]
Gisele Bundchen's 5-year-old niece Duda is already following in her aunt's footsteps, modeling and designing a line for the Brazilian children's wear company Brandili Mundi. "She told us about her preferences on prints, cuts and details, and based on the briefing we received from her we came up with a collaborative collection," said the brand's marketing director Germano Costa. [The Huffington Post]
Singer Nicki Minaj is developing a fragrance with Give Back Brands, the same charitable company that released Justin Bieber's perfume Someday last year. Proceeds from the sale of the fragrance will be donated to the charity of Minaj's choice. "I have always been a huge fan of great fragrances," she said. "This is yet another extension of my creative expression." [The Fashion Spot]
Heidi Klum bared everything for the May issue of Allure, posing naked for the cover and addressing topics ranging from her divorce to plastic surgery. "Everyone has a view of what's not pretty and [surgery] just doesn't look pretty to me," she said. [Fashion Etc.]

Photo: The finale of Marchesa's Fall 2012 runway show.

The 6 Chicest Looks From Last Night's State Dinner

fashionologie — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:33:54 PDT

>> Official government parties might not be the first place to look for style inspiration, but Michelle Obama, Anna Wintour, and the other women who attended the White House's state dinner for British Prime Minister David Cameron looked ultra chic last night.

To wit: the first lady dressed up in a deep blue custom Marchesa gown - and she thanked the fashion house by way of inviting designer Georgina Chapman, who wore a sparkly pale blue dress of her own design. Meanwhile, Samantha Cameron wore a stunning lace-covered dress by British designer Alessandra Rich, and Wintour brought the Chanel couture dress she wore to the 2009 Met Gala out of her closet for the occasion. Downton Abbey's Elizabeth McGovern and PBS reporter Gwen Ifill also got glammed up - stroll through the slideshow to see what they wore.

View Slideshow ›

Angela Lindvall Confirmed to Host Project Runway All Stars

fashionologie — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 10:56:52 PDT

>> Speculation that arose last week has been confirmed: Angela Lindvall - not Heidi Klum - will host Lifetime's upcoming Project Runway All Stars spinoff. "Here I am in New York City! I landed a huge opportunity that will have me here for a month," Lindvall wrote last month on her blog. "Have to keep it top secret for now."

In place of Project Runway judges Michael Kors and Nina Garcia, Isaac Mizrahi and Marchesa's Georgina Chapman (who also happens to be married to the show's executive producer Harvey Weinstein) will join Lindvall on the All Stars judging panel. The show will premiere later this year on Lifetime.

And speaking of models heading to television, Carolyn Murphy just noted that she's currently "working on a TV show."

Which British Designers Say They're Not Doing Kate Middleton's Wedding Gown?

fashionologie — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:16:40 PDT

>> Alexander McQueen's Sarah Burton (and McQueen CEO Jonathan Akeroyd and a spokesperson from the label) have all categorically denied any involvement with Kate Middleton's wedding gown, although many still seem skeptical about believing them.

But McQueen aside, which other British or London-based designers have taken their names off the list of potentials? Marchesa, for one. “I’m excited to see what [Middleton]’s going to be wearing,” Keren Craig said. “I think she’s a very stylish woman, and I think she’ll probably choose something beautiful and classic. I don’t think she’s going to go for anything too trend-based or crazy edgy. She’ll look like a princess!”

Don't expect to see Middleton donning London labels Erdem or Vivienne Westwood, either - spokespeople from each label denied any involvement. And although wedding gown favorite Alice Temperley is making no comment on the matter, WWD cites sources saying that she's not doing Middleton's dress.

So who's remaining mum on whether they involved? Former favorite in the race, old school London couturier Bruce Oldfield; Issa's Danielle Helayel, who is a Middleton favorite (but Helayel is Brazilian and doesn't have much experience with gowns - honeymoon garb seems much more likely); and Catherine Walker, a brand which specializes in wedding gowns and made Princess Diana's burial gown.

Marchesa's Polished Designer Georgina Chapman Is Secretly Messy

fashionologie — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 12:56:57 PDT

>> Marchesa's Georgina Chapman is known for her polished look - and her frothy gowns: "More is more! That's the Marchesa motto," she wisecracks - but, she warns: "I look much more civilized than I actually am. I'm actually an incredibly disorganized, messy person. My mother says I'm like a disease that can walk into a room and get it infected. I can destroy things in seconds." Marchesa cofounder Keren Craig corroborates with a story from college: "We were in Thailand, [and] a lot of people's huts got raided by thieves, but we kept all of our clothes on the floor, so I think if anyone tried to ransack us, it looked like someone had beat them to it. I thought I was messy until I met Georgina!" [Harper's Bazaar]

Designers Tom Ford, Georgina Chapman and More Make Appearances at the Oscar Festivities

fashionologie — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 11:44:43 PST

>> Designers are well-represented at the Academy Awards when it comes to gowns, but a few made the pilgrimage to Los Angeles themselves to have their own Oscars red carpet moment. Georgina Chapman, Valentino Garavani, and Tara Subkoff made an awards appearance, while Diane von Furstenberg, Carolina Herrera, Jason Wu, Tom Ford and the like hobnobbed later at Vanity Fair's after party.

View Slideshow ›

fashionologie — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 08:04:45 PDT

>> Georgina Chapman Had a Girl! -34-year-old Georgina Chapman gave birth to her first child, a girl named India Pearl Weinstein, with 58-year-old husband Harvey Weinstein on Sunday night, according to friends. "Mother and daughter are doing great," added one. Weinstein has three daughters from his first marriage. Although Marchesa's Fashion Week presentation is just over two weeks away on Sept. 15, Chapman said earlier this month that she planned to be present. [NY Post, @jimshi809]

Phoebe Philo Reportedly Among the Masses Gathered for Target's Light Show Spectacular

fashionologie — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:09:29 PDT

>> Last night saw crowds on New York's West Side craning their necks in awe while Target's twenty-minute-long Kaleidoscopic Fashion Spectacular took place. The mass retailer rented out 155 rooms - the entire south side of the Standard Hotel - and took advantage of the building's floor-to-ceiling glass, illuminating the windows to reveal 66 dancers performing a choreographed dance. The light show and dance sequences portrayed everything from a growing green vine, to lightning and rain, to a tie-dyed rainbow of colors before finally ending to applause in a red Target bullseye.

Among the audience were Prabal Gurung, Richard Chai, Georgina Chapman, who is due with her first child any day now (and still plans to be at Fashion Week), and reportedly Phoebe Philo. Target is clearly working on upping its image - and last night's display seemed a success, based on the enthusiastic audience reaction. It's also partnering with Gilt Groupe for the first time, allowing its collaboration with Mulberry (see images here), which doesn't hit Target stores until Oct. 12, to be sold on Gilt tomorrow, Aug. 20, in limited quantities.

A video of last night's light show, below.

The video! »

Fashion in 50 Seconds 8/18/10 Love's New Cover Girls, New Accessories Bazaar to Display Spring 2011 Collections

coutorture — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 10:04:37 PDT

Love's new girls.

New Accessories Bazaar will display Spring 2011 shoes, bags, and jewelry collections so you can actually see them during Fashion Week.

Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig will answer your red carpet glamour questions in InStyle.

Julia Restoin-Roitfeld's new gigs: face of Lancome, Mark Fast consultant.

September fashion mags earn praise for skewing older this year.