Marchesa To Launch New Contemporary Line/ Marchesa - Spring/Summer 2013

By Sarah Karmali

MARCHESA is launching a secondary, more-affordable line. The contemporary collection will feature the brand's signature mainline aesthetic, but at lower price points.

Marchesa, helmed by designers Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig, is renowned for its ethereal and romantic red carpet creations, and has a strong celebrity fan base - with everyone from Diane Kruger to Rihanna and Kristen Stewart having worn their designs. The pair also has a successful Marchesa Bridal line - with Blake Lively famously getting married in one of their bespoke creations last year - as well as a formal wear diffusion range, Notte by Marchesa. The new venture will see them branching out into the daywear and accessories markets for the first time.

"We have always had a vision for Marchesa to be a lifestyle brand," Chapman told WWD. "We have been very specific for eveningwear so far. We always had this dream that Marchesa could transcend into all different areas of lifestyle."

Little more is known about the new line, which is slated to launch towards the end of this year. It's believed that the collection will feature Marchesa brand signatures such as heavy use of embroidery and print, with prices ranging between $150 and $750. The designers signed a licensing agreement with LF USA in order to launch the new label.

"It's going to be under the Marchesa umbrella, but with a slightly different feel," said Chapman. "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. We haven't really looked at that market yet. My dream is to give Marchesa many facets, and that's just one of them."

Marchesa - Spring/Summer 2013