Dress Code

The “spirit of India in the 1960s” was the theme for its Spring 2013 collection showcased at the New York Fashion Week a year and a half ago. The India connection for Marchesa, a luxury label known for its elegant evening wear and couture designs, has only gotten stronger with the label’s formal debut in India last week. 

An international red-carpet favourite, Marchesa is spearheaded by British-born designer Georgina Chapman and former model-turned-designer Keren Craig. The New York-based label was launched in 2004 and is available worldwide. Instrumental in bringing it to India are entrepreneur sisters — Charu and Priya Sachdev. And launches are something the two are quite familiar with.
The Sachdevs spearhead Kitsch, a multi-brand concept store in Delhi and Mumbai, under their company TSG International Marketing that retails an enviable list of luxury brands such as Yves Saint Laurent, Chloe, Victoria Beckham, Alexander McQueen, Herve Leger, Stella McCartney, Diane Von Furstenberg in India. “We had our eyes on Marchesa for a while now, and are happy it worked out,” said Priya, the company’s Creative Director.
The launch, which coincided with the fifth anniversary celebrations of The Blue Bar at Hotel Taj Palace in New Delhi, saw a showcase of Marchesa’s Spring-Summer 2014 collection. The evening witnessed models showcase an exclusive ready-to-wear collection comprising cocktail dresses and red-carpet gowns. The showstopper for the event was actor-model Lisa Haydon who sashayed in a stunning black gown with golden embroidery on the waist.
Intricate craftsmanship, romantic drapes and delicate Chantily lace detailing are a signature style of Marchesa and the debut collection comprising off-shoulder cocktail dresses and gowns in jewel tones highlight that well. “Given the number of red carpet events that now take place in India, we think fashionistas and brides-to-be will like the collection,” said Priya.