Before there was Marchesa, there was Tony Duquette. An interiors legend who turned living rooms into whimsical dreamscapes, Duquette loved all things lavish and over-the-top and filled even the tiniest hinge of a door with drama. Aesthetically speaking, does this ring a bell? If you think in terms of fashion, Duquette and the Marchesa masterminds Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig are totally simpatico. A shared adoration for strong color, elaborate patterns, and wild embellishment brought them together (theoretically speaking, at least) for Marchesa’s Resort 2018 collection. Craig and Chapman took notes from Duquette’s interiors and film sets, using feathers, 3-D floral paillettes, and fringes to wink at his grand style.
Of course, there has always been bravado to a Marchesa confection, and this season, familiar silhouettes like cascading tiers of tulle and ombre, dip-dyed hues were still in the lineup. The most notable Duquette-ian pieces included a sheer blue gown with a pink velvet ribbon tied at the waist, billowed sleeves, and vibrant embroidery, and a structured cerulean strapless gown with beautiful folds at the bodice and down the back. Chapman and Craig also introduced a new “warped” floral print that stood out against the intricate beading of the other award season–appropriate looks. The Duquette influence brought even more wow-factor than usual to the Marchesa lineup.
