At Marchesa's always-glamorous presentation in Chelsea, the fare was the same as it always is: Ridiculously beautiful cocktail dresses and gowns, and models wincing after an hour in seriously high heels.
Marchesa's presentations are always set up like an art gallery, with models in dresses perched atop pedastals like works of art, all the designers' exquisite detail and finery on display. This season, designers Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig mixed their traditional Oscar red carpet-worthy fare -- one gold lace-and-tulle asymmetrical gown looked destined for the Academy Awards -- along with some dark, moody elements: a black lace jumpsuit, a sculptural midnight blue strapless gown with a full skirt and white printed flowers, and a dark tulle cocktail dress, which acted as a nice counterpoint to some of the metallic-and-white fairytale fare. We especially enjoyed the shorter pieces that featured spectacular bows on the back.
And, as in previous years, there is the inevitable moment toward the end of the presentation where models teeter, look teary, and in some cases, break down and take their heels straight off. This was the case in what will go down as one of the most cringe-worthy moments we've seen in the week thus far: A sweet young model in the prettiest peach ballgown turning away from the audience in tears as handlers helped her take off her shoes. Those of us slogging toward the finish of the eight-day fashion week haul certainly felt her pain, though we couldn't help admiring her dress as she turned around. And if Marchesa can make a teary girl look good, that's a testament to the brand's power, indeed.
