dreaming of the marchesa princess.

I swear when I saw the first look of Marchesa's Fall 2014 collection, I completely forgot all about the other collections I had been raving about and could only be stare wide-eyed at the gold {or fiery copper according to Style} and white gown that was the first look. I have always looked forward to their show, but this time I was utterly blown away by the sheer grandeur of it. And after a quick glance at the full show, I can only say that it's by far the most beautiful collection of New York Fashion Week : the pure opulence of each look made the show absulutely unforgettable and the entire time I was just dreaming about what it would be like wearing these gorgeous creations, making an entrance in a grand soirée like a princess....

Back to the collection, this season had similar elements from the Spring 2014 collection : a more relaxed, disheveled take on the gowns, yet still maintaining the ethereal, elegant and effortless sexy that is signature to Marchesa. What was different however was a wider color palette, the use of fur and feathers, and a completely new source of inspiration : the Scottish Highlands, a change from the usual Los Angeles. The result? A whimsical, romantic, earthy collection full of jewel toned frocks, romantic florals and sexy sheer fabrics. The collection was also a lot more wearable thanks to the notable absence of the extravagant proportions and the piles of chiffon and tulle, as well as the wider styles of gowns which ranged from off-shoulder to strapless, long-sleeved to turtleneck. 

Inspired by “visions of billowing bonfires sweeping through the Scottish Highlands,” fiery copper tones appeared in a brilliant array of gold, saffron, burnt orange, and burgundy, while smoke was evoked in deep shades of teal and gray. Delicate gold thread work added a touch of glamour and shine to the gowns in darker shades while metallic fabrics changed the gowns from stunning to positively perfect. Embellishments and pleating also provided a little trompe l'oeil, making the gowns appear like they had jewels sewn into the skirts. Fur and feathers also made a debut on the Marchesa runway, and it really gave the looks a regal finishing touch. Feathers were used to make an argyle sweater, while fur became an accessory : thrown around the neck or held like a bag in one hand. Given that this is a Fall collection, feathers and fur were just the right mix of comfort and style.

But any Marchesa collection would not be complete without lace florals and sheer fabrics. Romantic lace florals gave the collection a sense of girlishness amidst the forest-inspired tones, while the peekaboo fabrics added a dose of understated sexiness. I can't help but be reminded of the glorious Victorian era with the ruffles and full hoop skirts, I mean it's not all the time when a collection offers a hint of historical grandeur.

Exquisite embroidery, lavish fabrics and luxurious lace - what more can someone ask from Marchesa? With the Oscars coming up and Marchesa's reputation for being a celebrity favourite, these to-die-for gowns would definitely make an entrance on a starlet or two. We can only watch and wish for the day where we can finally don such a stunning collection, whether is it as an Oscar nominee, dazzling socialite or a princess....

What do you think of the collection?