As any department store shopper can attest, the biggest problem with designers’ lower-priced labels is that many fail to capture the magic you see on the runway of their main line. For Marchesa Notte, the sister collection of Marchesa, that usually isn t the case. Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig launched Notte back in 2007 to give their couture customers slightly less-fantastical options for garden parties, weddings, and other non–red carpet affairs. With a more approachable price point to match—dresses range from $800 to $1,000—Notte has also become a go-to for high school proms. Girls who are still dreaming about the bird-inspired, Jordan almond–colored fairy-tale gowns that hit the Marchesa runway a few days ago will delight in the fact that Notte pulled inspiration from the same places.
The big difference was in the silhouettes, which were just a bit simpler. They lent themselves equally well to Marchesa proper’s rose gold embroideries, petal appliqués, and tasteful cutouts. An added bonus: Most of these dresses were relatively ageless, save for a blush A-line minidress with tulle overlay and life-size flower embellishments, which would look particularly sweet on younger girls with sneakers or gladiator sandals.
