Has Marchesa managed to survive the Harvey Weinstein storm? Fashion label founded by convicted rapist’s ex-wife – and funded by him – makes an A-list return to the red carpet… six years after celebrities threatened a BOYCOTT over his sex scandals
- The popularity of Georgina Chapman’s label seems to be bouncing back
- Support for the brand had wavered after allegations against Weinstein emerged
- But, in recent months, famous faces are daring to venture back to the brand
It seems that fashion label Marchesa, founded by Harvey Weinstein’s ex-wife Georgina Chapman, is making a resurgence as celebrities have started stepping out in the designer brand once again.
The popularity of Chapman’s New York-based label, first founded with school friend Keren Craig in 2004, seems to have bounced back despite having been funded by Weinstein.
Although the 46-year-old fashion designer divorced Weinstein soon after the allegations of sexual misconduct emerged in 2017, support among its female customer base initially began to waver.
In the immediate aftermath, the label was forced to postpone its Spring Summer Preview, brand collaborations were halted, and not a single A-list star chose to wear a Marchesa design at the Golden Globes for the first time in years.
But in recent months, it seems that a whole host of famous faces are daring to venture back to the brand on the red carpet.
The popularity of Georgina Chapman’s New York-based label seems to have bounced back despite having been funded by her ex-husband, Harvey Weinstein
Chelsea Handler, who sported an off-the-shoulder Marchesa dress at the Grammys in 2022 (left), continued her affinity with the label at the Critics’ Choice Awards earlier this month (right)
Amy Forsyth put red into the red carpet when she wore a cascade-ruffle Marchesa design to the Oscars in 2022
Chelsea Handler, Laura Prepon and Paige Butcher are among the stars who have been leading the charge to bring the brand back to awards season.
Handler, who sported an off-the-shoulder Marchesa dress at the Grammys in 2022, continued her affinity with the label at the Critics Choice Awards earlier this month.
Playing host for the evening, the actress and comedian slipped into a number of outfits for the occasion, but her second look of the night was a fuchsia Marchesa gown.
But she was not the only one at the event to do so, with actress Laura Prepon also opting for an outfit from the beleaguered designer.
It seems the brand has been gaining momentum for the past year with Amy Forsyth, Paige Butcher, Naz Perez, Autumn Rowe and Christina Jackson having also stepped out in Marchesa in the last 12 months.
Actress Laura Prepon also opted for an outfit from the beleaguered designer at the Critics Choice Awards earlier this year
Singer-songwriter Autumn Rowe wore Marchesa to the Grammys last year
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Chapman herself, who had been keeping a relatively low-profile in recent years, even popped up and gave an interview to Vogue in September about her ‘whirlwind trip’ to Venice Film Festival alongside boyfriend Adrien Brody.
Having shared a dossier of sun-drenched images from the trip, she told the publication: ‘Venice is a city that evokes so many emotions… I was lost in the city’s magic through the sensory experience from the engrossing architecture, labyrinth of canals, and incredible cuisine.’
But what has prompted this resurgence in interest for Chapman and her brand?
Marchesa was once among the go-to brands for celebrities, but its reputation did not make it out unscathed after the allegations against Weinstein came to light.
The former movie mogul had propped Marchesa up with his own investment and also persuaded friends to put their cash behind the brand.
Fashion fans called for celebrities to boycott the label after claiming Chapman was aware of her then husband’s alleged treatment of women.
Eddie Murphy’s fiancee Paige Butcher also made a statement in a Marchesa gown when the couple arrived at the Golden Globe Awards earlier this month
Presenter Naz Perez was also among the famous faces bringing the brand to the Golden Globes as the brand apparently makes a resurgence
Actress Christina Jackson was also seen sporting a design by the fashion label at the premiere for ‘Devotion’
Amirah Vann: ‘A Jazzman’s Blues’ Premiere 2022
Amy Forsyth: Oscars 2022
Autumn Rowe: Grammys 2022
Chelsea Handler: Grammys 2022 and Critics Choice Awards 2023
Christina Jackson: ‘Devotion’ Premiere 2022
Marin Hinkle: Emmys 2022
Molly Sims: American Cinematheque Awards 2022
Andrea Savage: ‘You People’ Premiere 2023
Laura Prepon: Critics Choice Awards 2023
Naz Perez: Golden Globes 2023
Paige Butcher: Golden Globes 2023
These calls only got louder when it came to light that, according to industry insiders, Weinstein pressured stars including Sienna Miller and Felicity Huffman to wear Marchesa gowns on the red carpet to promote his wife’s business.
It is alleged that the stars complied out of fear that he could sabotage their careers if they did not follow his orders.
Weinstein himself admitted pushing the label to Renee Zellweger, who was one of the world’s biggest movie stars at the time, before she wore a Marchesa dress to the premiere of Bridget Jones’s Diary.
In the wake of the allegations, Marchesa co-founder Keren Craig exited the fashion house in June 2019.
But there had been a small enclave of die-hard supporters of the brand.
Among them was Scarlett Johansson who stepped onto the 2018 Met Gala red carpet in Marchesa before later issuing a statement that read: ‘I wore Marchesa because their clothes make women feel confident and beautiful, and it is my pleasure to support a brand created by two incredibly talented and important female designers.’
Anna Wintour also rallied round Chapman and her brand, telling Stephen Colbert’s Late Show at the time: ‘Georgina is a brilliant designer and I don’t think she should be blamed for her husband’s behavior.
‘I think it was a great gesture of support on Scarlett’s part to wear a dress like that—a beautiful dress like that—on such a public occasion.’
Just a few days later, Chapman broke her silence in a Vogue profile, telling the publication: ‘I don’t want to be viewed as a victim because I don’t think I am. I am a woman in a s**t situation but it’s not unique.’
Although outward support was limited beyond these declarations, it seems that time has perhaps started to heal Hollywood’s rift with the Marchesa brand as Weinstein continues to serve a 23-year prison sentence in New York, with his lawyers appealing conviction.
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