Marchesa & Marchesa Casati

It is a sad reality that our generation socialite icon, Ms. Paris Hilton, has diminished the meaning of "being socialite" from high social status, glamorous, artistically liberated and fashionably expressive to trashy, tacky, untastefully liberated (pls, the tapes!) and unfashionably expressive (her love of matching colors from head to toe and the smug smile...).

It is great that the new socialite quality designers Georgina and Keren brought to us Marchesa - again. The british born designers were inspired by vintage and Asian influences (like the beautiful Japanese kimono printed tube dress Misha Barton worn), and the legendary European socialite in the late 19th century Marchesa Luisa Casati, became the company's namesake and muse.

Marchesa Casati was "possibly the most artistically represented woman in history after the Virgin Mary and Cleopatra, the portraits, sculptures and photographs of her would fill a gallery." She spent a fortune hosting the most elaborate parties where the servants and maids are all dressed in just gold leaves. Marchesa has also created many inspiration for designers - "She wore live snakes as jewellery (which has became great inspiration for jewellery design nowadays) and was infamous for her evening strolls, naked beneath her furs whilst parading cheetahs on diamond-studded leashes (again, a very fashionable imagery)". (Information was from Marchesa Casati official site , if you would like to read some more about her)

I am glad we have designers like Georgina and Keren in our generation. They are bringing back the more dreamy and romantic quality of a socialite that leaves room for little girls to imagine. Though I think they do have beautiful collections of satin, sheer, lacey, flowy evening gown, I personally love their more artistically eccentric and asian inspired designs. I would definitely love to see them do more of that and go crazy with it. Here are some of my favorites: first 4 pieces (and Mischa worn the first one beautifully) are from Autumn/Winter 07 collection, last 3 pieces are Spring/Summer 07 collection and the last one are the beautiful designers themselves):