Marchesa could be making a comeback at the Emmys. Since Harvey Weinstein has been accused of harrowing accounts of sexual harassment and abuse by multiple women, the disgraced film producer has settled a very public divorce from wife of 10 years, Georgina Chapman.
Chapman is behind one of America’s most prominent fashion houses, Marchesa and the brand was once a staple on red-carpet events.
Howver, after news of the Weinstein scandal broke, Marchesa cancelled all appointments and pulled out of New York Fashion Week.
So when Scarlett Johansson wore Marchesa to the MET Gala back in May – the actress said she wanted to support designers Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig – stylists in Hollywood has been wondering could the fashion company be making a comeback.
While there are some who cannot reconcile Weinstein’s action with the fortunes of his ex-wife’s company, others are ready to move forward, with the brand potentially making a comeback at this year’s Emmy Awards.
George Kotsiopoulos, who dressed celebrities like Kerry Washington in Marchesa’s heyday, said, “I think it’s about what’s happening now. What happened before is irrelevant. If Georgina can start fresh, wipe the slate clean, I think she has a huge chance because who wouldn’t want to support her? People liked Georgina and Keren. That goes a long way. And they were pretty dresses.”
Commenting on the association the brand has with Harvey Weinstein, he said: “So where does that end? We don’t watch a movie he’s produced or ‘Project Runway?’ There are so many other people involved. Many women and men have lost their livelihoods because of accused men leaving their jobs. If that fallout could be lessened in any way, then let’s lessen that. The men or women who work at these companies shouldn’t be punished.”
Micah Schifman, stylist to Sarah Silverman, agrees. “I think people have turned the corner. I think the support for [Georgina] is so much greater than the ill will for him. Talking to other stylists at dinner, they are really rooting for the brand and Georgina right now and I would not be surprised to see one, maybe two, big girls wearing it at the Emmys.”
As to whether Weinstein was the reason why actresses wore the brand in its early days, Schifman said, “I know that there were people who felt pressured to wear it in the past but that’s gone now. The bottom line is everyone loves a comeback, especially in Hollywood. We are the quickest to turn our backs and even quicker to open the door on them.”
Veteran stylist Jessica Paster was not one to hold back when sharing her views.
“Whatever people do in their personal life, what does it have to do with fashion? Georgina wasn’t the one hurting women. I love Marchesa and I think the girls are awesome. I’ll be dressing Amanda Crew and Ellie Kemper for the Emmys and of course I will be pulling it….At some point we need to move on. He himself will pay but someone’s spouse shouldn’t have to pay. Now did he say, ‘Actress A, B and C, will you wear it? Yes, he did all of that. You know what? A lot of people do that. Let’s not be too judgmental because we should all be looking at who we’re married to. You don’t know what goes on behind closed doors.”
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