From The Daily Brides: Marchesa's Georgina Chapman On Weddings

by The Daily Front Row

(NEW YORK) Marchesa designer and co-founder Georgina Chapman may amp up the volume for her clients’ high-profile nuptials, but for her own wedding to movie mogul Harvey Weinstein in 2007?  No drame, s’il vous plaît!
BY MARIA DENARDO

Congrats on your new baby boy!
I’m overjoyed with the arrival of my son, and am so happy to spend time with my family right now. But we also have our bridal collection to debut, so I’m just juggling it all as best I can. 

Did you have to alter your design process to accomodate the pregnancy?
No, I got a little more tired, but I had to keep going because it’s normally more tiring when the baby’s out! The fashion calendar keeps on course whether you’re pregnant or not.

Your business partner Keren Craig also just had her second baby. Do you swap child-rearing tips?
We work together every day, so we talk about it like any other friends, and commiserate together on how we’re feeling. It’s such a pleasure to work with your best girlfriend every day. We’re really lucky.

Who do you admire in the fashion world?
There are countless creative geniuses in the fashion industry, but if I had to choose, aside from my partner Keren, of course, it would be Tabitha Simmons, who styles our shows. She has such a keen eye and disciplined aesthetic, and works closely with us to translate our vision each season. And her footwear collection is amazing! I have at least a handful of pairs, if not more. She’s one of my closest friends in the industry.

Who gets more jazzed about weddings: you or Keren?
We both do! It’s a very romantic time in the office. The studio is filled with white and ruffles and flowers. It’s a pretty place to be.

Do you have a favorite bridal gown you’ve designed?
When we approach bridal, I like to think of all different types of brides, so it’s hard to pick just one. Nowadays people have all kinds of weddings, from traditional church weddings to destination weddings. We try to accommodate each of those brides. Every season I get attached to a dress, and the next season it changes.

What are your brides asking for?
It’s a mix. There’s been a trend toward more covered silhouettes and sleeves since the royal wedding. We’ve seen a big callout for cocktail dresses as well. Brides are still traditional, but they’re more willing to take risks and be adventurous.

Who’s your dream bride?
Any woman! When anyone chooses to wear your bridal gown, it’s the most flattering experience. They’re choosing you for the most important day of their life.

Any practical tips for brides-to-be?
Stick with your style and don’t be too led by fashion. It’s really about being comfortable and beautiful. I’d try on a lot of different shapes and silhouettes to really understand what it is that you want for that special day.

Have you ever been a bridesmaid?
I never was! It’s very upsetting, isn’t it?

What’s your favorite wedding moment?
I’d have to say my own wedding. It was one of my favorite days of my life. It was magical. Weddings are a joyous occasion, and I love a day of celebration.

What’s the best advice you received before the big day?
Someone told me to look around, take in the faces, and be present in the moment because it’s going to go by so quickly. It was the best advice, and she was right.

What’s the best wedding gift you registered for?
I asked people to contribute to a fund I started called the Rose Home, so we could build a home for orphans in India. Now we have about 50 girls living there!

What was your something blue?
Christian Louboutin designed my shoes with blue soles. I adore Christian! We’ve gotten closer throughout the years as we collaborate on the footwear for our shows. He is so much fun to be around, just incredibly charismatic and charming!

What about your something old?
I stitched my grandmother’s engagement ring to my garter.

And you made your own dress.
Yes, I did. I left it to the last minute, and didn’t finish until about two days before the wedding. It kept me occupied and kept me from thinking about all the other wedding details.

Sounds stressful!
A little. Only because all the embroidered tulle came in from India but it was the wrong color. They sent brown! We had to bleach it. After the wedding, I had Madame Paulette preserve it for me. I keep it in my house in a box.

What was the funniest part of your wedding planning?
We picked a date and sent out all the invites, and my husband [Harvey Weinstein] didn’t realize he had a conflict, so we had to change everybody’s flights and resend all of our wedding invites. But it all worked out in the end!

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