Marchesa Fall 2011: Which Looks Will Make It To The Oscars' Red Carpet? (PHOTOS, POLL)
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Text by the Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) - The best revenge of a jilted lover is looking good, and the designers of Marchesa have given an exquisite makeover to Miss Havisham.
Bring on the suitors!
The inspiration for the fall collection presented Wednesday at New York Fashion Week came as Georgina Chapman was watching David Lean's 1946 version of the Charles Dickens' classic "Great Expectations."
She knew, she said, that she and partner Keren Craig could do justice to its opulence, decadence and decay and turn them into something beautiful.
"We got busy dusting down beads," Chapman said.
Craig added: "We wanted the dresses to look like they've been disintegrating in the attic, and someone just found them."
Check out images from the presentation by Getty and scroll down to keep reading.
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The results were ethereal, almost ghostly at times, especially one with exaggerated Victorian shapes, or the white-on-black beaded gown worn with a black lace jacket.
Most looks were rooted in light-as-a-feather tulle, but so much of it was used, it took on the personality of something very strong. Add heavy embellishment and long pooling silhouettes, and you've got yourself some glamour.
Even the attempt at something a little more casual - snakeskin-effect leggings paired with an oversized tulle top - was made for a Hollywood star.
A light-gray strapless gown with a sweetheart neckline and chunky beaded bodice seemed destined for the Oscar red carpet later this month. Surely Marchesa could make the silver portrait-collar dress with super-delicate lace floor length if the right starlet asked.
The white-feather, silver-beaded ballgown or the sheer illusion gown strategically covered with red lace would make for a grand awards-show entrance.
How soon could the gowns be on a plane to Los Angeles? "We'd send them tonight!" Chapman said.
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First Posted: 02/17/11 12:17 PM ET Updated: 05/25/11 07:35 PM ET