Markarian RTW Spring 2023
At an L.A. dinner in June to celebrate her collaboration on swimwear with Summersalt, Markarian designer Alexander O’Neill was getting ready to embark on a summer holiday to the Italian Riviera.
And that’s where she drew inspiration from for her spring 2023 collection, shown at the beautiful Ukranian Institute on East 79th Street, with a bevy of brand supporters in the front row, including Katie Couric, Nicky Hilton, Candace Bushnell, Ivy Getty, Veronica Webb and more.
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“I looked to old Renaissance masters, especially the Bernini sculpture ‘Apollo and Daphne,’ with Daphne growing into the tree. So many of the floral motifs have a wispy, vine-like design to them,” she said in the backstage hustle before the show. “There was also a modern take on Botticelli’s ‘Birth of Venus’ with pearls, a celebration of the Dolce Vita,” she added, pointing out a pearl studded black linen nipped-waist dress.
The theme was pretty subtle, actually — mostly, there were lots of feminine dresses with her signature shimmer and shine, starting with look one, a white minidress with vine-like gold embroidery and a dramatic watteau train that could be a modern bridal gown, straight through to draped silk metallic columns, floaty chiffon goddess gowns and swishy sequined dresses in sunny hues worn with flat sandals for a casual, resort look.
There was something for everyone, and almost all of them were winners. A long lavender sequined skirt with inverted chiffon pleats and allover embroidery resembling pressed flowers was a highlight in a season with lots of statement skirts, and a strapless silver and pink metallic floral jacquard dress with full skirt had real retro charm.
Launch Gallery: Markarian RTW Spring 2023
