Marchesa Resort 2018

At a preview of their collection, Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig said that Resort calls for "staying true to our customer and giving her new things to relate to." This season the designers served up a straight shot of pure, unfiltered Marchesa, which made for a familiar yet potent mix of all-out femininity and romance—with a hint of raciness. The lookbook opened on an exemplary note with an Impressionist floral confection whipped up from a hand-painted gauze that floated beautifully over the body into a floor-kissing puddle. Accented with a touch of black Chantilly lace around the waist, you could imagine it gliding over the lush grounds at an upscale garden party. Ditto for a strapless tea-length dress covered with pretty petal accents.

Continuing to draw on their brand's DNA, Chapman and Craig showed a series of soft pink numbers that featured signature rosebud draping. The flirty little cocktail sheath cut from a stretchy silk crepe was a particular standout. That also spoke to Marchesa's increased emphasis on more casual eveningwear and separates. Highlights included embellished peasant blouses and (gasp!) dressy trousers. On the vampier side of the equation was a one-shouldered lace gown boasting a toothsome thigh-high slit; A-list models will be lining up to borrow it for their next major event. Elsewhere, a long black tulle style with sheer sleeves and delicate floral thread-work was just the thing you could picture someone like Eva Green donning on the red carpet.