Marchesa, the uber-feminine clothing line co-founded by Harvey Weinstein’s ex-wife Georgina Chapman, has been having a hard time since Weinstein was accused of sexual assault and abusive behavior in 2017. And now, co-founder Keren Craig has decided to leave the brand.
Craig said in a statement, “Marchesa will always be the realization of a dream. Over the last 16 years, it has been the most incredible and fulfilling professional journey. I am excited to now begin exploring additional creative opportunities and to push my potential as a designer in new directions.”
At one point, Marchesa was a staple on magazine covers and red carpets. But then came the Weinstein allegations. Felicity Huffman and Jessica Chastain both said that Weinstein bullied them into wearing the brand (or tried to, in Chastain’s case). Chapman divorced Weinstein in 2018, but the brand has floundered in the #MeToo era. Anna Wintour wrote a May 2018 Vogue editor’s letter asking the world to forgive Chapman, and Scarlett Johansson and Constance Wu wore Marchesa to the 2018 and 2019 Met Galas, respectively. Still, the brand was tainted by the idea that Weinstein would benefit from a Marchesa comeback — especially since the Daily Beast reported that Weinstein possibly has a financial stake in the line through a company called SeaMarch.
Craig and Chapman met while they were students together at the Chelsea College of Art and Design and started their brand in 2004, a few years after they graduated. As the less-maligned part of the duo, it’s no surprise she’s chosen to get away from the company and pursue other projects, whatever they may be.