Five (Plus) Questions

Marchesa's Georgina Chapman talks wedding gowns, Project Runway and her Oscar creation

Georgina Chapman has been one busy woman this year. Pregnant with her second child, she presented the romantic Marchesa fall 2013 collection in New York, attended the Oscars in Los Angeles with husband, Silver Linings Playbook producer Harvey Weinstein, and introduced the lower-priced Pearl by Georgina Chapman collection at JC Penney.

And she also found time to create a bridal collection for fall 2013 that makes its Houston debut at the Joan Pillow Bridal Salon through Saturday.

"I am dramatic in my design approach to begin with, but when I’m pregnant, I tend to unleash even more of that fantastical thinking."

With her baby due any day now, the 36-year-old British designer was unable to make it to Houston to showcase her bridal gowns. But she answered some questions in an email conversation with CultureMap, where she discussed the differences between bridal and red carpet gowns and her time as a judge on Project Runway All Stars, where she was always introduced as "the beautiful Georgina Chapman."

CultureMap: As the designer of Marchesa, you are known for show-stopping red carpet gowns. What's different about designing a wedding gown?

Georgina Chapman: The design process remains the same for me, but I do certainly take the bride into consideration. I think about everything from structure, style and fabrics, to how the gown will look in photos and the style of wedding. The same Marchesa aesthetic always applies for our bridal collections: feminine touches, dramatic flair and attention to detail.

CM: Many people think of bridal gowns as being timeless, but are there themes or trends in each collection?

GC: We do work with themes in our bridal collections, but they are subtle. We have in the past played with ideas of floral lace, romantic fairy tales, and modern adaptations of historical references. We never design with trends in mind; I like to instead focus on inspiration, mood and the overall silhouette.

CM: What are the themes and/or trends in the collection that will debut in Houston?

GC: Our most recent bridal collection blended architectural details with soft interpretations of the Iris and Bulgarian Rose flowers.

CM: What did you learn from your Project Runway experience?

GC: So much! It’s been such an interesting, wonderful experience. I’m constantly amazed by how quickly the designers turn their projects around, and craft garments in such a small window of time.

"I’m constantly amazed by how quickly the (Project Runway) designers turn their projects around, and craft garments in such a small window of time."

CM: Was it a one-time thing or do you plan to do it again?

GC: I’ve done two seasons now, both have been great. We’ll have to see!

CM: What inspired the etheral gown you wore to the Oscars?

GC: I’m quite pregnant at the moment, as you can tell in the photos! As such, I wanted something comfortable, soft and free-flowing, but still romantic and intricate. I created the gown relatively last minute, but I was very happy with it.

CM: You have been quoted as saying that being pregnant has helped the design process. How so?

GC: I have felt an incredible rush of creativity during my pregnancy. It was the same for my first pregnancy, too. I am dramatic in my design approach to begin with, but when I’m pregnant, I tend to unleash even more of that fantastical thinking.

The Marchesa bridal collection is at Joan Pillow Bridal Salon, 4001 Westheimer, through Saturday.

Marchesa wedding gowns are marked by ornate detail. Ivory and gold metallic lace gown with pleated tulle overlay and hand-embellished crystal and pearl necklace collar.

Marchesa Bridal Collection, B80815, detail

Photo courtesy of Marchesa

Marchesa wedding gowns are marked by ornate detail. Ivory and gold metallic lace gown with pleated tulle overlay and hand-embellished crystal and pearl necklace collar.

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Stepping up

Texas bootmaker strikes a glossy note with the debut of new patent line

Photo courtesy of Miron Crosby

Miron Crosby reimagines its signature Maggie boot in high-gloss patent leather for a polished update.

Cowboy boots are based in tradition, but Miron Crosby continues to find ways to move the conversation forward. The Dallas-based label’s latest release, the Maggie Patent Collection, debuts a new material to its signature lineup while staying true to the workmanship that built its following.

The brand’s best-selling Maggie boot is now available in a high-gloss patent leather. Although the new finish changes the silhouette's tone, delivering a more fashion-forward take on Western footwear, the boot’s structure remains the same.

“Maggie is such a classic, flattering shape, so even when you introduce something like a patent, it still feels timeless at its core,” co-founder Sarah Means Ward tells CultureMap.

When designing the boot, the sisters were careful not to lean into trends. They focused on letting the material enhance the boot rather than redefine it. “We wanted it to feel elevated and refined instead of overly flashy,” says Ward.

Miron Crosby Maggie Patent New colorways Beurre, Sable, and Transformative Teal bring depth and shine to the Maggie Patent lineup.Photo courtesy of Miron Crosby

Texas has strong roots and ideas about Western wear, and introducing patent leather into a heritage category can come with risks. The sisters approached the new collection with a respect for tradition as their foundation.

“The craftsmanship, the construction, the way the boot fits and feels, those elements are non-negotiable,” Duplantis says. “From there, it’s about evolving the design in a way that still feels authentic.”

The look was first tested in 2019 when Miron Crosby worked with Prabal Gurung on a limited run of patent boots for his runway show. That collaboration allowed Miron Crosby to explore new materials, something the brand has continued to build on. With Maggie Patent, that early concept was refined into a boot designed for daily wear, not just for the runway.

“It showed us that something as unexpected as patent leather can feel completely natural in a Western silhouette when it’s approached thoughtfully,” says co-founder Lizzie Means Duplantis.

The collection is available at their River Oaks boutique, in three colorways: Beurre, Sable, and Transformative Teal, which were influenced by materials seen at the 2025 Lineapelle show in Milan.

“The patent leathers had this incredible richness that made us think about color in a different way,” Ward says.

The sisters chose colors that were naturally approachable. Neutral tones like Beurre and Sable are great for everyday wear, while Transformative Teal offers a statement moment. “Some days (our customer) wants something understated, other days she wants something that stands out,” says Duplantis. “This was about giving her both.”

Photo courtesy of Miron Crosby

Miron Crosby reimagines its signature Maggie boot in high-gloss patent leather for a polished update.

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