Co-founder of luxury fashion house Marchesa, Keren Craig is reported to be exiting the US-based label.
Founded in 2004, in partnership with Georgina Chapman, Marchesa has grown to be an iconic brand – synonymous with red carpet celebrities.
“While I have made the difficult decision to part ways with Marchesa, I have tremendous pride in the company, the team and the many successes achieved,” Craig stated in a press release. “I am excited to now begin exploring additional creative opportunities and to push my potential as a designer in new directions.”
As reported by The New York Post, Craig’s last collection for Marchesa will be the label’s Resort 2020 line.
This news comes amidst Marchesa’s exile from the international runways since the past three seasons, owing accusations of sexual assault surrounding Georgina Chapman’s ex-husband Harvey Weinstein. The reports first surfaced in October 2017, which ultimately spawned the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements.
Following a struggling period wherein rumours surfaced accusing Weinstein to have forced actresses in his productions into wearing his wife’s luxury label on the red carpet, many celebrities seemed to have abandoned the brand.
This was changed quickly, owing to an open Editor’s letter by Met Gala chair Anna Wintour about Chapman and her circumstances, and Scarlett Johansson and Priyanka Chopra’s public appearances in Marchesa supported by them speaking out in Chapman’s defense.
A hot debate surrounds Craig’s exit, citing it as a move following controversy over the Weinstein scandal.
It also raises a question mark on the future of the much loved label – with Chapman now at Marchesa’s helm minus Craig, and her ex-husband embroiled in bankruptcy proceedings and federal lawsuits – can the brand regain its lost glory?