If you're dreaming of an unforgettable gown for a big event, chances are you've coveted something from Marchesa. The brand is a red carpet staple, synonymous with fairy-tale glamour, exquisite embroidery, and dresses that are true works of art.
Their opulent and romantic aesthetic is perfect for making a statement. But if you're looking to explore other designers who capture that same magic, you're in the right place. Here are 18 incredible brands to check out for your next glamorous affair.
Often considered the king of red-carpet glamour, Elie Saab creates breathtaking gowns that feel like they've stepped out of a modern fairy tale. His collections are filled with intricate embroidery, sparkling sequins, and delicate lace on flowing fabrics like silk chiffon and tulle.
Similar to Marchesa, Saab's designs master romantic elegance and incredible craftsmanship. However, Elie Saab's silhouettes can often feel a little more delicate and refined, focusing on softer glamour rather than overtly dramatic shapes. It's for the person who wants regal elegance with an ethereal touch.
Shop now at eliesaab.com
If you find yourself drawn to Marchesa's opulence but desire something a bit more daring, Zuhair Murad is your designer. His couture gowns are famous for their bold, show-stopping glamour, featuring intricate beadwork, sheer panels, and figure-hugging silhouettes that command attention.
Like Marchesa, Zuhair Murad creates high-impact gowns perfect for the most formal events. The key difference is the vibe: while Marchesa is pure fairy-tale romance, Murad brings a sensual, edgy confidence to his creations.
Shop now at zuhairmurad.com
Known for his iconic, cloud-like tulle ballgowns, Giambattista Valli is the master of romantic, voluminous silhouettes. His designs are all about ethereal, feminine beauty, often incorporating ruffles, floral appliqués, and soft pastel shades in his evening wear.
While both brands share a love for high-drama glamour, Valli achieves it through epic proportions and dreamy textures rather than heavy beadwork. If Marchesa is the embellished fairy-tale princess, Giambattista Valli is the whimsical nymph queen of the enchanted forest.
Shop now at giambattistavalli.com
An icon of American luxury, Oscar de la Renta represents timeless elegance and impeccable taste. The brand's evening gowns are celebrated for their classic femininity, beautiful embroidery, and rich fabrics, striking a perfect balance between polished sophistication and modern glamour.
If you appreciate Marchesa's craftsmanship but prefer a slightly more understated and classic approach, Oscar de la Renta is an excellent choice. The aesthetic leans more towards refined, uptown chic rather than full-blown romantic fantasy, but with no less impact.
Shop now at oscardelarenta.com
Reem Acra specializes in couture evening and bridal wear that blends ethereal romance with sophisticated glamour. Her gowns are known for their intricate embroidery, delicate beading, and incredibly flattering silhouettes, making them a red carpet favorite.
Acra shares Marchesa's commitment to detailed embellishment and luxurious fabrics but often incorporates more contemporary cuts. The overall feeling is one of refined, worldly glamour perfect for a modern romantic.
Shop now at reemacra.com
For those who love high-octane glamour, Berta delivers. Known primarily for bridal but also for show-stopping evening wear, Berta’s designs are unapologetically sexy and bold. They feature daring cuts, form-fitting silhouettes, and an abundance of sparkle from Swarovski crystals and sequins.
If Marchesa's romanticism feels a bit too traditional for you, Berta offers the same level of embellishment and luxury with a seriously modern and sultry edge. These are gowns designed to make a dramatic entrance.
Shop now at berta.com
Amsale offers a beautifully polished and minimalist alternative in the world of evening wear. The brand focuses on clean lines, exquisite tailoring, and luxurious fabrics like silk and crepe, proving that true glamour doesn’t always need heavy embellishment.
This is the perfect choice if you admire Marchesa's elegance but prefer a more streamlined and architectural aesthetic. Amsale gowns are all about understated sophistication and timeless design that speaks for itself.
Shop now at amsale.com
Carolina Herrera is the epitome of polished, refined elegance. The brand creates classic evening wear that feels both graceful and modern, often featuring clean silhouettes, crisp fabrics, and signature details like bows and bold colorblocking.
Her designs offer a more regal and sophisticated take on glamour compared to Marchesa's fairy-tale romance. It's for the woman who appreciates timeless style, impeccable structure, and a touch of playful whimsy in her formal attire.
Shop now at carolinaherrera.com
This British couture house is famous for creating utterly show-stopping evening gowns defined by masterful craftsmanship, dramatic shapes, and elaborate details. Think perfectly tailored silhouettes adorned with intricate featherwork, beading, and embroidery.
Like Marchesa, Ralph & Russo excels at artful, luxurious occasionwear. However, they often lean into more structured, architectural forms, blending romantic details with a powerful and modern sensibility that is distinctly European.
Shop now at ralphandrusso.com
While known for its exquisite lingerie, La Perla also translates its expertise in lace, silk, and body-flattering design into a stunning line of evening wear. Their pieces often feel sensual and intimate, focusing on silhouettes that skim the body beautifully.
Compared to Marchesa's grand silhouettes, La Perla offers a sultrier and more understated kind of glamour. It’s perfect for occasions that call for something elegant, luxurious, and delicately seductive.
Shop now at laperla.com
If you want the signature Marchesa aesthetic at a more accessible price point, look no further than its sister line, Marchesa Notte. It offers the same romantic, ethereal DNA - think delicate lace, intricate embroidery, and feminine silhouettes - in ready-to-wear cocktail dresses and gowns.
Marchesa Notte is the perfect solution for when you want that Marchesa magic for weddings, parties, or other formal events without investing in a full couture piece. It retains all the glamour in slightly more wearable designs.
Shop now at marchesa.com/pages/marchesa-notte
Valentino offers legendary Italian craftsmanship with a poetic and artistic spirit. While famous for its signature red, the house's evening wear is a masterclass in elegant, flowing gowns featuring exquisite lace, painterly floral prints, and modern romanticism.
Where Marchesa leans into intricate, sparkling embellishment, Valentino's luxury is often quieter and more focused on the movement of the fabric and the artistry of the print. It's a sophisticated, high-fashion take on feminine dressing.
Shop now at valentino.com
Self-Portrait has become a go-to for contemporary cocktail dresses and event wear. The brand is known for its signature lacework and intricate details but with a fresh, modern perspective, often incorporating sharp tailoring, cutouts, and unexpected textures.
It's an excellent choice if you're looking for an embellished, feminine look that feels decidedly fashion-forward, not fairy-tale. It provides that special-occasion feel at a much more attainable price point than couture brands, making it perfect for the modern party girl.
Shop now at self-portrait.com
Known for its sharp tailoring and sleek designs, the BOSS evening line from Hugo Boss offers a powerful and polished take on glamour. Their collections feature clean lines, high-quality fabrics, and a sophisticated, minimalist aesthetic for women who prefer modern elegance.
This is the stylish antithesis to Marchesa's romantic froth. If you need a formal look more suited for a black-tie corporate gala or chic city event, BOSS provides impeccably crafted pieces that are all about modern control and sophistication.
Shop now at hugoboss.com
This Thai-based brand offers a youthful and quirky approach to evening wear. Disaya’s designs blend romantic femininity with playful details, unique prints, and modern embellishments, creating cocktail dresses that are anything but boring.
While still offering elegant options, Disaya feels more experimental and fashion-forward than Marchesa's traditional glamour. It’s perfect for someone wanting a whimsical, memorable piece that showcases their personality.
Shop now at disaya.com
Straight from Paris, Sandro delivers chic, contemporary pieces that embody effortless cool. For evening, this translates to sleek dresses in luxe fabrics, often with sharp tailoring, subtle embellishments, or an unexpected edgy detail.
Sandro is the brand you turn to for that "cool girl" take on dressing up. If Marchesa's elaborate gowns feel too fussy, Sandro's minimalist-but-edgy styles offer a polished alternative perfect for a stylish cocktail party or art opening.
Shop now at sandro-paris.com
Temperley London is all about romantic, bohemian-infused glamour. Helmed by Alice Temperley, the brand is known for its intricate, vintage-inspired embroidery, flowing silhouettes, and an air of whimsical, free-spirited elegance.
Like Marchesa, Temperley London emphasizes artistry and femininity. However, the vibe is more ethereal and boho-luxe than red-carpet fairytale. It’s the perfect choice for an elegant garden wedding or an upscale artistic event.
Shop now at temperleylondon.com
British designer Jenny Packham is beloved for her exquisitely beaded and embellished gowns that are a favorite of celebrities and royals alike. Her designs radiate red carpet glamour, often featuring intricate art deco-inspired patterns and stunning sequin work on elegant, fluid silhouettes.
Packham offers a similar level of intricate workmanship to Marchesa but with a distinctly modern, British sensibility. Her gowns are for the woman who loves sparkling, statement-making dresses that feel both timeless and incredibly glamorous.
Shop now at us.jennypackham.com
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