Cover Oscar Best Actor Adrien Brody and his partner, Georgina Chapman (Photo by Lionel Hahn/Getty Images)
Oscar Best Actor Adrien Brody and his partner, Georgina Chapman (Photo by Lionel Hahn/Getty Images)
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Meet Marchesa co-founder and Harvey Weinstein’s ex-wife Georgina Chapman, whose life and career has been inextricably linked with Hollywood
Georgina Chapman has been a fixture in the fashion industry for years, but her relationship with Oscar-winning actor Adrien Brody—and his Oscar acceptance speech—has thrown the spotlight on her once more.
While she is best known as the co-founder of the luxury label Marchesa, her career and personal life have often been intertwined with Hollywood. Marchesa’s ethereal gowns became a red-carpet staple, worn by A-listers at major events, but the brand’s reputation took a hit due to Chapman’s former marriage to Harvey Weinstein. The intense media scrutiny that followed forced her to step back from the public eye.
In recent years, Georgina Chapman has carefully navigated a return to fashion, reclaiming space for Marchesa while maintaining a more private personal life. With continued interest in her career and relationships, here are five things to know about her.
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The Chapmans are a distinguished British family
Georgina Chapman was born into a privileged background as the daughter of journalist Caroline Wonfor and businessman Brian Chapman. Her exposure to the arts and fashion from an early age contributed to her aesthetic sensibilities, which later shaped Marchesa’s design philosophy. Growing up in a world of culture and refinement gave her the connections and creative grounding that would prove useful when navigating the competitive world of high fashion.
Georgina Chapman is the co-founder of luxury brand Marchesa
Georgina Chapman launched Marchesa in 2004 with Keren Craig, a fellow graduate of the Chelsea College of Art and Design. Inspired by 19th-century European aristocracy and known for its intricate embroidery and dramatic silhouettes, the brand became a staple on red-carpet events. Marchesa was once among the most sought-after labels for awards season, with celebrities such as Blake Lively, Sandra Bullock, and Penélope Cruz championing its designs. She currently holds the position of creative director, while her brother, Edward Chapman, is the CEO.
She has a background in acting
Before turning to fashion, Georgina Chapman tried her hand at acting, appearing in films such as The Nanny Diaries, Factory Girl and Bride and Prejudice. She also took on television roles, which provided her with firsthand experience in the entertainment industry. While her on-screen career never took off, her familiarity with the ins and outs of Hollywood gave her an advantage when designing for high-profile clients. She also became a regular cast member of Project Runway All-Stars from 2012 to 2019.
Marchesa struggled in the wake of the allegations against Harvey Weinstein
In 2017, Georgina Chapman’s then-husband, Harvey Weinstein, became the subject of widespread allegations of sexual assault, and what became Hollywood’s biggest scandal led to backlash against Marchesa. Many speculated that actresses were pressured into wearing the brand, and as a result, the label largely disappeared from the red carpet.
Chapman announced her decision to divorce Weinstein in October 2017, reaching a divorce settlement in January 2018. Even before their divorce was finalised in mid-2021, Chapman distanced herself from Weinstein and kept a low profile, focusing on her business and personal life. Over time, Marchesa has made a slow but steady return, with some celebrities like Scarlett Johansson and Lucy Liu choosing to wear the brand again, signalling a cautious resurgence.
Chapman’s relationship with Adrien Brody has brought renewed attention
Georgina Chapman and Adrien Brody’s relationship, which began making headlines in 2019, shifted the narrative surrounding her. The couple has largely avoided the limelight, making occasional public appearances at art and fashion events. But as Brody accepted his second Oscar for The Brutalist, his connection to Chapman has brought the spotlight anew on their relationship.
Before ascending the stairs to accept his Oscar, Brody turned around and took gum out of his mouth and—in a surprisingly intimate, if unhygienic, move—threw it back to Chapman. During his acceptance speech, he gave a long and heartfelt tribute to Chapman, calling her “an amazing partner, who has not only reinvigorated my self-worth, but sense of value and my values”. He went on further to thank her children with Weinstein, Dash and India, acknowledging that their lives have been a “rollercoaster”. Endearingly, he referred to himself as “Popsie” and said that he was “coming home a winner.”
Indeed, Chapman’s rollercoaster journey—from the height of Marchesa’s red-carpet dominance to the fallout of public scrutiny and her quiet resurgence—reflects her resilience in an industry that thrives on reinvention. Whether through her designs or her ability to weather Hollywood’s shifting tides, Georgina Chapman remains a fascinating figure.
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