If you have searched for the name behind Dr. Jill Biden’s 2021 Inauguration outfit, the answer is Markarian. The ocean-blue dress and matching coat she wore on the steps of the Capitol were designed, sewn, and hand-finished in New York City by Alexandra O’Neill and her atelier. That moment introduced a quiet, craft-led label to a national audience, and it remains the clearest way to explain what Markarian is.

A New York house, founded in 2017

Alexandra O’Neill founded Markarian in 2017. The name comes from a radiant grouping of galaxies, and that celestial idea runs through the work: romantic, a little vintage, made to catch the light. O’Neill learned to sew from her grandmother at ten, and her great-grandmother worked as a seamstress in the same New York Garment District where Markarian now produces. The label is small by design, and that is the point.

Made to order in the Garment District

Most Markarian pieces are made to order in New York City rather than mass produced. The house sources its own textiles, from moiré silks to floral brocades, and works in small batches to cut waste. This is why the brand reads as occasion wear with a couture sensibility: the embellishment is hand-finished, the bodices are properly built, and the fabrics carry the look.

What Markarian is known for

Signature Markarian is event dressing with presence. Think corseted bodices, puffed sleeves, sequins, and sweeping skirts, cut for weddings, galas, and red carpets. Designer Alexandra O’Neill is a CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund finalist and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree, and the label has become a red-carpet regular for names including Kerry Washington and Kate Hudson. At Luxury Handbags you can shop the house across designer dresses and the full Markarian collection.

Where to start

For a first Markarian piece, look to the printed midis and the embellished gowns, where the hand-finishing is easiest to see. The Anastasia floral halter gown and the Amina sequin midi are good examples of the house signature. For styling, read our guide on how to style a Markarian dress, and if you are comparing labels, see brands like Markarian.