Maria Lucia Hohan

For an occasion that calls for a real gown, it's a considered choice. Under her namesake label, Maria Lucia created a new category of bridal and evening gowns, and the house has built its name on draped, statement eveningwear. These are pieces bought for a wedding, a red carpet or a milestone night rather than everyday wear.

Begin with an evening gown, the foundation of the label. Maria Lucia created a new category of bridal and evening gowns under her own name, so a flowing eveningwear piece is the most representative way to experience the house. If you have an upcoming formal event, that's where the brand earns its place.

Maria Lucia Hohan is a Romanian fashion designer and entrepreneur and the creative director of her eponymous brand, which was established in 2003. She was born in Romania, and early in her career she worked as a fashion illustrator for an Italian design house in Milan before opening her own studio.

In 2003, Maria Lucia Hohan opened her own studio in Bucharest and launched her namesake label. From that Bucharest base she went on to build a brand that now operates internationally.

She studied at and graduated from the LISAA School of Art & Design in Paris. That Paris training, followed by a stint as a fashion illustrator at an Italian design house in Milan, shaped the European eveningwear sensibility her label is known for.

An impressive roster. Hohan began gaining international recognition once her creations were worn by names such as Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Selena Gomez, Megan Fox and Eva Longoria, among others. That red-carpet visibility is a big part of how the brand grew from a Bucharest studio to an international name.

Yes. One of Hohan's designs was recognized at the 2022 NAACP Image Awards, where her dress was worn by actress Logan Browning. It's a notable marker of the label's reach on the American awards circuit.

The brand is sold internationally. Hohan is carried by stores across the world in New York City, London, Milan, Rome, Dubai, Istanbul, São Paulo and Singapore. That global stockist spread reflects how far the label has grown since its 2003 founding.

Both fall within her remit. Under her namesake label, Maria Lucia created a new category of bridal and evening gowns, so brides and gala guests alike fall within her world. If you're dressing for a wedding, whether as the bride or a guest, the house is built for exactly that.