Every awards season I always find myself swooning over Marchesa dresses. They are always the most intricate, most beautiful gowns on the red carpet. Sadly, they also have a price tag around $4,000. Spending that much for a dress is simply not happening in my lifetime. (Unless, of course, the novel I haven’t even begun writing becomes a huge blowout success and a movie is made out of it and for some reason I’m nominated for an Oscar for ‘Best Book to Become a Movie’… THEN maybe I’ll drop four grand on a dress. It could happen.)

Ali Larter in Marchesa

Kate Beckinsale in Marchesa (2009)

Reese Witherspoon in Marchesa (2008)

Anyway, much to my delight, designers Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig released a lower end line several years ago called Notte by Marchesa. The dresses are in the $700 range and still kinda out of my range but they just seem more attainable at that price point. Here are a few dresses from the line. What do you think?

(Note: For some reason, all these models are in ridiculous poses. Don’t let that sway your opinions of the gorgeous dresses they’re wearing.)

One-Shoulder Floral Dress ($725)

Ruffle-Bodice Strapless Gown ($990)

Ruffle-Sleeve Crepe Shift Dress ($660)

Strapless Organza Ruffle Dress ($795)

See the full collection of dresses as Bergdorf Goodman.