Inside Markarian with Alexandra O’Neill

Each September, New York becomes the center of the fashion world. This week, Fashion Week returns, and so do the runways, after-parties, and a global crowd only New York can pull off. It’s a week that effortlessly captures the season’s mood: alive, electric, and brimming with creativity. Among the designers shaping this moment is Alexandra O’Neill, founder of Markarian, a label celebrated for its ethereal silhouettes, celestial motifs, and commitment to quality craftsmanship.
Since launching in 2017, O’Neill has anchored her work in New York’s Garment District, collaborating with local artisans to create collections that are equal parts timeless and transportive. “There really is no place in the world like New York City,” she reflects. “It is buzzing, vibrant, and just full of energy and life, and I am proud to be a part of this community.”

Rooted in Heritage

O’Neill’s connection to the Garment District runs deep and plays an essential role in her championing of local, made-to-order pieces. Her great-grandmother, who immigrated from Greece in the early 1900s, worked as a seamstress in the very same district where Markarian now operates. “Without the training and talent of the artisans there, designers would not have the capacity or resources to create these beautiful pieces,” O’Neill explains. “This is why I feel so strongly about supporting our local talent and why Markarian is so connected to New York.”
Just steps from The Fifth Avenue Hotel, O’Neill’s atelier sits in the heart of the NoMad neighborhood, a pocket of the city she treasures for its architecture and creative character. One of her most cherished rituals is visiting a favorite of The Fifth: the Flower Market on West 28th Street. “It’s a small but fulfilling practice that brings so much joy to our space,” she says. “To me, the flower market embodies everything I adore about New York: it’s beautiful and abundant, yet also bustling and efficient, a little oasis of creativity in the middle of NoMad.”

Storytelling Through Design

Though Markarian is known for its celestial motifs and romantic flourishes, O’Neill explains that her work always begins, first and foremost, with emotion. “Storytelling in design is less about a single element and more about weaving together many small details that, collectively, create a sense of romance and femininity,” she says.
Inspiration may come from something as subtle as the fall of light on a fabric, the curve of a neckline, or a precisely placed pleat. “Each of these features carries meaning, and together they build a narrative that feels both timeless and deeply personal. Ultimately, my goal is for the clothing to make a woman feel transported.”

Milestones Along the Way

With the arrival of Fashion Week comes energy and reflection. This year is especially meaningful as Markarian approaches its tenth anniversary in 2027. “There is always a buzz in the air during NYFW. It brings so much energy and excitement to the city, and it’s exhilarating being a part of that,” O’Neill says. Looking back, she recalls her first NYFW presentation, the thrill of dressing remarkable women over the years, and the historic moment when Dr. Jill Biden wore Markarian at the 2021 Presidential Inauguration.
But for O’Neill, success isn’t one singular moment but rather the collective. “What stands out most to me, however, is […] the steady growth of our community—our atelier in New York’s Garment Center, the artisans and team members who bring each collection to life, and the women who choose to make Markarian part of their personal narratives.”

A Fashionable New York

Every artist has their well of inspiration. O’Neill gravitates toward vintage treasures at Edith Machinist on the Lower East Side and makes seasonal visits to the Manhattan Vintage Show. “There’s something magical about rummaging through so many decades of history in one place,” she says. “I love studying the way things were once made, the craftsmanship, and the stories embedded in each piece.”
Beyond vintage, she turns to places that feel like home: the charm of John Derian, tea at the Bowery Hotel, and dinner at Il Cantinori, a Greenwich Village restaurant she has frequented since she was eighteen. These are spots O’Neill can count on for comfort and continuity in a city that balances the beauty of constant change and enduring timelessness.

Looking Ahead

The future feels bright for O’Neill, with Markarian moving forward in step with the vision that first inspired it. “As we look ahead, I’m excited by the opportunity to continue evolving while holding true to our roots,” she says. “I look forward to exploring new ways of bringing beauty and romance into the everyday, to champion craftsmanship, and to create clothing that inspires confidence, joy, and a sense of wonder.”