This morning, Westminster Abbey showcased a dress that is sure to be emulated for the next twenty years or so. Early this morning, I revealed that the Grace Kelly-esque wedding dress was an Alexander McQueen ivory sweetheart neckline gown with a gorgeous French Chantilly lace bodice and a full skirt. Designer Sarah Burton‘s handiwork was made with ivory and white satin gazar with a train measuring just under 10 feet long. This showcase of McQueen brilliance is possibly the biggest PR boost the brand could ever hope for.
“It has been the experience of a lifetime to work with Catherine Middleton to create her wedding dress. Alexander McQueen’s designs are all about bringing contrasts together to create startling and beautiful clothes and I hope that by marrying traditional fabrics and lacework, with a modern structure and design we have created a beautiful dress for Catherine on her wedding day. The last few months have been very exciting and an incredible experience for my team and I as we have worked closely with Catherine to create this dress under conditions of the strictest secrecy.”
– Sarah Burton
But what about the hidden wedding shoes?! They were also hand-made by the team at Alexander McQueen and are made of ivory duchesse satin with lace that was hand-embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework.
Accessories-wise, the Cartier “Halo” diamond tiara – made in 1936 and also a birthday gift for the future Queen’s 18th birthday – was pinned into her perfect tresses. Her earrings are inspired from the new Middleton family crest and were custom made by Robinson Pelham; a gift from her parents. They are diamond-set in stylized oak leaves with a pear shaped diamond set drop and a pave set diamond acorn suspended in the center. Catherine’s all important wedding band is made by Wartski, who also made the wedding bands for Prince Charles and Camilla, and is purely Welsh gold.
As a much-overlooked accesory, The Duchess of Cambridge‘s bouquet was designed by Shane Connolly and draws on significant floral components from the Language of Flowers for the Royal Family and the Middleton family. The flowers’ meanings in the bouquet are:
Lily-of-the-valley: Return of happiness
Sweet William: Gallantry
Hyacinth: Constancy of love
Ivy: Fidelity; marriage; wedded love; friendship; affection
Myrtle: the emblem of marriage; love.
