Junior Rasmussen
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller under the Givenchy label. The dress was simple and elegant, with a bateau neckline and three-quarter-length sleeves. It is estimated to have cost $265,000 and took 3,900 hours to design and create. The dress was kept a closely guarded secret until the big day, with Waight Keller unable to tell anyone that she had been chosen as the designer. So, can you buy Meghan Markle's wedding dress? The answer is most likely no. The dress was a custom creation, designed specifically for Markle, and it is unlikely that it would be made available for purchase by the general public.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Designer | Clare Waight Keller |
| Fashion House | Givenchy |
| Cost | $265,000 |
| Veil Design Hours | 3,900 |
| Fittings | 8 |
| Collaboration Time | 5 months |
| Colour | White |
| Fabric | Double-bonded silk cady |
| Neckline | Bateau, open, off-the-shoulder |
| Sleeves | Three-quarter length |
| Silhouette | Sculptural, contoured |
| Train | 16-foot-long, triple-silk organza |
| Veil Length | 25 feet |
| Veil Embroidery | Flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, California poppy, wintersweet |
| 'Something Blue' | Piece of the blue dress from Markle's first date with Prince Harry |
| Second Dress Designer | Stella McCartney |
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What You'll Learn
Meghan Markle's wedding dress designer
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller, the first female artistic director of the historic French fashion house Givenchy. Markle's choice of designer was indicative of her commitment to empowering women through her global platform.
Waight Keller created Markle's gown under the Givenchy label. The dress was made of double-bonded silk cady, with a pure white sheen to evoke modernity. The gown featured a bateau neckline, structured three-quarter sleeves, and a sculpted waistline that fell into a 16-foot-long train made of triple silk organza. The dress was estimated to cost about $265,000, which the bride paid for herself.
The design process for the dress and veil took 3,900 hours and required eight fittings. Waight Keller and Markle collaborated closely, communicating discreetly via text and phone calls before and after nondisclosure agreements were signed. The dress sought to convey "modernity through sleek lines and sharp cuts" while paying homage to the history of the Givenchy house.
Markle's wedding dress defied royal wedding fashion trends, as it was incredibly simple and did not include lace, embellishments, or embroidered details. The gown was inspired by Markle's affinity for Audrey Hepburn, particularly the iconic Givenchy dress Hepburn wore in the 1957 movie Funny Face. Markle's veil was embroidered with flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, as well as the California poppy and wintersweet, a flower that grows at Kensington Palace.
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The dress's cost
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller under the Givenchy label. The dress was made of double-bonded silk with a bateau neckline, structured three-quarter sleeves, and a sculpted waistline that fell into a 16-foot-long train made of triple silk organza. The dress was estimated to cost around $265,000, which was paid for by the bride herself. The design process took 3,900 hours for the veil alone and included eight fittings and five months of collaboration between the bride and the design team.
The dress was inspired by Markle's affinity for Audrey Hepburn, particularly the iconic Givenchy dress Hepburn wore in the 1957 movie "Funny Face." Markle's dress also drew inspiration from the minimalist aesthetic of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's 1996 wedding gown. Waight Keller and Markle worked closely together to create a design that reflected Markle's personal style and incorporated meaningful details. The dress featured a pure white sheen to evoke a sense of modernity, with a contemporary and progressive silhouette that still respected tradition.
In addition to the main wedding dress, Markle also wore two other gowns throughout the day. She changed into a Stella McCartney high-neck, halter-neck dress for the evening reception, bringing a modern touch to traditional royal aesthetics. This second dress was designed by British designer Stella McCartney, known for her eco-friendly and sustainable fashion. Markle then surprised guests by changing into a third dress, a Ralph & Russo design, for the intimate reception.
The cost of Meghan Markle's wedding dress and additional gowns is estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, reflecting the intricate design, high-quality fabrics, and collaboration with renowned designers. The final cost may also include expenses for the team of ateliers who crafted the dresses, as well as any additional alterations or accessories.
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The dress's design and style
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller under the Givenchy label. The dress was made of pure white double-bonded silk cady with a soft matte but gracefully luminous effect. It featured a bateau neckline, three-quarter-length sleeves, and a sculpted waistline that fell into a 16-foot-long train made of triple silk organza. The dress was designed to convey a sense of modernity and playfulness while paying homage to the history of the Givenchy house.
The design process for the dress entailed 3,900 hours of work, eight fittings, and five months of clandestine collaboration between Markle and the design team. The dress was estimated to cost about $265,000, which the bride paid for herself.
Markle's dress stood out for its simplicity and departure from traditional royal wedding styles. It did not include lace, embroidery, or any decorations, reflecting a more minimalist and practical approach. This simplicity was inspired by Markle's personal style and her admiration for the fashion icon Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, as well as Audrey Hepburn's iconic Givenchy dress from the 1957 movie "Funny Face."
The veil, which was designed by Waight Keller, featured intricate embroidery with flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, as well as the California poppy and wintersweet, a flower that grows at Kensington Palace. The veil was held in place by Queen Mary's diamond bandeau tiara, lent to Markle by the Queen.
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The dress's train
The train of Meghan Markle's wedding dress was made of triple silk organza and was 16 feet long. The dress's simple design departed from the usual royal wedding style, with no lace, embroidery, or decorations. The dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller under the Givenchy label and was estimated to cost $265,000. It took 3,900 hours to design the veil and five months of collaboration between the designer and Markle, who wanted to highlight the success of a leading British talent. The dress was inspired by Markle's affinity for Audrey Hepburn and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, who were known for their simple and elegant wedding gowns.
The train of the dress was a standout feature, with its triple-silk organza underskirt adding a sense of majesty to the overall design. The length and fabric of the train contributed to the graceful and luminous effect that Waight Keller sought to achieve. The train also provided a touch of tradition to the otherwise contemporary and progressive design of the dress. The off-the-shoulder neckline, three-quarter-length sleeves, and sculpted waistline further accentuated the modern and minimalist aesthetic of the gown.
Waight Keller scoured fabric mills across Europe to develop the perfect fabric for the dress, ultimately opting for a double-bonded silk cady that offered a soft matte finish while remaining luminous. The dress's contoured silhouette was constructed from six meticulously placed seams, which culminated in the grand train at the back. The train added a sense of drama and elegance to the overall design, making it a memorable feature of Markle's wedding ensemble.
The process of designing and creating the dress involved eight fittings to ensure a flawless and perfect result. The collaboration between Waight Keller and Markle was a closely guarded secret until the big reveal on the wedding day. The dress not only represented Markle's personal style but also her spirit, modernity, and freshness, as Waight Keller intended. The train, with its impressive length and graceful fabric, played a significant role in achieving this vision.
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The dress's influence and comparisons
Meghan Markle's wedding dress, designed by Clare Waight Keller under the Givenchy label, was a bold departure from previous royal wedding gowns. The dress was simple, sleek, and modern, with a bateau neckline, three-quarter-length sleeves, and a sculpted waistline that fell into a train of triple silk organza. It is estimated to have cost $265,000 and took 3,900 hours to design and create.
The dress was influenced by Markle's personal style and her desire to present herself to the world as a modern royal. She admired the style of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and described her wedding gown as "everything goals". Markle also referenced Audrey Hepburn's iconic Givenchy dress from the 1957 movie "Funny Face". The dress was also said to be inspired by Princess Margaret's Norman Hartnell silk organza dress.
In terms of comparisons, Markle's dress was notably different from the more ornate and embellished gowns worn by previous royal brides, such as Kate Middleton's lace wedding dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen and Princess Diana's voluminous ball gown by David and Elizabeth Emanuel. Markle's gown was also compared to dresses worn by Angela Brown at her wedding to Prince Maximilian of Liechtenstein in 2000 and Mary Donaldson at her wedding to Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark in 2004. It was even said to be identical to a design by Emilia Wickstead.
The dress has had a significant influence on bridal fashion, with its simplicity and modernity setting trends for years to come. It has become one of the most iconic celebrity wedding ensembles of all time, with many brides-to-be drawing inspiration from Markle's look.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you cannot buy Meghan Markle's wedding dress. The dress was designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller under the Givenchy label and was estimated to cost around \$265,000.
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller, the first female artistic director at the historic French fashion house Givenchy.
Meghan Markle's wedding dress is estimated to have cost around \$265,000, which was paid for by the bride herself.
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was made of double-bonded silk cady, with a soft matte and gracefully luminous effect. The dress had a contoured silhouette with a 16-foot-long train and a triple-silk organza underskirt.
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was inspired by her affinity for Audrey Hepburn, particularly the iconic Givenchy dress worn in the 1957 movie *Funny Face*. The dress also drew inspiration from the minimalist style of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.
