Junior Rasmussen
Kate Middleton's wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, has become an iconic symbol of modern British royalty. The dress, which combined tradition and modernity, featured a lace collar, long sleeves, and a narrowed waist, inspired by the Victorian tradition of corsetry. With its intricate details, such as the hand-embroidered flowers on her veil and the something blue sewn into the dress, the world was swept up in the romance of the royal wedding.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding dress designer | Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen |
| Wedding dress style | Victorian-inspired silhouette with a narrowed waist and padded hips |
| "Something blue" | Blue ribbon sewn into the interior of the dress |
| Wedding date | 2011 |
| Wedding location | Westminster Abbey |
| Wedding bouquet | Lily-of-the-valley, sweet William, hyacinth, ivy, and myrtle |
| Wedding veil | Ivory silk tulle veil with hand-embroidered flowers |
| Tiara | Cartier Halo tiara, also known as the Cartier Scroll tiara |
| Second wedding dress designer | Not mentioned |
| Second wedding dress style | Ivory satin with a sweetheart neckline, circle skirt, and diamante belt |
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What You'll Learn
Kate Middleton's wedding dress designer
The now Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, wore two wedding dresses designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen on her wedding day on 29 April 2011. The dresses were a combination of tradition and modernity with a nod to traditional Victorian silhouettes. The dressmaker reportedly sewed a blue ribbon on the inside of the dress for Middleton's "something blue". The dress was narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips, influenced by the Victorian tradition of corsetry. The lace collar and long sleeves drew comparisons to Grace Kelly's iconic wedding dress.
The second dress, worn at an intimate reception at Buckingham Palace, was made of smooth ivory satin with a sweetheart neckline, a circle skirt, and a diamante belt. The Duchess of Cambridge wore a modest white angora bolero over her shoulders.
The dressmaker, Sarah Burton, was not publicly announced until the bride arrived at Westminster Abbey before the service. Burton had been Alexander McQueen's right-hand woman for years and was named as the designer's successor after he died in 2010.
The dress was widely anticipated and generated much comment in the media. Replicas of the dress were produced and sold, and the original dress was displayed at Buckingham Palace from 23 July 2011 to 3 October 2011.
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The dress's Victorian influence
Kate Middleton's wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton, the creative director of Alexander McQueen, was a fusion of tradition and modernity. The dress was noted for its design, symbolism, and expected influence on Western bridal gown trends. The Victorian influence on the dress was evident in several ways.
Firstly, the dress featured a narrowed waist and padded hips, characteristic of the Victorian tradition of corsetry, a hallmark of Alexander McQueen designs. This silhouette was a nod to the traditional techniques of Victorian corsetry while also showcasing McQueen's signature style. The bodice, with its slight padding at the hips and narrowed waist, exemplified this blend of Victorian corsetry and modern design.
Secondly, the dress incorporated a Victorian bustle detail at the back, adding a subtle edge to the classic wedding dress silhouette. This "Victorian bustle" was described as giving the dress a "punky edge" by fashion historian Sarah Collins. The bustle detail highlighted how the dress respected tradition while also pushing the boundaries of fashion, a signature of both Burton and Alexander McQueen.
Additionally, the lace appliqué on the dress was created using the Carrickmacross lace-making technique, which originated in Ireland in the 1820s. This technique involved hand-cutting lace flowers, such as roses, thistles, daffodils, and shamrocks, and applying them to ivory silk tulle. The use of this traditional lace-making technique further emphasised the Victorian influence on the dress, blending historical references with modern elements.
The choice of Burton as the designer was also significant in terms of the Victorian influence. Burton was known for her expertise in corsetry and her ability to blend historical references with modern fashion. By selecting Burton, Middleton emphasised the message that the royal family would continue to respect tradition while also embracing contemporary styles. This blend of tradition and modernity in the dress design, influenced by Victorian trends, helped to cement the monarchy's transition into a new era.
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The dress's 'something blue'
Kate Middleton's wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, has become an iconic symbol of modern bridal fashion. The dress, which Middleton wore when she married Prince William in 2011, is known for its elegant silhouette and intricate details.
The dress's "something blue" was a blue ribbon sewn into the interior of the dress. This was a tribute to Middleton's late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, who also had a small blue ribbon stitched inside her wedding gown. Some speculate that Middleton may have even used the same ribbon that was in Diana's dress. This tradition of including "something blue" in a wedding dress is a long-standing one, often symbolising a bride's commitment to her new husband.
The dress, with its long lace sleeves and dramatic train, was a mixture of white and ivory satin gazar. The main body of the dress was smooth and stiff, holding the shape often associated with McQueen creations. The bodice was inspired by the Victorian tradition of corsetry, with a slight padding below the midsection and a narrowed waist. The lace appliqué on the skirt and bodice was handmade by the Royal School of Needlework, using the Carrickmacross lace-making technique from Ireland.
The "something blue" detail in Kate Middleton's wedding dress adds a touch of sentimentality and tradition to an otherwise modern and elegant bridal gown, reflecting the bride's personal style and taste.
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The dress's lace appliqué bodice
Kate Middleton's wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, was an ivory silk tulle veil with hand-embroidered flowers. The dress featured a lace appliqué bodice, long lace sleeves, and a narrow waist, with padding at the hips. The bodice was inspired by the Victorian tradition of corsetry, a style that is also an Alexander McQueen hallmark. The lace collar and long sleeves drew comparisons to Grace Kelly's iconic wedding dress.
The team of seamstresses working on the dress washed their hands every 30 minutes to protect the pristine lace and threads. The needles were renewed every few hours to ensure they were sharp and clean. The gown's skirt was designed to echo an opening flower, with white satin gazar arches and pleats that pooled into a train measuring two meters and 70 centimeters (almost nine feet). The back of the bodice was adorned with buttons covered in gazar and organza, fastened by Rouleau loops.
The dress, with its combination of tradition and modernity, has been described as \"unforgettable\" and \"iconic,\" joining the ranks of the most famous royal wedding dresses in history. It was displayed in the Ballroom at Buckingham Palace during the annual summer opening in 2011, just months after the wedding.
The Duchess of Cambridge's \"something blue\" was a blue ribbon sewn into the interior of the dress by Burton's team. This tradition of including "something blue" in a wedding dress is said to symbolize purity, love, and fidelity. The dress also featured a lace collar and long sleeves, with a second, more intimate wedding dress made of smooth ivory satin, a sweetheart neckline, and a circle skirt.
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The dress's second look
Kate Middleton's wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, has become an iconic symbol of modern royalty. The dress, with its intricate lace appliqué bodice and long sleeves, drew comparisons to Grace Kelly's iconic wedding dress.
The second dress, often less talked about, was just as elegant and ideal for the intimate reception at Buckingham Palace. This dress was also designed by Sarah Burton and made of smooth ivory satin. It featured a sweetheart neckline, a circle skirt, and a diamante belt that accentuated Middleton's slim waist. The Duchess wore a modest white angora bolero over her shoulders, adding a touch of modesty and warmth to her evening look.
The second dress, like the first, incorporated traditional elements with a modern twist. The sweetheart neckline and circle skirt gave the dress a classic, timeless feel, while the diamante belt added a touch of sparkle and glamour. The white angora bolero provided a delicate, soft contrast to the structured silhouette of the dress, creating an overall romantic and ethereal aesthetic.
The attention to detail in both dresses is remarkable. The team of seamstresses working on the first dress washed their hands every 30 minutes to protect the pristine lace and threads, and needles were replaced every few hours to ensure sharpness and cleanliness. Similarly, the second dress likely underwent meticulous construction, with Burton's signature attention to craftsmanship and technical construction.
The Duchess of Cambridge's wedding ensemble, including both dresses, has become a source of inspiration for brides worldwide, with many celebrity copycats hoping to emulate her graceful and timeless style.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Kate Middleton wore a corset under her wedding dress. The bodice of the dress was inspired by the Victorian tradition of corsetry, with a narrowed waist and padding at the hips.
Kate Middleton's wedding dress was designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.
The dress featured French Chantilly lace and English Cluny lace throughout the bodice, skirt, and underskirt. The veil was made of ivory silk tulle.
The dress was a fitted white V-neck gown with long lace sleeves and a lace overlay. The skirt featured white satin gazar arches and pleats that created a train measuring 2.7 meters (almost nine feet) long.
