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Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Givenchy's then-creative director, Clare Waight Keller. Markle's custom dress was made from double-bonded silk cady and cushioned by an underskirt in triple silk organza. The dress is reported to have cost between $236,000 and $265,000, with the veil alone taking 3,900 hours to embroider. While the royal family covered an estimated £32 million of the wedding's total cost of $42.8 million, it is thought that Meghan paid for her dress herself. As a successful Hollywood actress, Meghan certainly had the means to fund her wedding dress, which is estimated to have cost £110,000.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Designer | Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy |
| Cost | £110,000 ($236,000 or $265,000) |
| Paid by | Meghan Markle |
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What You'll Learn
Meghan Markle paid for her own wedding dress
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Givenchy's then-creative director, Clare Waight Keller. Markle chose to work closely with Keller on the design because of her "timeless and elegant aesthetic, impeccable tailoring, and relaxed demeanour", according to Kensington Palace. The dress was made from double-bonded silk cady, cushioned by an underskirt in triple silk organza. Markle's veil alone took 3,900 hours to embroider.
The dress reportedly cost £110,000, and Markle paid for it herself. Markle is a wealthy and independent woman, and she had been paying for her own clothes since her engagement to Prince Harry was announced. She is also a successful Hollywood actress, with an estimated net worth of around $5 million.
The royal family covered an estimated £32 million for the Sussexes' wedding. However, it is unclear whether Markle paid for her dress in full or received any financial assistance from her family or the royal budget. In comparison, Kate Middleton's wedding dress for her wedding to Prince William in 2011 cost £250,000, paid for by her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton.
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The dress was designed by Givenchy's Clare Waight Keller
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. Waight Keller was the first female artistic director of the French fashion house, succeeding a line of stellar talent, including John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Julien Macdonald, and Riccardo Tisci. Waight Keller is a British designer who previously served as the creative head at Pringle of Scotland and Chloe.
The dress was pure white, made from silk tulle, and featured a bateau neckline, clean lines, and three-quarter-length sleeves. It was designed to be timeless and elegant, reflecting Meghan's personal style. The dress was widely praised for its simplicity and understated elegance.
The veil, which was 16 feet long, was a collaborative vision between Meghan and Waight Keller. It featured delicate embroidery of the 53 flowers of the Commonwealth countries, as well as the Wintersweet flower from Kensington Palace and the California poppy, representing Meghan's home state. The veil alone took 3,900 hours to embroider.
The choice of Waight Keller as the designer may have been influenced by her position as the brand's first female creative director, aligning with Meghan's values and desire for a timeless and elegant design. The dress is estimated to have cost around $265,000, with the entire ensemble, including the veil and tiara, costing upwards of £387,000.
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The dress was made from double-bonded silk cady
The wedding dress of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and former actor, was designed by Givenchy's then-creative director, Clare Waight Keller. The dress was made from double-bonded silk cady, a fabric chosen for its captivating visual effect. Silk cady is an elegant fabric made on lustrous silk warp yarns with a weave that is double-faced in weft. The weft is a matte silk crepe that covers almost all of the shine of the warp, creating a semi-crepe texture, fluid drape, and gentle sheen. This fabric is often chosen for wedding dresses, as it is known for its graceful and flattering fit. The dress was structured with clean lines and three-quarter-length sleeves, accented by a 16-foot cathedral veil adorned with Meghan's two favourite flowers: Wintersweet, found in Kensington Palace, and the California poppy, from her birthplace. The veil took 3,900 hours to embroider, contributing to the high cost of the ensemble. The dress itself was cushioned by an underskirt in triple silk organza, ensuring a comfortable and elegant fit for the Duchess on her wedding day.
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The veil took 3,900 hours to embroider
The veil Meghan Markle wore at her wedding to Prince Harry on May 19, 2018, took 3,900 hours to embroider. The veil was 16 feet long and featured floral embroidery representing the flora of the 53 Commonwealth countries. Markle's wedding dress was designed by Givenchy's then-creative director, Clare Waight Keller, who also designed the veil. The veil was embroidered by around 50 atelier members, who also worked on Markle's dress, shoes, and bridesmaids' dresses. The veil took longer to embroider than Rihanna's Met Gala Pope outfit, which took 750 hours to sew and hand-embroider.
The dress itself was made from double-bonded silk cady, with an underskirt in triple silk organza. It featured clean lines and three-quarter-length sleeves, and a slightly raised hemline, providing a peek of Markle's silk duchess satin couture heels. The dress is estimated to have cost around $265,000, with the veil alone taking 3,900 hours to embroider. The entire outfit, including the dress and veil, took around four months to create, with eight fittings and five months of clandestine communication between Markle and Waight Keller.
The veil featured two of Markle's favourite flowers: Wintersweet, found in Kensington Palace, and the California poppy, representing where she was born. The embroidery on the veil impressed King Charles III, who asked Waight Keller about it while waiting inside the nave. The overall look of the dress and veil was described by Waight Keller as "the highest form of service in fashion."
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The dress cost more than Kate Middleton's
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Givenchy's then-creative director, Clare Waight Keller. The dress was made from double-bonded silk cady, cushioned by an underskirt in triple silk organza. The veil alone took 3,900 hours to embroider. The dress is estimated to have cost $265,000, which is more than what Kate Middleton spent on her wedding dress.
Kate Middleton's wedding dress cost £250,000, which is approximately $325,000. Kate's dress was designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen and featured a long-sleeve lace design. Meghan's dress, on the other hand, was a departure from the usual royal wedding style, with no lace, embroidery, or other decorations. It featured an off-the-shoulder neckline and three-quarter-length sleeves, giving it a contemporary and progressive feel while still respecting tradition.
The higher cost of Meghan's dress can be attributed to the time and effort invested in its creation. The veil, for example, took 3,900 hours to design and embroider. Additionally, there were eight fittings and five months of clandestine communication between Meghan and the design team. The fabric for the dress was sourced from fabric mills across Europe to create the desired effect.
The choice of designer may have also contributed to the higher cost. Clare Waight Keller is the first female artistic director of the French fashion house Givenchy. Meghan's decision to work with Keller may have been influenced by her position as the brand's first female creative director, as well as her timeless and elegant aesthetic, impeccable tailoring, and relaxed demeanour.
In conclusion, Meghan Markle's wedding dress cost more than Kate Middleton's, with estimates placing it at around $265,000. The higher cost can be attributed to the intricate design and embroidery of the veil, the collaboration between Meghan and the design team, the sourcing of specialty fabrics, and the choice of designer. Meghan's dress also stood out for its unique design, departing from the traditional royal wedding style, and reflected her personal style and spirit.
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Frequently asked questions
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Givenchy's then-creative director, Clare Waight Keller.
Meghan Markle's wedding dress is estimated to have cost between $236,000 and $265,000.
Yes, Meghan Markle paid for her wedding dress herself.
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was made from double-bonded silk cady, cushioned by an underskirt in triple silk organza.
