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Kate Middleton's wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, has become one of the most iconic bridal gowns of all time. The Duchess of Cambridge's dress featured a train that measured nearly nine feet long, which was relatively short compared to Princess Diana's 25-foot train. The intricate details of Middleton's train, including the 19th-century Carrickmacross lace-making technique and the 58 gazar and organza-covered buttons, made it a stunning sight. The dress, with its long sleeves and lace overlay, sparked a trend among celebrity brides and continues to capture the imagination of women around the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Designer | Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen |
| Length of the train | Nearly 9 feet |
| Something blue | Blue ribbon sewn inside the dress |
| Inspiration for the bodice | Victorian tradition of corsetry |
| Details on the back | 58 gazar and organza-covered buttons, fastened by Rouleau loops |
| Details on the veil | Hand-embroidered rose, thistle, daffodil, and shamrock motifs |
| Tiara | Cartier tiara gifted to the Queen on her 18th birthday |
| Wedding date | 29 April 2011 |
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What You'll Learn
- Kate Middleton's wedding dress train was nearly nine feet long
- The dress was designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen
- The gown was crafted using traditional workmanship and technical construction
- The train was appliquéd using Ireland's 19th-century Carrickmacross lace-making technique
- Kate's 'something blue' was a ribbon sewn into the dress
Kate Middleton's wedding dress train was nearly nine feet long
Kate Middleton's wedding dress was a sight to behold. Designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, the dress featured a nearly nine-foot-long train that created a dramatic entrance as she walked down the aisle at Westminster Abbey. The train, appliquéd using Ireland's 19th-century Carrickmacross lace-making technique, was carefully arranged by her sister, Pippa Middleton, as she stepped out of the car.
The choice of Alexander McQueen was a nod to the brand's "beauty of its craftsmanship and its respect for traditional workmanship and the technical construction of clothing," as stated by the Palace on the wedding day of Kate and Prince William. The gown combined "tradition and modernity with the artistic vision" characteristic of McQueen's work.
The attention to detail in the creation of the dress was remarkable. The team of seamstresses working on the gown washed their hands every 30 minutes to protect the pristine lace and threads. The needles were also renewed regularly to ensure they remained sharp and clean.
The dress featured 58 gazar and organza-covered buttons on the back, each fastened by Rouleau loops. The skirt, made of ivory and white satin gazar, was designed to resemble an opening flower, with padding at the hips that flowed out to the floor. The bodice was inspired by the Victorian tradition of corsetry, with a slight pad below the midsection.
The nearly nine-foot-long train of Kate Middleton's wedding dress was a key element that contributed to its iconic status. It sparked a trend of copycat gowns, even among celebrity brides, and continues to inspire brides-to-be with its timeless elegance and graceful style.
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The dress was designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen
The wedding dress of Catherine Middleton, now known as the Princess of Wales, was designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. Burton was the creative director of the luxury fashion house and had been McQueen's right-hand woman for years before succeeding him as the designer after his passing in 2010.
The dress was widely anticipated and generated much commentary in the media from fashion experts. It was noted for its design, symbolism, and expected influence on Western bridal gown trends. 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 during the annual summer exhibition.
The dress combined tradition and modernity, reflecting the artistic vision characteristic of Alexander McQueen's work. The lace bodice echoed that worn by Grace Kelly in 1956, while the Victorian-style bodice with padding at the hips and a narrowed waist was a signature McQueen design element. The ivory and white satin gazar skirt was made to resemble the opening of a flower, with arches and pleats. The lace designs included roses, thistles, daffodils, and shamrocks, representing the four nations of the United Kingdom.
The train of the dress, made with Solstiss lace, stretched to nearly nine feet in length, creating a dramatic entrance for the bride as she walked down the aisle. The dress also featured 58 gazar and organza-covered buttons, fastened by Rouleau loops, and a fully fleshed-out underskirt of silk tulle.
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The gown was crafted using traditional workmanship and technical construction
The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton's wedding dress was designed by Sarah Burton for the British brand Alexander McQueen. The gown was crafted using traditional workmanship and technical construction. The Palace revealed in a statement on Kate's wedding day with Prince William that she chose the brand for its "respect for traditional workmanship and the technical construction of clothing".
The gown was designed with a long-sleeved lace overlay and a fitted bodice inspired by the Victorian tradition of corsetry. The bodice narrowed at the waist and was padded slightly below the midsection. The skirt, made of ivory and white satin gazar, was designed to emulate an opening flower with padding at the hips, flowing to the floor. The back of the dress featured 58 gazar and organza-covered buttons, fastened by Rouleau loops. The train of the gown stretched nearly nine feet behind her as she walked down the aisle at Westminster Abbey.
The lace for the gown was sourced from France and England, and the dress was embroidered in the UK by a team from the Royal School of Needlework. The team of seamstresses working on the gown washed their hands every 30 minutes to protect the pristine lace and threads. The needles were renewed regularly to ensure they were sharp and clean. The gown also included a "something blue" ribbon sewn into the interior.
The gown has been described as combining "tradition and modernity with the artistic vision that characterizes Alexander McQueen’s work". The design has sparked a flurry of copycat gowns, even among celebrity brides, and is considered one of the most iconic royal wedding dresses.
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The train was appliquéd using Ireland's 19th-century Carrickmacross lace-making technique
The wedding dress of Kate Middleton, now the Princess of Wales, was designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. The gown featured a train that stretched nearly nine feet long. The train was appliquéd using Ireland's 19th-century Carrickmacross lace-making technique.
Carrickmacross lace is a distinctive style of lace making unique to Carrickmacross, Ireland, and is rooted in its history and cultural heritage. It was introduced in 1820 by Mrs Grey Porter, a rector's wife, as a way of providing employment for young women in rural Ireland. Inspired by Italian lace she had collected on her honeymoon, she adapted the designs and techniques, and taught them to local women.
The lace is characterised by a fine cambric cloth hand-stitched to a net background. The design is first appliquéd onto organdie, which is then stretched over a ground net and sewn with close stitches using a thin thread. The excess organdie is then cut away, leaving an elegant design. The work is then further embellished with decorative filling stitches, guipure, pops, and the very distinctive loop edge.
Carrickmacross lace was a popular choice for wedding veils, fine handkerchiefs, and for flounces to trim vestments in the Roman Catholic Church. It has been used by many international designers, including Sybil Connolly, Pat Crowley, and Vonnie Reynolds. The lace has also featured in several royal weddings, including Princess Diana's wedding dress, known as the 'Emmanuelle' dress.
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Kate's 'something blue' was a ribbon sewn into the dress
Kate Middleton's wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, has gone down in history as one of the most iconic royal wedding dresses. The Duchess of Cambridge's gown, with its long sleeves, lace ball gown, dramatic train, and "something blue", has inspired many celebrity copycats.
The "something blue" tradition is a British wedding custom. For her wedding to Prince William, Kate had a blue ribbon sewn into the interior of her dress. This was not only a tribute to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, who also had a blue ribbon sewn into her wedding dress, but it also served as a nod to the groom. The blue ribbon was sewn into the dress by Sarah Burton's team.
Kate's wedding dress was carefully crafted by a team of seamstresses, who washed their hands every 30 minutes to protect the pristine lace and threads. The dress featured a lace bodice and silk skirt, with a Victorian-inspired corseted bodice. The lace appliqué on the skirt and bodice was handmade by the Royal School of Needlework, using the 19th-century Carrickmacross lace-making technique from Ireland.
The train of Kate's wedding dress stretched nearly nine feet, creating a dramatic entrance into Westminster Abbey. The dress also featured 58 gazar and organza-covered buttons, each fastened by Rouleau loops, and an underskirt of silk tulle that gave the gown its shape. The bottom of the dress was designed to resemble an opening flower.
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Frequently asked questions
Princess Kate's wedding dress train was nearly 9 feet long.
Princess Kate's wedding dress was designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.
Princess Kate's "something blue" was a blue ribbon sewn into the interior of her dress.
Princess Kate's wedding bouquet featured myrtle, lily-of-the-valley, hyacinth, and sweet William.
