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The wedding dress of Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has been described as one of her most iconic style moments. Designed by Givenchy's then-creative director, Clare Waight Keller, the dress reportedly cost $265,000, though estimates vary, with some claiming it cost closer to $400,000 or even $500,000. The dress was made of high-quality fabric, including triple silk organza, and featured custom hand-embroidery. Markle, a successful actress before joining the royal family, paid for the dress herself, which is standard for royal weddings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Designer | Givenchy's then-creative director, Clare Waight Keller |
| Cost | $265,000, though some estimates place it closer to $400,000 or even $500,000 |
| Fabric | Silk and organza |
| Style | Simple, with clean lines, a bateau neckline, three-quarter-length sleeves, and a sculpted waistline that fell into a train |
| Veil | 16 feet long, made of silk and organza, and took hundreds of hours to sew |
| Tiara | Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau Tiara |
| "Something Blue" | A piece of fabric from the dress Meghan wore on her first date with Prince Harry |
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What You'll Learn
The designer: Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. Waight Keller, a British designer, became the first female artistic director of the French fashion house in 2017. Markle chose Waight Keller because she wanted to highlight the success of a leading British talent, and due to the designer's elegant aesthetic and relaxed demeanour.
Waight Keller's design for Markle's wedding dress was minimal and classic, featuring an open bateau neckline, three-quarter-length sleeves, and an A-frame silk organza skirt with a sculpted waist. The dress was made of double-bonded silk cady, with an underskirt made of triple silk organza. The simplicity of the dress was complemented by a 16-foot (or 25-foot, according to another source) silk veil, which was embroidered with flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, as well as the California poppy, honouring Markle's home state. The veil took 500 or 3,900 hours to create, depending on the source.
Waight Keller stated that the dress sought to "convey modernity through sleek lines and sharp cuts", while paying homage to the history of the Givenchy house. The designer also revealed that the dress was inspired by Markle's affinity for Audrey Hepburn, specifically Hepburn's iconic Givenchy dress from the 1957 movie 'Funny Face'. Markle and Waight Keller worked together in secret for five months on the design, with the designer noting that it was a very special and discreet collaboration.
Waight Keller's relationship with Markle extended beyond the wedding day. The designer dressed Markle for Ascot, the trooping of the colour ceremony, and Remembrance Sunday. When Waight Keller won the British Designer of the Year award in 2018, it was presented by Markle, who made a surprise appearance while heavily pregnant and wearing a black, off-the-shoulder Givenchy dress.
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The cost: estimated between $265,000 and $500,000
Meghan Markle's wedding dress, designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, is estimated to have cost between $265,000 and $500,000. The Duchess of Sussex personally paid for the gown, in keeping with royal tradition. The dress's cost was influenced by several factors, including the use of high-quality materials, handcrafted details, and the bespoke nature of the design.
The dress was crafted from double-bonded silk cady, with an underskirt made of triple silk organza. The simplicity of the dress was complemented by a 16-foot cathedral veil, which featured intricate embroidery. The veil took 3,900 hours to create and included flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, as well as the California poppy, honouring Meghan's home state.
The bespoke nature of the gown also contributed to its cost. The dress was tailored specifically for Meghan, with multiple fittings and personalised design elements. The small team of ateliers in Paris had only five months to manufacture both the dress and the veil.
The wedding dress of Meghan Markle has become an iconic piece in bridal fashion history. Its minimalist design, featuring a boat neckline and three-quarter-length sleeves, made a "solid fashion statement" and defied royal wedding fashion trends. The gown's timeless elegance and departure from traditional royal looks have made it one of the most memorable celebrity wedding ensembles of all time.
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The bride paid: Meghan Markle covered the cost herself
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. Markle chose Keller due to her "elegant aesthetic" and "relaxed demeanour". The dress was made in Paris and featured a boat neckline, three-quarter-length sleeves, and a train with a built-in triple silk organza underskirt. The gown was noted for its minimalist design, a departure from previous royal looks.
The exact cost of the dress remains undisclosed, but it is estimated to have been between £110,000 and £387,000, or around $265,000. The bride, Meghan Markle, personally covered the cost of the dress herself, as is royal tradition. The dress was likely very expensive due to the use of high-quality materials, such as double-bonded silk cady and triple silk organza, the handcrafted details, and the bespoke design.
The veil, which was 16 feet long according to some sources and 25 feet long according to others, featured intricate embroidery of flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, the California poppy in honour of Markle's home state, and wintersweet, a flower that grows at Kensington Palace. The veil alone required 3,900 hours of work. The dress also incorporated fabric from Diana's wedding gown, a piece of the blue dress from Markle's first date with Prince Harry, and jewellery (new).
The process of designing and creating the dress involved eight fittings and five months of collaboration between Markle and the design team. The dress was inspired by Markle's affinity for Audrey Hepburn and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, with the former's iconic Givenchy dress from the 1957 movie Funny Face inspiring the off-the-shoulder neckline.
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The fabric: silk and organza
The fabric of Meghan Markle's wedding dress was a key element that contributed to its overall elegance and high cost. The dress was made of silk and organza, with the main body of the gown crafted from double-bonded silk crepe. This fabric choice gave the dress its simple, sleek, and timeless look, which was a surprise to many who expected a more elaborate royal wedding dress.
The silk crepe fabric was chosen not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its ability to drape and flow gracefully. Silk is known for its luxurious feel and fluidity, making it an ideal choice for a wedding gown. The silk used for Markle's dress was of the highest quality, contributing to the overall cost of the ensemble.
The organza fabric was another key component of the dress, used specifically for the train. Triple silk organza was selected for its ability to create a structured yet lightweight train that fell elegantly from the sculpted waistline of the gown. Organza is known for its sheer, delicate appearance, adding a touch of softness and romance to the design.
The combination of silk and organza created a harmonious balance between simplicity and grandeur. The fabric choices also allowed for a range of design possibilities, as silk can be easily manipulated and organza can be layered or shaped to create volume. This versatility likely contributed to the creative process between Markle and designer Clare Waight Keller of Givenchy.
The fabrication of the dress was a labour-intensive process, requiring hundreds of hours of skilled craftsmanship. The fine details, such as the clean lines, structured three-quarter sleeves, and bateau neckline, would have involved meticulous work with these luxurious fabrics. The result was a wedding dress that not only looked stunning but also moved and flowed gracefully, befitting the occasion and the bride's personal style.
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The design: simple, with clean lines and three-quarter length sleeves
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller under the Givenchy label. Markle's gown was simple and timeless, with clean lines and three-quarter-length sleeves. It was made of double-bonded silk with a bateau neckline and a sculpted waistline that fell into a train of triple silk organza. The dress was designed with a structured silhouette and a relaxed aesthetic, reflecting the codes of the House of Givenchy.
The silk and organza veil that complemented the dress took hundreds of hours to sew. The workers had to wash their hands every 30 minutes to maintain the pristine condition of the tulle and threads. The veil also included a subtle "something blue" detail, as a piece of blue fabric from the dress Markle wore on her first date with Prince Harry was stitched inside.
The dress was estimated to cost around $265,000, but some sources claim it could have been closer to $400,000 or even $500,000. The high cost was due to several factors, including the use of the highest quality fabrics, the custom nature of the design, and the extensive hand-embroidery.
Markle's wedding dress was a departure from traditional royal looks, known for their lace, embellishments, and voluminous silhouettes. Instead, her choice of a simple and elegant gown with clean lines and three-quarter-length sleeves set a new trend for bridal fashion, showcasing her personal style and making it one of her most iconic fashion moments.
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Frequently asked questions
The cost of Megan Markle's wedding dress has been estimated to be around $265,000, but some believe it could be closer to $400,000 or even $500,000.
Megan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy.
Megan Markle's wedding dress was made of silk and featured a silk organza veil. The dress was designed with clean lines and three-quarter-length sleeves.
Megan Markle paid for her wedding dress herself. As a successful actress, she had the funds to cover the cost, and it is standard for the bride to pay for her dress in royal weddings.
