Deborah Chan
Princess Kate's wedding dress is one of the most memorable royal wedding looks of all time. The dress, which was designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, featured handmade lace, floral appliqués, long sleeves, a deep V-neck, and an eight-foot train. The dress was put on display at Buckingham Palace in 2011, and more than 600,000 people came to see it. However, it is unclear where the dress is now.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of display | 22 July 2011 to 3 October 2011 |
| Location | Ballroom at Buckingham Palace |
| Number of visitors | 600,000 |
| Current status | Unclear |
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What You'll Learn
Kate Middleton's wedding dress designer
Kate Middleton's wedding dress was designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen. Burton had been artistic director at Alexander McQueen for a decade when she was commissioned to create one of the most anticipated wedding dresses in history.
The gown was made in collaboration with Middleton, who wished for her dress to "combine tradition and modernity with the artistic vision that characterizes Alexander McQueen’s work". The dress featured a Victorian-style bodice, inspired by the Victorian tradition of corsetry, and a lengthy train that stretched nearly nine feet. The lace appliqué on the skirt and bodice was handmade by the Royal School of Needlework, based at Hampton Court Palace, using the Carrickmacross lace-making technique. The lace design included roses, thistles, daffodils, and shamrocks, representing the national flowers of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, respectively.
The dress was revealed to the world when Middleton stepped out of her car at Westminster Abbey on her wedding day on 29 April 2011. The dress was widely anticipated and generated much comment in the media, with fashion experts noting its traditional design and expected influence on bridal gown trends. Replicas of the dress were quickly produced and sold, and the original dress was on display at Buckingham Palace during the summer of 2011.
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The dress on display at Buckingham Palace
Kate Middleton's wedding dress was put on display at Buckingham Palace in 2011, following her marriage to Prince William. The dress was exhibited in the Ballroom at Buckingham Palace for the annual summer opening, from 22 July to 3 October. The display attracted more than 600,000 people from around the world.
The gown, designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen, featured a combination of tradition and modernity. The dress boasted handmade lace, floral appliqués, long sleeves, a deep V-neck, and an eight-foot train. The lace appliqué on the skirt and bodice was crafted by the Royal School of Needlework, using the 19th-century Carrickmacross lace-making technique. The team of seamstresses washed their hands every 30 minutes to protect the pristine lace and threads.
The exhibition of Kate Middleton's wedding dress at Buckingham Palace was met with some mixed feelings. A viral video from 2011 showed the late Queen Elizabeth II commenting on the display, pointing out the "macabre" nature of the headless mannequin. However, the dress has earned its place as one of the most beloved in bridal fashion history.
The dress was one of three looks created by Burton for the royal wedding, including the bride's second gown and Pippa Middleton's maid-of-honour dress. The second gown, worn by Kate to the evening reception at Buckingham Palace, was a white strapless satin creation paired with a matching shrug.
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The dress's Victorian influence
Kate Middleton's wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, was a nod to the Victorian era. The Victorian influence is most notable in the design of the bodice, which was inspired by the Victorian tradition of corsetry, with a slight padding at the hips, narrowing at the waist, and flaring out at the bottom. This particular style is also an Alexander McQueen hallmark. The lace appliqué on the bodice, skirt, and underskirt trim was created using the Carrickmacross lace-making technique, which originated in Ireland in the 1820s. This technique involves creating handmade lace flowers, such as roses, thistles, daffodils, and shamrocks, which are then individually cut out and applied to ivory silk tulle. The lace motifs were cut from machine-made lace and stitched to silk net, a technique influenced by traditional Carrickmacross lace-making.
The choice of Alexander McQueen as the designer was also influenced by the brand's respect for traditional workmanship and technical construction. The dress featured a combination of tradition and modernity, with intricate lace embroidery paying tribute to the United Kingdom. The dress was created with extreme secrecy, and the design remained under wraps until the wedding day. The gown was estimated to cost £250,000, although this was dismissed by a Clarence House spokesperson. The dress was later displayed at Buckingham Palace, breaking royal records and attracting worldwide attention.
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The lace appliqué on the gown
The lace appliqué on Kate Middleton's wedding dress was created by the Royal School of Needlework, based at Hampton Court Palace. The lace was handmade using the Carrickmacross lace-making technique, which originated in Ireland in the 1820s. The process involved individually cutting out lace flowers, including roses, thistles, daffodils, and shamrocks, and applying them to ivory silk tulle. The bodice, skirt, and underskirt trim were crafted from English and French Chantilly lace, with the latter being the only fabric not sourced from a British company.
The team of seamstresses working on the lace appliqué was meticulous in their approach. They washed their hands every 30 minutes to protect the pristine quality of the lace and threads, and needles were renewed every three hours to ensure sharpness and cleanliness. This attention to detail contributed to the overall elegance and craftsmanship of the gown.
The lace appliqué bodice featured gazar and organza-covered buttons, fastened by Rouleau loops. The design of the skirt echoed an opening flower, with white satin gazar arches and pleats that created a train measuring two meters and 70 centimeters (almost nine feet). The lace appliqué train added a touch of grandeur to the overall look.
The lace appliqué on Kate Middleton's wedding dress was not only visually stunning but also held symbolic meaning. The floral motifs, including roses, thistles, daffodils, and shamrocks, may have represented England, Scotland, and Ireland, reflecting the unity of the United Kingdom. Additionally, the lace appliqué bodice, inspired by Victorian corsetry, accentuated the waist and added a touch of timeless elegance to the gown.
Overall, the intricate lace appliqué on Kate Middleton's wedding dress showcased the exceptional skills of the Royal School of Needlework and contributed to the iconic status of the gown in bridal fashion history. The combination of delicate lacework, traditional techniques, and modern design elements made it a memorable and beloved aspect of the Princess of Wales's wedding ensemble.
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The dress's cost
Kate Middleton's wedding dress was designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen. The dress featured a long-sleeve V-neck design, with an eight-foot train, handmade lace, and floral appliqués. The dress was inspired by Grace Kelly's 1956 wedding gown and featured Victorian-style corsetry. The lace appliqué on the skirt and bodice was handmade by the Royal School of Needlework, using the Carrickmacross lace-making technique. The dressmakers hand-cut lace flowers, including roses, thistles, daffodils, and shamrocks, which were added to ivory silk tulle. The dress was created with meticulous care, with seamstresses washing their hands every 30 minutes and needles being renewed every three hours.
The dress is estimated to have cost £250,000, or $434,000, and was paid for by Kate's parents, Carole and Michael Middleton. The final cost may have been influenced by the dress's intricate details and the use of expensive fabrics and lace. The dress was first displayed at Buckingham Palace for four months during the summer of 2011, attracting over 600,000 visitors. The display caused some controversy, with a video of Queen Elizabeth II commenting on the exhibit going viral. The dress has since become one of the most iconic wedding dresses in history, with its elegance and attention to detail capturing the world's imagination.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it was on display at Buckingham Palace from July 22 to October 3, 2011, as part of a royal wedding exhibition.
The dress was designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen.
The exhibition brought out more than 600,000 people from around the world. However, it seems that Queen Elizabeth II had mixed feelings about the display. A video of her commenting on the exhibition went viral on TikTok.
