Rhiannon Hendricks
Princess Eugenie's wedding dress was designed by British-based label Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos. The dress was an ivory brocade fabric with a flowing train, folded shoulders, and a low back that revealed a scar from a back operation the princess had when she was 12. The dress was on display at Windsor Castle, along with her evening gown, which was designed by Zac Posen and inspired by Grace Kelly's outfits in the 1955 film 'To Catch a Thief'.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding dress designer | Peter Pilotto and Christopher de Vos |
| Evening gown designer | Zac Posen |
| Wedding dress fabric | Silk, cotton and viscose blend |
| Wedding dress symbols | Scottish thistle, Irish shamrock, White Rose of York, ivy |
| Wedding dress style | Wide-neck V shape, folded shoulders, low back, flowing full-length train |
| Evening gown fabric | British silk chiffon |
| Evening gown colour | Blush |
| Exhibition location | Windsor Castle |
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What You'll Learn
Princess Eugenie's wedding dress designers
Princess Eugenie of York wore two wedding dresses for her marriage to Jack Brooksbank in 2018. The dress she wore for the ceremony was designed by Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos, who founded the British-based label Peter Pilotto in London in 2007. The Princess worked closely with Pilotto and De Vos on the design of the gown, which was made layer by layer after several fittings. The fabric was custom-made and featured four symbols that were meaningful to the Princess and her husband-to-be: a thistle representing Scotland and their love for Balmoral, the White Rose of York (the family flower), a shamrock to pay homage to Eugenie's mother's heritage, and ivy, representing the couple's home. The dress also featured a wide-neck V shape, folded shoulders, and a low back that draped into a flowing full-length train. The low back design was intentional, as Princess Eugenie wanted to reveal a scoliosis scar on her back that she had had since she was 12 years old. She wanted to show her scar to redefine beauty norms and "get rid of a taboo".
For her evening reception, Princess Eugenie changed into a blush-coloured dress designed by American designer Zac Posen. The gown was made of British silk chiffon and incorporated a cape, subtly embroidered with the White Rose of York, gathered at the lower back and draping into a softly pleated full-length train. Posen said he took inspiration from the beauty of Windsor Castle and the surrounding countryside, as well as Princess Eugenie's family.
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The dress's unique design and features
Princess Eugenie's wedding dress was designed by British designer Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos, who founded the British-based label Peter Pilotto. The dress featured a unique portrait neckline that draped around the shoulders, leading to a low back that showed off Eugenie's scoliosis scar. The dress was developed layer by layer, starting with a corset and a complex underskirt, and was made from a blend of silk, cotton, and viscose. The fabric featured a garland-like pattern that incorporated four symbols central to the couple: a thistle for Scotland, a shamrock for Ireland, the York Rose, and ivy to represent their home.
The dress had a classic silhouette with modern twists, including a corseted bodice and a full pleated skirt, similar to those worn by Kate Middleton and the Queen. The low back was a specific request from the Princess, who wanted to show the scars from her surgery at age 12 to correct scoliosis. She also chose not to wear a veil, opting instead for an emerald-embellished tiara from the Queen's collection.
Princess Eugenie made a statement with her second wedding dress as well. Designed by American designer Zac Posen, the gown was cut from embroidered silk in a champagne shade with a hint of blush pink. The neckline formed a neat cape, and the dress featured long sleeves and a structured bodice. The choice of colour was inspired by the beauty of Windsor and the blush of an English rose.
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The meaning behind the dress's symbols
Princess Eugenie's wedding dress was designed by Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos, who reinterpreted several symbols meaningful to Princess Eugenie and her then-fiancé Jack Brooksbank in a garland of rope-like motifs. The fabric was then woven into a jacquard of silk, cotton, and viscose blend. The symbols and their meanings are as follows:
- A thistle representing Scotland and the couple's love for Balmoral.
- A shamrock for Ireland, paying homage to Princess Eugenie's maternal family, the Ferguson family.
- The York Rose, representing England.
- Ivy, symbolising the couple's home at Kensington Palace, Ivy Cottage.
Princess Eugenie also chose to wear an open-back design to display the scar from her childhood surgery for scoliosis. She stated in an interview, "I think you can change the way beauty is, and you can show people your scars and I think it’s really special to stand up for that".
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Princess Eugenie's second wedding dress
Princess Eugenie wore not one but two gorgeous dresses on her wedding day. For the ceremony, she wore a Peter Pilotto wedding dress, designed by Peter Pilotto and Christopher de Vos. The dress featured a low back, allowing Princess Eugenie to show off her scoliosis scar.
For her second wedding dress, Princess Eugenie wore a blush-coloured gown designed by Zac Posen. The dress featured long sheer sleeves, a wrapped bodice, a fitted waist, and a billowing train. The silk for the dress was sourced from Manchester. The pastel hue was inspired by the beauty of Windsor and the blush of an English rose. The gown also featured the White Rose of York embroidered on the shoulder and back, in tribute to Eugenie's heritage.
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The exhibition of the wedding dress
Princess Eugenie's wedding dress, which captured the world's attention, was put on display at an exhibition in Windsor Castle in 2019. The exhibition, titled "A Royal Wedding: HRH Princess Eugenie and Mr. Jack Brooksbank", featured the wedding outfits of the royal couple.
The dress, designed by Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos, included several meaningful symbols, such as the White Rose of York and ivy. Princess Eugenie specifically requested a low back design to display her scar from surgery for scoliosis, aiming to break the taboo around scars. The exhibition also included the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara, loaned to Eugenie by Queen Elizabeth, and her diamond and emerald drop earrings, a wedding gift from her groom.
In addition to the wedding dress, the exhibition featured Jack Brooksbank's morning suit, made by Huntsman of Savile Row, London. Princess Beatrice, the maid of honour, wore a blue dress with an asymmetrical neckline by Ralph & Russo, and a blue and purple headpiece by British milliner Sarah Cant. The exhibition also displayed a replica of Princess Eugenie's bridal bouquet, designed by Rob Van Helden Floral Design, and her evening gown, designed by Zac Posen, inspired by the beauty of Windsor Castle and its surrounding countryside.
The exhibition provided a unique opportunity for the public to view Princess Eugenie's wedding ensemble up close and learn about the personal significance of its design. It showcased the intricate details and symbolism incorporated into the dress, reflecting Princess Eugenie's life and experiences.
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Frequently asked questions
Princess Eugenie's wedding dress was designed by British-based label Peter Pilotto and Christopher de Vos.
Princess Eugenie's wedding dress was an ivory brocade gown with a flowing train, folded shoulders, and a low back. The dress featured a wide-neck V shape, a corseted bodice, and a full pleated skirt.
Princess Eugenie chose to wear a low-back wedding dress to reveal the scars on her back from a scoliosis operation she underwent at the age of 12. She wanted to "show people [her] scars" and "get rid of a taboo".
Princess Eugenie's wedding dress fabric featured symbols that were meaningful to her, including a Scottish thistle, a shamrock, the White Rose of York, and ivy. These symbols represented the couple's love for Balmoral, the bride's maternal family, the bride's family flower, and their home, respectively.
Princess Eugenie's wedding dress is on display at Windsor Castle as part of an exhibition organised by the Royal Collection Trust. The exhibition also features her evening gown, tiara, and wedding earrings, as well as the wedding outfits of her husband, Jack Brooksbank, and her maid of honour, Princess Beatrice.
