Deborah Chan
Meghan Markle's wedding dress sparked controversy when designer Emilia Wickstead accused the bride of copying one of her designs. Markle's dress, designed by Givenchy, bore a striking resemblance to Wickstead's Helene wedding dress, featuring a similar boat neck and long sleeves. The designer pointed out the similarities, claiming that the dresses were identical. This accusation, along with Wickstead's criticism of the dress's fit and Markle's hairstyle, created a buzz among commentators and royal watchers, igniting a debate about the inspiration behind the royal wedding gown.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Person accused of copying | Meghan Markle |
| Accuser | Designer Emilia Wickstead |
| Dress copied | "Helene wedding dress" by Emilia Wickstead |
| Dress copied design elements | Boat neck, long sleeves |
| Additional criticism | Ill-fitting, loose, hair not held back |
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What You'll Learn
Emilia Wickstead accuses Meghan Markle of copying her wedding dress design
In May 2018, designer Emilia Wickstead accused Meghan Markle of copying her wedding dress design. Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy and was estimated to be worth between $250,000 and $400,000. Wickstead, a favourite designer of Kate Middleton, claimed that Markle's dress was "identical" to one of her own bridal designs, the "Helene wedding dress", which retails for approximately $10,000.
Wickstead's exact words, as reported by the Daily Mail, were:
> "Her dress is identical to one of our dresses. Apparently, a lot of commentators were saying, 'It’s an Emilia Wickstead dress.' [...] If you choose a simple design, the fit should be perfect."
However, in a statement posted on her Instagram account, Wickstead denied making these comments and expressed her admiration for Markle and the House of Givenchy:
> "I am extremely saddened by commentary that has appeared in the press and online over the past few days. Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Sussex looked absolutely beautiful on her wedding day and I have the utmost admiration and respect for her. I do not think that her wedding dress was a copy of any of our designs. I have the greatest respect for Clare Waight Keller and the House of Givenchy—a huge source of inspiration to me. I wish Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex a wonderful, happy and love-filled life together."
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Meghan Markle's Givenchy wedding dress
Meghan Markle's wedding dress, designed by Givenchy's then-creative director, Clare Waight Keller, was an off-shoulder gown with a sleek and sharp silhouette. The dress featured three-quarter-length sleeves, an open boat neckline, and a train with a built-in triple silk organza underskirt. It was made of silk and had a slightly raised hemline, providing a glimpse of Markle's silk duchess satin couture heels. The design process involved eight fittings and five months of clandestine communication between Markle and Waight Keller, who worked closely to create a timeless and minimalist look. The dress was manufactured in Paris by a small team of ateliers, who sewed for hundreds of hours, ensuring the threads and tulle remained immaculate.
The veil, also designed by Waight Keller, was 16.5 feet long and made of silk tulle. It was embroidered with flowers representing the distinctive flora of each of the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, as well as the California poppy and wintersweet, a flower that grows at Kensington Palace. The veil was held in place by Queen Mary's diamond bandeau tiara, loaned to Markle by the Queen, and complemented by Cartier earrings and a bracelet.
The choice of designer was an unexpected one, as London-based brands Ralph & Russo and Erdem were initially considered favourites. Markle chose Waight Keller because she admired the designer's elegant aesthetic, impeccable tailoring, and relaxed demeanour. She also wanted to highlight the success of a leading British talent leading globally influential fashion houses. The dress received mixed reviews from the public and fashion commentators, with some praising its beauty and others criticising its fit and finish.
The dress has been compared to other notable wedding gowns, including those worn by Angela Brown, Mary Donaldson, and Audrey Hepburn in the film Funny Face. It has also been likened to designs by Emilia Wickstead and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, the latter of whom Markle has long admired for her simple and elegant wedding gown. Overall, the Givenchy wedding dress worn by Meghan Markle was a highly anticipated and memorable creation that has left an impact on bridal fashion.
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$59.98 $65.99
The Helene wedding dress by Emilia Wickstead
Emilia Wickstead offers a wide range of classic and contemporary bridalwear to suit all personalities. Her signature silhouettes are voluminous with high necks and T-shirt bodices, capturing the allure of the 50s Parisian salon. The first collection includes nine dresses and one jumpsuit.
The Helene dress is one of the dresses in the first collection and has been described as "chic" and "now". It is a favourite of jewellery blogger Liza Urla's fiancé, who preferred it over other styles in the collection.
For those interested in the Helene dress, alterations and fittings can be made upon request at the Sloane Street store.
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Markle's wedding dress hairstyle
Meghan Markle's wedding hairstyle was a perfectly timeless and simple half-up-half-down look, complemented by minimal wedding makeup and a dazzling bandeau tiara. Markle's hair was styled by celebrity hairstylist Serge Normant, who is known for working with A-list clients like Blake Lively and Julia Roberts. The whole look took only 45 minutes to create.
Markle's wedding hairstyle was a departure from her signature messy buns and low ponytails, which are considered a breach of royal protocol. However, she has been known to return to her beloved messy bun on occasion, including for her first trip to Sussex as the Duchess of Sussex, which was remarked to be remarkably similar to her wedding reception hair.
The half-up-half-down hairstyle is a classic bridal look, and Markle's decision to wear her hair down may have been influenced by her sister-in-law, Kate Middleton, who also reportedly eschewed a professional makeup artist for her wedding. Markle's hair was perfectly coiffed, with feathery shorter lengths framing her face. The style allowed her custom Givenchy wedding dress to shine and has since inspired many brides-to-be.
Overall, Markle's wedding hairstyle was a sophisticated and elegant choice that perfectly complemented her wedding ensemble and has since become a source of inspiration and tutorial inquiries for those seeking to emulate her royal look.
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Emilia Wickstead is Kate Middleton's favourite designer
Kate Middleton's favourite designer is Emilia Wickstead, a New Zealand-born, London-based fashion designer. Wickstead's brand is a contemporary womenswear line with a strong connection to form and femininity. The Duchess of Cambridge has worn Wickstead designs on numerous occasions, including state affairs and Wimbledon tournaments. Middleton has also chosen Wickstead designs for notable personal events, such as a bespoke maternity dress in ice blue for an event at the National Portrait Gallery while pregnant with her first child, Prince George.
Wickstead's designs are a fixture on the London Fashion Week schedule, and she has received recognition from the British Fashion Council's Fashion Trust. The designer counts the Duchess of Cambridge as a loyal client, with Middleton re-wearing her Wickstead coat dresses regularly. One of Middleton's most notable Wickstead outfits was a gold wool coat dress worn in Bhutan with Prince William in 2016. More recently, in 2021, Middleton wore a bespoke green Emilia Wickstead dress with a flared skirt to the ladies' singles final at Wimbledon, winning the approval of the fashion press.
The Princess of Wales has continued to showcase her support for the designer, wearing an Emilia Wickstead creation for the Easter Mattins Service in 2022. Middleton also chose the designer for Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in the same year.
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Frequently asked questions
Designer Emilia Wickstead accused Meghan Markle of copying her wedding dress design.
Emilia Wickstead said that Meghan Markle's wedding dress was "identical" to one of her designs, the "Helene wedding dress." She also criticized the fit of the dress, saying that for a simple design, the fit should be perfect.
Both dresses feature a boat neck and long sleeves.
