Rhiannon Hendricks
Princess Kate's wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, was an ivory and white satin and lace gown with a nearly nine-foot train. The dress, which Kate collaborated on with Burton, was said to combine tradition and modernity with the artistic vision that characterizes Alexander McQueen’s work. The gown, which featured a blue ribbon sewn into the interior as Kate's something blue, was on display at Buckingham Palace from July to October 2011, attracting over 600,000 visitors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 29 April 2011 |
| Designer | Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen |
| Colour | Ivory and white |
| Details | Lace, long sleeves, V-neck, padded hips, 58 gazar and organza-covered buttons, blue ribbon (something blue), ivory silk tulle veil |
| Length of train | 2.7 metres or 8.85 feet |
| Cost | £250,000 or $434,000 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Kate Middleton's wedding dress designer was Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen
- The dress had a blue ribbon sewn into it as her 'something blue'
- The gown was hand-crafted with pristine lace and was 2.7m long
- The dress was on display at Buckingham Palace from July to October 2011
- Kate's second wedding dress was a strapless satin gown
Kate Middleton's wedding dress designer was Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen
Kate Middleton's wedding dress was designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen. Burton, who was the creative director of the fashion house, had worked with the brand's founder, Lee Alexander McQueen, for 14 years before taking over after his passing in 2010.
The dress was made of French Chantilly lace and English Cluny lace throughout the bodice, skirt, and underskirt. The flowing skirt, made of ivory and white satin gazar, was designed to emulate an opening flower. The lace motifs on the dress were hand-made by the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace and featured a rose, thistle, daffodil, and shamrock, representing the UK's four nations. The bridal train was an impressive 2.70 metres long, though it was shorter than Princess Diana's 25-foot train.
The choice of designer was kept a closely guarded secret until the morning of the wedding on 29 April 2011. In a statement, Buckingham Palace explained Kate's choice of the British designer:
> Miss Catherine Middleton's wedding dress has been designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen. Miss Middleton chose British brand Alexander McQueen for the beauty of its craftsmanship and its respect for traditional workmanship and the technical construction of clothing.
The dress has since become one of the most popular styles favoured by brides worldwide. Burton stepped down from her role at Alexander McQueen in September 2023, showcasing her final collection at the Spring-Summer '24 fashion show in Paris.
Jazzing Up a Navy Dress for Your Wedding Day
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The dress had a blue ribbon sewn into it as her 'something blue'
Princess Kate's wedding dress was designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen. The dress featured metres of lace, hidden details requested by the Princess, and even special nods to the Middletons, her new husband, and her late grandmother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II. The dress also had a blue ribbon sewn into it as her "something blue".
The blue ribbon was sewn into the interior of the dress by Burton's team. The dress combined tradition and modernity with the artistic vision that characterises Alexander McQueen's work. The bodice was inspired by the Victorian tradition of corsetry, narrowing at the waist and padded slightly below the midsection. The gown also featured a lengthy train, spanning nearly 9 feet.
The dress was made with ivory lace and included a veil of soft, ivory silk tulle. The veil was held in place by a Cartier Halo tiara, which was Kate's "something borrowed". The tiara was lent to her by Queen Elizabeth and featured 739 brilliant-cut diamonds and 139 baguettes.
The blue ribbon sewn into the dress was a subtle but meaningful detail that added a personal touch to the Princess's wedding ensemble. It represented the "something blue" tradition, which symbolises purity, love, and fidelity. This tradition is often included in weddings as a way to bring good luck and blessings to the couple.
The dress was on display at Buckingham Palace from July to October 2011, where fans could admire the intricate details and elegant design up close. The exhibition provided an opportunity for the public to get a closer look at the stunning gown and appreciate the craftsmanship that went into creating it. The dress is now a memorable part of royal wedding history.
Polish Wedding Attire: Dressing for a Polish Celebration
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$40.99
The gown was hand-crafted with pristine lace and was 2.7m long
Princess Kate's wedding dress was an ivory lace gown, hand-crafted with pristine lace and measuring 2.7 metres long. The dress was designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen, with the bride choosing the British brand for its "beauty of its craftsmanship and its respect for traditional workmanship and the technical construction of clothing".
The dress featured long sleeves and a high neckline, with a full skirt and a dramatic train that stretched nearly 2.7 metres behind her as she walked down the aisle. The train was designed to echo an opening flower, with white satin gazar arches and pleats. The lace appliqué bodice was decorated with buttons and hand-embroidered motifs, while the skirt was made using the 19th-century Carrickmacross lace-making technique.
The team of seamstresses working on the gown washed their hands every 30 minutes to protect the brilliance of the lace and threads, and needles were renewed regularly to ensure they were sharp and clean. The dress was kept a closely guarded secret before the wedding, with only a few fittings to ensure the princess's measurements hadn't changed.
The gown was on display at Buckingham Palace from July to October 2011, with visitors able to admire the intricate details and elegant design up close. The dress has since become one of the most memorable royal wedding looks of all time, with its timeless style and special nods to the princess's family and husband.
Maxi Dresses: Wedding-Appropriate or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The dress was on display at Buckingham Palace from July to October 2011
The Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress was put on display at Buckingham Palace from 23 July to 3 October 2011. The dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, was exhibited in the palace's ballroom during its annual summer opening. This display came just a few months after the royal wedding, which took place on 29 April 2011 at Westminster Abbey in London, England.
The dress was described as a work of art, combining "tradition and modernity with the artistic vision that characterizes Alexander McQueen's work". The exhibition also included the veil, appliquéd with lace rose, thistle, daffodil, and shamrock motifs, as well as the Queen Mother's 1936 Cartier Halo tiara, which was loaned to the Duchess by Queen Elizabeth II. The tiara featured 739 brilliant-cut diamonds and 139 baguettes.
The display also featured the satin and lace shoes made by the McQueen team and hand-embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework. The diamond oak leaf and acorn earrings, which were commissioned by the Duchess's parents and incorporated the Middleton family's new coat of arms, were also on show. These earrings were a wedding gift to the Duchess.
The exhibition offered visitors a close-up view of the intricate details of the bridal gown, including the hand-embroidered motifs on the veil of soft, ivory silk tulle. The gown's bodice, inspired by Victorian corsetry, narrowed at the waist and was slightly padded below the midsection. The train, made using Ireland's 19th-century Carrickmacross lace-making technique, was nearly nine feet long.
Leopard Print Dress: Wedding Wear or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$42.99 $45.99
Kate's second wedding dress was a strapless satin gown
Kate Middleton's wedding to Prince William on 29 April 2011 was a grand affair, with the bride wearing two different dresses on the day. The second dress, worn for the evening reception at Buckingham Palace, was a strapless satin gown designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen.
The Duchess of Cambridge's second dress was a floor-length ivory satin gown with a circle skirt and diamante detailing around the waist. It featured a romantic sweetheart neckline and a voluminous A-line skirt. The fabric was ivory satin gazar, a luxurious and structured fabric often used for bridalwear. The dress was a minimalist yet sophisticated design, with the crystal-embellished belt as the only adornment.
The second dress was a softer and more relaxed silhouette compared to the detailed lace of the first ceremonial gown. Kate Middleton wore her hair down with the second dress, creating a softer and more natural look. She also wore a white angora bolero or shrug over her shoulders, adding a layer of warmth and elegance. The bolero was described as "playful complexity" against the sheen of the dress.
The second dress has become one of Kate Middleton's most iconic style moments, with fans around the world enchanted by the graceful and sophisticated design. The gown slipped under the radar for years, with only fleeting glimpses available, but it went viral on TikTok in 2022 when a royal watcher unearthed rare video footage of the Duchess descending the grand staircase at Clarence House.
Finding Your Dream Wedding Dress Maker
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Princess Kate's wedding dress was ivory and white. The dress was designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen.
Princess Kate's "something blue" was a blue ribbon sewn into the interior of her dress.
The dress was long-sleeved and V-necked, with a lace bodice that narrowed at the waist and had padding at the hips. The skirt was designed to resemble the opening of a flower, with white satin gazar arches and pleats.
