George Boyle
Meghan Markle's wedding dress for her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018 was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. The dress was noted for its minimalist design, featuring a boat neckline, three-quarter-length sleeves, and a 16-foot cathedral veil. The gown was crafted from double-bonded silk cady, with an underskirt made of triple silk organza. Markle's dress is estimated to have cost between £110,000 and £387,000, with the exact amount remaining undisclosed. The dress and its accompanying accessories were displayed in a special exhibition titled A Royal Wedding: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at Windsor Castle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Designer | Clare Waight Keller |
| Fashion House | Givenchy |
| Fabric | Silk, silk tulle |
| Sleeves | Three-quarter length |
| Neckline | Open bateau, boat |
| Train | Triple silk organza underskirt |
| Veil | 5-metre, 16-foot, hand-embroidered with flowers |
| Gowns | Two (one for the ceremony, one for the reception) |
| Reception Dress Designer | Stella McCartney |
| Reception Dress Style | High-neck, halter |
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What You'll Learn
Meghan Markle's wedding dress designer
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. The dress was made of silk with three-quarter-length sleeves, an open bateau neckline, and a train with a built-in triple silk organza underskirt. The dress was designed with a focus on small meaningful details, keeping the overall look rather minimal and classic. It was also reported that the dress was without any lace or other embellishments.
The dress was manufactured in Paris by a small team of ateliers in just five months, with Markle and Keller meeting for eight fittings. The designer reflected on her experience crafting the gown, stating that the wedding being watched by billions meant that the dress had to be flawless and perfect.
Markle's veil was also created by Waight Keller. The 5-metre-long (16-foot) veil featured hand-embroidered flowers along its hem, representing the distinctive flora of the 53 Commonwealth countries. The veil took longer to create than the dress, with embroiderers spending 500 hours completing it.
For her reception, Markle wore a second dress designed by Stella McCartney. This gown featured a high neck and a more modern aesthetic, bringing a contemporary touch to traditional royal aesthetics.
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The veil and its floral embroidery
The veil was an impressive 16-foot (5-metre) silk tulle creation, featuring a variety of flowers embroidered onto its hem, as well as symbolic sprays of wheat. The flowers represented the distinctive flora of the 53 Commonwealth countries, with each country united in one spectacular composition. The veil also featured a California poppy, in honour of Markle's home state, and wintersweet, a flower that grows at Kensington Palace.
The veil took longer to create than the dress itself, with the embroiderers spending 500 hours completing it. They washed their hands every 30 minutes to ensure the veil remained pristine until the wedding day.
The veil was designed by Clare Waight Keller, the first female Artistic Director at Givenchy, who also designed Markle's wedding dress. The dress was simple and classic, made of silk with three-quarter-length sleeves, an open bateau neckline, and a train with a built-in triple silk organza underskirt.
The choice of designer was a significant one for Markle, who wanted to highlight the success of a leading British talent. Waight Keller was praised for her elegant aesthetic and relaxed demeanour, as well as her respect for Markle's vision for the dress and veil. The veil, in particular, added serious drama to Markle's wedding ensemble.
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The dress's simplicity and elegance
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was a masterpiece of simplicity and elegance, captivating the world with its timeless design. The dress, designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, featured a sleek and streamlined silhouette, showcasing an impeccable sense of refinement. The clean lines and understated sophistication of the gown reflected Meghan's own sense of style and her desire for a modern yet classic look. The dress was an elegant column style with a boat neckline and three-quarter length sleeves. Its simplicity was its strength, with the design focusing on the beauty of the lines and the perfection of the fit. The pure white colour and smooth, flowing lines created an incredibly graceful and refined silhouette.
The fabric, a silk cady, was chosen for its subtle sheen and fluid drape, adding to the overall sense of elegance. It fell in soft folds, creating a gentle sense of movement as she walked down the aisle. The focus on the simplicity of the dress was also a way to highlight the beauty of the veil and the stunning 16-foot train, which featured a delicate trim of hand-embroidered flowers representing the flora of the Commonwealth countries. The veil, made of tulle, added a dreamlike quality to the ensemble, enhancing the ethereal beauty of the overall look.
The dress was an exemplary display of minimalist design, with its refined lines and subtle details. The boat neckline gracefully framed Meghan's shoulders and décolletage, while the sleek sleeves provided a modern touch. The waist was slightly narrowed, creating a gentle hourglass shape without being overly fitted, showcasing the designer's expertise in creating a perfectly balanced silhouette. The lack of a belt or any ornate embellishment kept the focus on the exquisite cut and the beauty of the fabric.
The overall effect was one of understated glamour and timeless sophistication. Meghan's wedding dress will forever be remembered as an iconic example of bridal fashion, a testament to the power of simplicity and the enduring appeal of elegant, minimalist design. The dress's sleek lines and refined details flattered her figure and reflected her personal style, while the expert craftsmanship and attention to detail ensured it was a true work of art. It was a dress that perfectly captured the essence of the modern royal bride.
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Comparisons to Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's gown
Meghan Markle's wedding dress, designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, sparked comparisons to another iconic bridal gown: that of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. Bessette-Kennedy married John F. Kennedy Jr., the son of former US president John F. Kennedy, in 1996. Like Markle, Bessette-Kennedy chose a sleek and sophisticated dress for her nuptials, which continues to inspire brides-to-be even decades later.
Both dresses featured clean, minimalist lines and a sleek silhouette, a departure from the more ornate and traditional princess-style wedding gowns often favored by high-profile brides. Markle's dress had a bateau neckline and three-quarter length sleeves, while Bessette-Kennedy's dress had a slightly higher neckline and capped sleeves. The fabric of both gowns was also similar, with Markle's dress made from double-bonded silk cady and Bessette-Kennedy's from a more lightweight silk crepe.
The simplicity and elegance of both dresses created a timeless look that many brides aspire to emulate. Both Markle and Bessette-Kennedy chose designs that flattered their figures and reflected their personal styles, rather than following traditional bridal trends. The choice of a simpler, more streamlined gown can be seen as a statement of confidence and a desire to stand out from the typical fairytale princess mold.
One of the most notable similarities between the two dresses was the veil. Both Markle and Bessette-Kennedy paired their gowns with long, elegant veils that added a touch of drama and romance to their ensembles. Markle's veil was made from soft tulle and featured floral embroidery representing the flora of the 53 Commonwealth countries, while Bessette-Kennedy's veil was made of sheer silk tulle and fell gracefully down her back.
While there are certainly similarities between the two wedding gowns, there were also some key differences. Bessette-Kennedy's dress, designed by Narciso Rodriguez, featured a more form-fitting sheath silhouette that hugged her curves, while Markle's dress had a slightly looser fit and a subtle A-line shape. Additionally, Bessette-Kennedy wore a pair of sleek white leather pumps, while Markle opted for a pair of simple silk satin heels.
The comparisons between Meghan Markle's wedding dress and that of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy highlight how these two brides, years apart, influenced and inspired bridal fashion with their timeless and elegant choices.
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Meghan's second dress by Stella McCartney
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. The dress was made in Paris by a small team of ateliers and featured an open bateau neckline, three-quarter-length sleeves, and a train with a built-in triple silk organza underskirt. The dress was without lace or any other embellishments, and the silk cady fabric was double-bonded, requiring only six seams.
For her reception, Markle changed into a second wedding dress designed by Stella McCartney. The high-neck, halter dress was made of silk crepe and brought a modern touch to traditional royal aesthetics. The gown conjured a sense of sophisticated Hollywood glamour, marking a departure from the classic and timeless style of her ceremony gown.
Markle's choice of McCartney for her second wedding dress surprised fans and fashion enthusiasts alike. The Duchess of Sussex is known for her minimalist and classic personal style, which was reflected in her choice of a simple and elegant gown for her ceremony. However, her second dress revealed a different side to her fashion sensibility, showcasing a sophisticated and glamorous aesthetic.
The Stella McCartney gown has become a popular choice for brides-to-be, with many seeking to emulate Markle's modern and elegant take on royal wedding fashion. While the exact dress is not available, similar designs have emerged, offering brides the opportunity to capture the essence of Markle's second wedding look.
Markle's wedding day fashion continues to be a source of inspiration for brides worldwide. Her choice of designers and attention to meaningful details have left an enduring impact on the bridal fashion industry, with many seeking to recreate her elegant and timeless looks.
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Frequently asked questions
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. The dress was made of double-bonded silk cady with three-quarter-length sleeves, an open boat neckline, and a train with a built-in triple silk organza underskirt. The dress was noted for its minimalist design, which was a departure from previous royal looks.
The exact cost of Meghan Markle's wedding dress is undisclosed, but it is estimated to have cost between £110,000 and £387,000. The high cost of the dress was due to the use of premium fabrics, handcrafted details, and the bespoke design.
Meghan Markle's 16-foot veil was embroidered with flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, as well as the California poppy to honour her home state. The veil took 3,900 hours of hand-embroidery work to complete.
