Deborah Chan
Princess Diana's wedding dress is one of the most famous dresses in the world and is considered one of the most closely guarded secrets in fashion history. The ivory silk taffeta and antique lace gown, with a 25-foot train and a 153-yard tulle veil, was designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel. The lace used in the dress was antique and handmade, including a square of Carrickmacross lace that once belonged to Queen Mary. The dress was hand-embroidered with mother-of-pearl sequins and an estimated 10,000 pearls, with lace-trimmed puff sleeves, a ruffled neckline, and a ball gown silhouette. The dress set wedding fashion trends, with large puffed sleeves and full skirts becoming popular requests.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of lace | Carrickmacross lace |
| Origin | The lace belonged to Queen Mary, the great-grandmother of King Charles III |
| Design | The lace was antique and hand-made |
| Design inspiration | A bolt of 'Carrick ma Cross' lace originally owned by Queen Mary |
| Designer | Roger Watson Laces |
| Use in the dress | The lace was used to trim the dress and was featured on the bodice |
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What You'll Learn
Antique lace from Queen Mary
The wedding dress of Lady Diana Spencer, also known as Princess Diana, was designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel. The ivory silk taffeta and antique lace gown featured a 25-foot train and a 153-yard tulle veil. The dress was valued at the time at £9,000, equivalent to $43,573 in 2023. The antique lace used in the gown was Carrickmacross lace that once belonged to King Charles III's great-grandmother, Queen Mary.
The provenance of the historic lace can be traced back to a letter dated July 8, 1981, from Margaret Bartlett, the then Head of the Work Room at the Royal School of Needlework. The letter was addressed to Princess Diana's wedding dress designers, the Emmanuels, informing them that the flounce of Carrickmacross lace was donated by Queen Mary.
The lace formed part of the bodice of Princess Diana's wedding dress, which also included antique Carrickmacross lace from Queen Mary, the Spencer family tiara, and a small blue bow sewn into the waist of the dress. The dress was designed to incorporate older traditions, reflecting Princess Diana's personal preferences while honouring royal precedents.
The antique lace from Queen Mary added a touch of history and royalty to Princess Diana's wedding dress, making it not just a fashionable garment but also a connection to the past. The use of antique lace from Queen Mary also highlights the importance of continuity and respect for tradition in royal weddings.
In addition to the antique lace from Queen Mary, Princess Diana's wedding dress featured hand-embroidered mother-of-pearl sequins and pearls, adding a touch of sparkle and elegance to the gown. The dress was considered one of the most closely guarded secrets in fashion history, with strict measures in place to ensure secrecy.
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Lace trim and train
Princess Diana's wedding dress was designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel and is considered one of the most famous dresses in the world. The dress was made of ivory silk taffeta and antique lace with a 25-foot train. The lace used for the trim and train of the dress was designed by Roger Watson Laces, one of the regular suppliers of the Emanuels. The lace was inspired by a bolt of 'Carrick-ma-Cross' or 'Carrickmacross' lace, which once belonged to Queen Mary. This square of antique lace was attached to the gown's bodice, connecting Princess Diana to royal history. The lace was also used on the cuffs and across the top of the dress.
The lace trim and train of Princess Diana's wedding dress were carefully designed to incorporate traditional elements while reflecting the princess's personal preferences. The lace was hand-embroidered with tiny mother-of-pearl sequins and an estimated 10,000 pearls. The dress featured lace-trimmed puff sleeves, a ruffled neckline, and a ball gown silhouette. The lace trim added to the dramatic effect of the gown, making it a truly iconic wedding dress in royal history.
The Carrickmacross lace used on Princess Diana's wedding dress holds a special significance. It was either found in a bag of scraps or donated by the Royal School of Needlework, according to different sources. This lace connected Princess Diana to the royal family's history and added a unique touch to her ensemble. The use of antique lace also reflected the tradition of incorporating "'something old' into a bridal gown, a custom that Princess Diana followed.
The lace trim and train of Princess Diana's wedding dress were meticulously crafted and played a significant role in the overall design of the gown. The lace added a touch of elegance and sophistication to the entire ensemble, making it one of the most memorable and influential bridal gowns in history. The intricate details of the lace trim and train have left an enduring legacy in the world of fashion and continue to inspire bridal gown designs even today.
The lace used for the trim and train of Princess Diana's wedding dress set a standard for royal wedding dresses. The intricate design, high-quality materials, and attention to detail raised the bar for subsequent royal weddings. The combination of ivory silk taffeta and antique lace, along with the exquisite embroidery, set a precedent for luxurious and elegant bridal gowns. The dress's impact extended beyond royalty, as it also influenced wedding dress trends among the public, with its distinctive style and intricate lace details becoming highly sought-after.
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Hand-embroidered with pearls and sequins
Princess Diana's wedding dress was made of ivory silk taffeta and antique lace hand-embroidered with pearls and sequins. The embroidery was carried out by S Lock, now known as Hand & Lock. The gown featured a 25-foot train edged with the same sparkling lace. The veil, made of ivory silk tulle, was also hand-embroidered with thousands of mother-of-pearl sequins.
The dress was designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, who described it as a dress that "had to be something that was going to go down in history, but also something that Diana loved." The Emanuels were relatively unknown when they received the commission to design the royal wedding dress, which placed intense pressure on them as they had to balance royal traditions with Princess Diana's personal preferences.
The lace used in the dress was antique Carrick-ma-Cross lace, also known as Carrickmacross lace, which once belonged to Queen Mary, the great-grandmother of King Charles III. This square of lace was either found in a bag of scraps or donated by the Royal School of Needlework. The use of this antique lace connected Princess Diana to royal history.
The dress featured approximately 10,000 pearls, with tiny pearls sewn onto the bodice and larger pearls scattered throughout. The mother-of-pearl sequins were almost transparent, creating a fairy dust effect as the light sparkled off them. The dress and veil were designed to be suitably dramatic and make an impression, reflecting the fairy-tale romance between Princess Diana and Prince Charles.
The attention to detail extended beyond the dress itself, with the Emanuels even designing a matching umbrella with pearls and lace embroidery in case of rain. Princess Diana's ensemble was completed with matching shoes and the Spencer family tiara, creating a truly iconic bridal look that has left an enduring legacy in wedding fashion.
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Lace-trimmed puff sleeves
Princess Diana's wedding dress, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, was made of ivory silk taffeta and antique lace with a 25-foot train. The lace used for the dress was antique Carrick-ma-cross lace, which once belonged to Queen Mary. The lace was used to trim the dress, including the cuffs and the top across the shoulder. The dress featured lace-trimmed puff sleeves, a ruffled neckline, and a ball gown silhouette. The lace trim added a touch of elegance and romance to the dramatic and iconic design.
The lace-trimmed puff sleeves of Princess Diana's wedding dress were part of the overall design aesthetic that captured the hearts of people around the world. The puff sleeves added volume and drama to the silhouette, creating a romantic and fairy-tale-like effect. The lace trim on the sleeves was created from the same antique Carrick-ma-cross lace used throughout the dress, adding a delicate and intricate detail. The lace trim may have also had a slight scalloped edge, as scalloped details were featured on the hem and sleeves of the backup dress.
The choice of lace for the trim on the puff sleeves was intentional and carried symbolic significance. By using antique lace that once belonged to Queen Mary, Princess Diana connected her wedding ensemble to royal history. This gesture was in keeping with the tradition of royal brides incorporating older elements into their wedding attire. The lace trim on the puff sleeves, along with the rest of the dress, was hand-embroidered with mother-of-pearl sequins and pearls, adding a subtle sparkle and glamour to the overall design.
The lace-trimmed puff sleeves also contributed to the overall impact and memorability of Princess Diana's wedding dress. The dress set trends and influenced wedding fashion, with large puffed sleeves and soft touch fabrics becoming popular requests. The sleeves, along with the dramatic train and veil, created a sense of grandeur and fairy-tale romance that captured the public imagination. The intricate details of the lace trim, along with the rest of the dress, were carefully guarded secrets until the big reveal on the wedding day.
The lace-trimmed puff sleeves of Princess Diana's wedding dress were not only a stylish choice but also a symbolic one. The antique lace trim connected Princess Diana to the royal family's history and added a touch of glamour and romance to the iconic design. The sleeves contributed to the overall impact of the dress, setting trends and leaving an enduring legacy in the world of wedding fashion. The intricate details and careful craftsmanship of the lace trim showcase the thought and effort that went into creating this unforgettable ensemble.
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Lace on bridesmaids' dresses
Princess Diana's wedding dress, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, was made of ivory silk taffeta and antique lace with hand embroidery. The lace used was antique Carrick-ma-cross lace, which once belonged to Queen Mary. The lace was used generously, surrounding the 25-foot-long train, the cuffs, and the top of the dress. The dress was hand-embroidered with mother-of-pearl sequins and an estimated 10,000 pearls. The same lace was carried through in the bridesmaids' dresses.
The bridesmaids' dresses at Princess Diana's wedding were designed to complement the princess's gown. The dresses were made of ivory silk taffeta, featuring antique lace with hand embroidery. The lace trim on the bridesmaids' dresses matched the lace on Princess Diana's gown, creating a cohesive and elegant look for the bridal party.
The antique lace used on the bridesmaids' dresses was carefully selected to align with the royal tradition of incorporating older elements into wedding attire. This tradition is reflected in Princess Diana's choice of antique Carrickmacross lace for her own gown, which held special significance as it belonged to Queen Mary.
The ivory silk taffeta fabric of the bridesmaids' dresses echoed the fabric of Princess Diana's dress, creating a sense of unity and harmony within the bridal party. The use of ivory, a colour often associated with weddings, symbolised purity and elegance, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the ceremony.
The hand embroidery on the bridesmaids' dresses added a delicate and intricate touch to the attire. The embroidery may have included subtle embellishments such as mother-of-pearl sequins or pearls, similar to those on Princess Diana's gown, creating a subtle sparkle as the bridal party processed down the aisle.
Overall, the lace on the bridesmaids' dresses played a crucial role in tying together the wedding aesthetic, reflecting the elegance and grandeur of Princess Diana's own gown, and contributing to the memorable and iconic fashion choices of that day.
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Frequently asked questions
Antique Carrickmacross lace.
The lace was donated by Queen Mary, formerly Queen Consort to King George V.
The lace was attached to the gown and featured on the cuffs, the bodice, and the 25-foot train.
The dress was designed by the husband-and-wife duo David and Elizabeth Emanuel.
The dress was made of ivory silk taffeta and was hand-embroidered with mother-of-pearl sequins and an estimated 10,000 pearls.
