Deborah Chan
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. The dress was made of double-bonded silk cady, with a soft matte finish and a luminous effect. Markle chose Waight Keller for her elegant aesthetic and relaxed demeanour, and the designer scoured fabric mills across Europe to develop the perfect fabric for the gown. The dress was simple and elegant, with a bateau neckline and three-quarter-length sleeves, and was paired with a veil embroidered with flowers representing the countries of the Commonwealth. Markle changed into a Stella McCartney high-neck, halter-style dress for the reception.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Designer | Clare Waight Keller |
| Fashion House | Givenchy |
| Material | Silk |
| Sleeves | Three-quarter-length |
| Neckline | Boat/bateau |
| Train | Triple silk organza |
| Veil | Silk and organza, 5m long, 3m wide |
| Veil Embroidered Flowers | Wintersweet, California poppy, flowers from 53 Commonwealth countries |
| Veil "Something Blue" | Piece of fabric from the blue dress Markle wore on her first date with Prince Harry |
| Tiara | Queen Mary's diamond bandeau tiara |
| Gown Inspiration | Audrey Hepburn's dress in the 1957 film Funny Face, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's wedding gown |
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What You'll Learn
- The dress was made of silk with three-quarter-length sleeves and a boat neckline
- The veil was embroidered with flowers and sprays of wheat
- The veil also included a piece of fabric from the blue dress Markle wore on her first date with Prince Harry
- The gown was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy
- The dress was simple and classic, a departure from previous royal wedding dresses
The dress was made of silk with three-quarter-length sleeves and a boat neckline
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was made of silk. The dress had three-quarter-length sleeves, an open boat neckline, and a train with a built-in triple silk organza underskirt. The silk cady fabric had a soft matte lustre, and the pure white colour brought a modern touch to the dress. The dress was designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller, the artistic director of Givenchy.
The silk cady fabric was chosen after "extensive research" by Waight Keller in fabric mills throughout Europe. The fabric was described as having a soft matte lustre and a fresh modernity due to its pure white colour. The triple silk organza used for the underskirt was noted to be thick and stiff, contributing to the structure and shape of the dress. The choice of silk fabric added a sense of elegance and refinement to the overall design.
The three-quarter-length sleeves of the dress were slim and modern, providing a refined and elegant touch to the overall design. They were described as "bracelet" sleeves, ending just above the wrist, allowing for comfort and ease of movement for the bride. The length of the sleeves also created a sense of proportion and balance with the dress's open boat neckline.
The boat neckline, also known as a bateau neckline, gracefully framed the bride's shoulders and emphasised her slender waist. It was described as "risqué" for the conservative royal family, adding a touch of modernity to the design. The neckline also provided the perfect canvas for showcasing Meghan's stunning diamond tiara, loaned to her for the occasion.
The combination of the three-quarter-length sleeves and boat neckline contributed to the overall timeless and elegant aesthetic of the dress. The design emphasised Meghan's personal style, veering away from traditional royal bridal fashions that often included opulent embellishments. The simplicity and sophistication of the silk dress with its precise seam work and elegant lines created a memorable and iconic bridal look that has inspired many brides-to-be.
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The veil was embroidered with flowers and sprays of wheat
The veil that Meghan Markle wore with her wedding dress was embroidered with flowers and sprays of wheat. The flowers represented the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, with each country symbolised by a unique flower. The veil also included two flowers with personal meaning to the couple: wintersweet, which grows outside the couple's home of Nottingham Cottage, and the California poppy, the state flower of Markle's birthplace.
The veil was 5 metres (16 feet) long and 3 metres wide. It took longer to create than the dress itself, with embroiderers spending 500 hours completing it. They washed their hands every 30 minutes to ensure the veil remained pristine until the wedding day.
The dress was designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller, the artistic director of the fashion house Givenchy. The silk dress featured an open bateau neckline, three-quarter-length sleeves, and a train with a built-in triple silk organza underskirt. The dress was devoid of any lace or other embellishments.
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The veil also included a piece of fabric from the blue dress Markle wore on her first date with Prince Harry
The wedding dress worn by Meghan Markle at her wedding to Prince Harry on 19 May 2018 was designed by British fashion designer Clare Waight Keller, artistic director of the fashion house Givenchy. The dress was made of silk with three-quarter-length sleeves, an open boat neckline, and a train with a built-in triple silk organza underskirt. The silk cady fabric was chosen after "extensive research" by Waight Keller in fabric mills throughout Europe.
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The gown was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy
The gown worn by Meghan Markle at her wedding to Prince Harry on 19 May 2018 was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. Markle chose Waight Keller because she admired the designer's "elegant aesthetic" and "relaxed demeanour". The dress was made of double-bonded silk cady with three-quarter-length sleeves, an open bateau neckline, and a train with a built-in triple silk organza underskirt. The silk cady fabric was developed by Waight Keller herself after extensive research in fabric mills throughout Europe. The dress featured only six seams, emphasising its minimalist design.
Waight Keller, who was the first female artistic director of the French fashion house Givenchy, is known for her impeccable tailoring and timeless designs. She has previously served as the creative head of other globally influential fashion houses, including Pringle of Scotland and Chloé. The choice to work with Waight Keller also highlighted Markle's desire to showcase the success of a leading British talent.
The veil, which was 5 metres (16 feet) long and 3 metres wide, took longer to create than the dress itself. The veil was hand-embroidered with a variety of flowers and symbolic sprays of wheat. It featured flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, as well as the California poppy and wintersweet, which grows at Kensington Palace. The veil was designed to symbolise Meghan's transition from her former life as an actor to her new life as a member of the royal family.
The dress was manufactured in Paris by a small team of ateliers, and there were only five months to create both the dress and the veil. Waight Keller and Markle worked closely together during the process, meeting for eight fittings to perfect the design. The final result was a timeless and elegant gown that captured the world's attention.
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The dress was simple and classic, a departure from previous royal wedding dresses
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller under the Givenchy label. 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 notable for its simplicity and classic elegance, a departure from previous royal wedding dresses, which often featured opulent embellishments and intricate details.
Waight Keller helped develop a double-bonded silk cady for the construction of the dress, which featured only six seams. The dress was without lace or any other embellishments, creating a sleek and minimalist silhouette. The design was inspired by Markle's admiration for Audrey Hepburn's iconic Givenchy dress in the 1957 film "Funny Face" and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's surprise choice of a simple wedding gown in 1996.
Markle's choice to work with Waight Keller, the first female Artistic Director at the historic French fashion house Givenchy, reflected her desire to highlight the success of a leading British talent. The dress epitomized a timeless minimal elegance, showcasing the expert craftsmanship of the Givenchy couture atelier. The focus on small meaningful details, such as the subtle "something blue" stitched inside the veil, added a personal touch to the ensemble.
The royal wedding dress became an iconic fashion moment, setting trends for years to come. Markle's decision to embrace her personal style and veer from traditional royal bridal fashion made a statement and challenged the expectations of previous royal weddings. The simplicity and elegance of the dress, without the elaborate details of past royal gowns, reflected Markle's modern and timeless taste.
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Frequently asked questions
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was made of double-bonded silk cady. The dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy.
Meghan Markle's veil featured a variety of flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth. Markle also chose two favourite flowers: wintersweet, which grows outside Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace, and the California poppy, from her home state.
The dress was pure white and had a simple, timeless design. It featured a bateau neckline, structured three-quarter sleeves, and a sculpted waistline that fell into a train made of triple silk organza. The dress was without lace or any other embellishments.
