Deborah Chan
Kate Middleton's wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, has become one of the most iconic bridal gowns in history. The long-sleeved, lace gown featured a V-neckline and was designed to pay tribute to the United Kingdom through its lace embroidery. The dress was widely anticipated and sparked trends in bridal fashion, with replicas being produced and sold. The original dress was displayed at Buckingham Palace, attracting 600,000 visitors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Designer | Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen |
| Neckline | V-neck |
| Fabric | English and French Chantilly lace, ivory and white satin gazar |
| Details | Hand-cut lace flowers, including roses, thistle, daffodils, and shamrocks |
| Length | Long-sleeved |
| Colour | White |
| Train | 2.7m |
| "Something Blue" | Sewn into the dress |
| Tiara | Cartier Halo tiara, a gift from the Queen Mother on her 18th birthday |
| Earrings | Diamond earrings by Robinson Pelham, a gift from her parents |
| Shoes | Court shoes made of ivory duchesse satin and hand-embroidered lace |
| Second dress | Strapless satin gown with a sweetheart neckline, designed by Sarah Burton |
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What You'll Learn
The dress was designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen
The dress worn by Kate Middleton at her wedding to Prince William in 2011 was designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. Burton, who was the creative director of Alexander McQueen, emphasised the brand's signature devotion to craftsmanship and sharp tailoring in her design. The dress was a long-sleeve V-neck gown with a lace bodice and full skirt. It was handcrafted in English lace with a floral motif commemorating Great Britain.
The dress was kept a closely guarded secret before the wedding, with Burton and the palace going to great lengths to keep the design under wraps. In the lead-up to the wedding, there was much speculation about who would be designing the dress, with rumours pointing to Burton and McQueen. The choice of Burton was a major endorsement for the British fashion brand and a boost when it needed one most.
The gown was met with widespread acclaim, with the New York Times declaring it "a flawless success" and the Telegraph’s fashion director calling it "the wedding dress of the century". The dress has since become iconic, inspiring copycat gowns among celebrity brides and remaining an inspiration to brides everywhere.
In addition to the wedding gown, Burton also designed a second dress for Middleton, which she wore to the wedding's evening festivities. This dress was made of smooth ivory satin and included a sweetheart neckline, a circle skirt, and a diamante belt.
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It featured a V-neck and long lace sleeves
The wedding dress worn by Catherine Middleton when she married Prince William on April 29, 2011, featured a V-neck and long lace sleeves. The gown was designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. It was made of ivory and white satin gazar, with a 2.7-metre train, and featured a narrowed waist and padded hips, inspired by the Victorian tradition of corsetry. The lace appliqué on the skirt and bodice was handmade by the Royal School of Needlework, using the Carrickmacross lace-making technique. The dress was on display at Buckingham Palace from July to October 2011 and attracted 600,000 visitors.
The V-neck design of the gown was complemented by the long lace sleeves, which added a delicate and elegant touch to the overall look. The lace sleeves were custom-made, with hand-cut lace flowers interwoven into the fabric. The choice of long sleeves was also notable, as it marked a departure from the strapless wedding gowns that had been popular in previous years. This influenced wedding fashion in the following years, with many brides opting for a similar style.
The V-neckline provided a flattering and elegant silhouette, showcasing the bride's décolletage and neck. The neckline was also a nod to the combination of tradition and modernity that the dress embodied, as it offered a modern twist on the classic wedding dress style. The V-neck allowed for a balanced and proportionate look, enhancing the overall design of the gown.
The combination of the V-neck and long lace sleeves created a timeless and iconic look that has inspired brides worldwide. The style was both elegant and sophisticated, capturing the essence of the royal wedding. The neckline and sleeves played a crucial role in the overall aesthetic of the gown, contributing to its popularity and enduring appeal.
The intricate lace details and handcrafted embroidery of the sleeves and neckline further emphasised the craftsmanship and attention to detail that went into creating the dress. The V-neck and long lace sleeves worked in harmony to showcase the beauty of the lace and the intricate floral motifs. This combination of a classic silhouette with delicate, intricate details captured the imagination of brides-to-be and continues to inspire wedding dress designs today.
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The lace was hand-cut and included flowers
The lace on Kate Middleton's wedding dress was hand-cut and included flowers. The dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, featured an English lace gown with a floral motif commemorating Great Britain. The lace appliqué on the skirt and bodice was handmade by the Royal School of Needlework, which is based at Hampton Court Palace. The dressmakers used the traditional Carrickmacross lace-making technique, which originated in Ireland in the 1820s.
The hand-cut lace flowers were created individually and added onto ivory silk tulle. They included roses, thistles, daffodils, and shamrocks, representing the four nations of the United Kingdom: England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The lace was not specially commissioned for the dress but was chosen from stock patterns. The majority of the dress was made using Solstiss lace, specifically the skirt and train. The styles of machine lace were "English Cluny" and "Chantilly," which are different from the older handmade bobbin laces with the same names.
The lace on Kate Middleton's wedding dress was noted by fashion experts for its design and symbolism. It was said to be "very pretty" by Karl Lagerfeld, who also noted that the dress combined "edgy fashion and tradition in a very British way." The lace bodice of Middleton's dress echoed that worn by Grace Kelly for her marriage to Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, in 1956. The lace sleeves and custom designs of hand-cut lace flowers interwoven into the fabric added to the overall elegance and uniqueness of the gown.
The lace on Kate Middleton's wedding dress has had a lasting impact on bridal fashion. Replicas of the dress were produced and sold, and the original dress was displayed at Buckingham Palace shortly after the wedding. The exhibition, which included the bride's tiara, earrings, and wedding shoes, attracted 600,000 visitors. The dress has continued to inspire bridal looks and remains one of the most Googled dresses in the world, even years after the royal wedding.
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The dress was rumoured to cost $434,000
The world watched as Kate Middleton, now the Princess of Wales, married Prince William on April 29, 2011, at Westminster Abbey. Her wedding dress was one of the most highly anticipated reveals of the century, and it did not disappoint. The dress was designed by Sarah Burton, the creative director of Alexander McQueen, and it showcased Kate's signature style and grace. One of the most memorable features of the gown was its exquisite neckline.
The dress featured a sophisticated V-shaped neckline in both the front and the back, a design choice that flattered Kate's frame and added a modern twist to the traditional gown. The front neckline was not too plunging, hitting just at the base of her neck, while the back dipped lower, ending in a subtle V-shape that was elegant and tasteful. This design highlighted her delicate collarbones and elongated her figure, creating a beautifully balanced silhouette. The neckline also featured intricate ivory satin ruching that drew attention without being overly ornate.
The rumour mill went into overdrive discussing the cost of the dress, with estimates placing it at a staggering $434,000. While this figure has never been officially confirmed, it is believed that the majority of the expense came from the dress's intricate craftsmanship and the use of fine fabrics and lace. The dress is rumoured to have taken months to create, with skilled artisans hand-cutting and hand-stitching each layer of lace and carefully crafting the delicate embroidery.
The dress also featured a full skirt with box pleats and a long train, which added to the overall cost. The satin gazar fabric, which is a lightweight yet structured material, was imported from Europe, contributing to the higher price tag. Additionally, the dress was adorned with delicate lace appliqués, each one carefully hand-applied, adding to the hours of skilled labour that went into its creation. The final result was a masterpiece that combined modern elegance with traditional royal elements, reflecting the Princess's own style and creating an iconic moment in fashion history.
The price of the dress, while substantial, also included the cost of keeping the design a highly guarded secret in the months leading up to the wedding. The few people who knew about the design and creation of the dress had to sign confidentiality agreements, and the final product was kept under tight security. This level of privacy and discretion also contributed to the overall expense.
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Kate's second dress had a sweetheart neckline
Kate Middleton's wedding dress has been the talk of the town ever since her wedding to Prince William in 2011. Designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, the gown was a long-sleeve V-neck with a fitted silhouette and a lace overlay. The dress was not only iconic but also set bridal trends for years to come.
However, Kate's second dress for the evening wedding reception at Buckingham Palace has received less attention. This dress was also designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen and was the third look she created for the royal wedding. The Duchess chose a strapless satin gown with a sweetheart neckline, a nipped-in waist, and an A-line skirt, all made of smooth ivory satin. The dress was simpler and easier to move in, allowing the bride to dance the night away.
The second dress included a wide silver crystal-embellished belt and a soft white mohair shrug, which was custom-designed by Burton. This ensemble offered a more relaxed and intimate glimpse into the royal couple's wedding celebration. The shrug, in particular, was noted as a relatable choice, reflecting the Duchess's commoner background.
The second dress was just as elegant as the first, showcasing Kate Middleton's fashion sense and influence, which continues to inspire brides and trendsetters worldwide. The Duchess's choice of a sweetheart neckline for her second dress highlighted her graceful style, making her wedding looks truly unforgettable.
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Frequently asked questions
The wedding dress worn by Kate Middleton—now known as the Princess of Wales—featured a V-neck design.
The dress was designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.
The dress was designed with a combination of tradition and modernity in mind. The lace appliqué on the skirt and bodice was handmade by the Royal School of Needlework, using the Carrickmacross lace-making technique. The dress also featured hand-cut lace flowers, including roses, thistles, daffodils, and shamrocks, which were added to ivory silk tulle.
