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Meghan Markle's wedding dress, designed by Givenchy's then-creative director Clare Waight Keller, made a statement with its timeless minimalism and elegance. The off-the-shoulder gown, crafted from double-bonded silk cady, featured a graphic open bateau neckline and slim three-quarter sleeves, emphasising Meghan's shoulders and slender waist. The dress paid tribute to the Commonwealth, with a piece of blue fabric from her first date with Prince Harry stitched inside and a 16.5-foot veil embroidered with flowers representing its 53 countries, as well as her home state of California. While the dress received mixed reviews, with some critics calling it boring and ill-fitting, it undoubtedly made a fashion statement and became one of the most celebrated royal fashion moments in history.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Designer | Clare Waight Keller |
| Design House | Givenchy |
| Fabric | Double bonded silk cady |
| Veil Fabric | Silk and organza |
| Veil Length | 16.5 feet |
| Veil Details | Embroidered with flowers representing the 53 Commonwealth countries, wheat, and two personal flowers |
| Dress Details | Minimalist, off-the-shoulder, with an open bateau neckline, three-quarter sleeves, and a sculpted waist |
| Shoes | Based on a Givenchy refined pointed couture design made of silk duchesse satin |
| Second Dress | High-neck, halter-neck sheath gown by Stella McCartney |
| Third Dress | Micro-mini reception dress |
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What You'll Learn
- Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy
- The dress was off-the-shoulder with a bateau neckline, emphasising Meghan's waist
- The veil was embroidered with flowers representing the 53 Commonwealth countries
- The veil also featured two flowers with personal meaning to Meghan and Harry
- The dress was criticised for being boring and ill-fitting, but also received positive reviews
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy
The dress featured an open bateau neckline, three-quarter-length sleeves, and an A-frame silk organza skirt with a sculpted waist. The design was minimal and classic, reflecting the timeless elegance of the House of Givenchy. Waight Keller stated that the dress sought to "convey modernity through sleek lines and sharp cuts" while paying homage to the history of the Givenchy house.
Markle chose Waight Keller due to the designer's "elegant aesthetic" and "relaxed demeanour." The two worked closely together in secret for five months, with Waight Keller unable to tell anyone that she had been selected to design the dress. The dress was made in Paris by a small team of ateliers, with Markle and Waight Keller meeting for eight fittings.
The veil was also a standout accessory, measuring 16.5 feet in length and embroidered with flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, as well as the California poppy and wintersweet, reflecting the couple's interest in the work of the Commonwealth. The choice of flowers also held personal significance, with wintersweet growing outside Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace, where the couple lived, and the California poppy representing Markle's home state.
The dress and veil combination made a fashion statement, with Waight Keller creating a timeless and modern look that has been celebrated as one of the most memorable royal fashion moments in history.
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The dress was off-the-shoulder with a bateau neckline, emphasising Meghan's waist
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Givenchy's then-creative director, Clare Waight Keller. The dress was off-the-shoulder with a bateau neckline, emphasising Meghan's waist. This neckline was chosen as it had been previously worn by Meghan at other official engagements before the wedding. The bateau neckline was also reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn's wedding dress in the 1957 film Funny Face, designed by Hubert de Givenchy. The dress was crafted from double-bonded silk cady, with six meticulously placed seams, creating a pure, timeless, and elegant aesthetic. The slim three-quarter sleeves added a touch of modernity to the design.
The choice of designer was significant, as Meghan opted for Givenchy's first female artistic director, in line with her advocacy for gender equality. The dress was designed to be free of extravagant embellishments, with a focus on simplicity and elegance. The gown was also designed to be comfortable, allowing Meghan to move and smile effortlessly, as seen in the official photos.
The dress made headlines worldwide, with many commenting on its unexpected choice and elegant style. It has since inspired many brides-to-be, with elements such as the bateau neckline and off-the-shoulder look becoming popular choices for wedding gowns. The dress also sparked conversations about the representation of modernity and playfulness, reflecting Meghan's spirit and personality.
The veil, measuring 16.5 feet, was also a statement piece, featuring embroidered flowers representing the distinctive flora of all 53 Commonwealth countries, including the California Poppy, a nod to Meghan's home state of California. The veil was designed to complement the dress, adding a touch of sentiment and ethereal beauty to the overall look.
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The veil was embroidered with flowers representing the 53 Commonwealth countries
Meghan Markle's wedding dress, designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller, made headlines worldwide. The dress was designed under the Givenchy label, where Waight Keller has been the creative director since 2017. The dress was made in Paris by a small team of ateliers, with Markle and Waight Keller working closely together on the design. The dress was created out of double-bonded silk cady and had a purity achieved using six meticulously placed seams. The off-the-shoulder gown featured a graphic open bateau neckline, slim three-quarter sleeves, and a slender sculpted waist. The lines of the dress extended towards the back, where the train flowed in soft round folds cushioned by an underskirt in triple silk organza.
The veil, which was embroidered with flowers representing the 53 Commonwealth countries, was also created with a special sentiment. The veil was 16.5 feet long and made of silk tulle. It featured distinctive flora from all 53 Commonwealth countries united in one spectacular floral composition. The veil also included crops of wheat, delicately embroidered to symbolise love and charity. The flowers with personal meanings to Markle included wintersweet, which grows outside Nottingham Cottage, where she lived with Prince Harry, and the California poppy, the state flower of California, where she was born. A piece of blue fabric from the dress she wore on her first date with Prince Harry was also stitched into the bridal veil.
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The veil also featured two flowers with personal meaning to Meghan and Harry
The veil of Meghan Markle's wedding dress featured two flowers with personal meanings to her and Prince Harry. The first was wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox), which grows outside Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace, where the couple lived. The second was the California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), the state flower of California, where Meghan was born.
The veil also included flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, reflecting the couple's interest in the work of the Commonwealth. The veil was made of silk and organza and took hundreds of hours to sew. Workers had to wash their hands every 30 minutes to keep the tulle and threads pristine.
The dress itself was also symbolic, with a piece of the blue dress from Markle's first date with Prince Harry stitched into the bridal veil. The dress was designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller, Givenchy's then-creative director, in collaboration with Markle. The dress was made in Paris by a small team of ateliers, with only five months to manufacture it.
The gown featured an open bateau neckline to gracefully frame the shoulders and emphasise the slender sculpted waist. The slim three-quarter sleeves added a note of refined modernity, while the back featured a train flowing in soft round folds, cushioned by an underskirt in triple silk organza. The overall effect was described as "a timeless minimal elegance".
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The dress was criticised for being boring and ill-fitting, but also received positive reviews
Meghan Markle's wedding dress, designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, received mixed reviews. The Duchess of Sussex's dress was described by some as "beautiful" and "stunning", with Vogue's editor-in-chief, Edward Enninful, commenting that "the dress is beautiful". However, others criticised the dress as “boring”, “ill-fitting”, and "too big". Some commentators criticised the cut, shape, and matte satin fabric, calling the finish "dull" and noting a perceived lack of tailoring. The veil, a 16-foot design featuring embroidered flowers, was also mocked for its style and length, with some comparing it unfavourably to a CVS receipt.
The dress was an unexpected choice, with London-based brands Ralph & Russo and Erdem initially considered favourites. Markle's choice of Waight Keller, however, carried symbolic significance. The designer was the first female artistic director of the historic French fashion house Givenchy, and Markle's decision to collaborate with her highlighted her commitment to empowering women through her global platform. Markle admired Waight Keller's “timeless and elegant aesthetic, impeccable tailoring, and relaxed demeanour".
The dress itself was designed with an emphasis on small, meaningful details, reflecting Markle's personal style. It featured an open bateau neckline to gracefully frame the shoulders, a slender sculpted waist, and slim three-quarter sleeves for a refined modern touch. The dress was constructed from double bonded silk cady with six meticulously placed seams, creating a pure and timelessly elegant silhouette.
While some critics found the dress underwhelming, others recognised its understated elegance and the statement it made. Robin Givhan of The Washington Post noted that "the dress was a backdrop; it was in service to the woman", reflecting Markle's intention to showcase her personal style and veer away from traditional royal bridal trends. The dress also paid tribute to the Commonwealth, with the veil featuring embroidered flowers representing the distinctive flora of all 53 Commonwealth countries, including the California poppy and wintersweet from Kensington Palace.
Overall, while Meghan Markle's wedding dress polarised opinions, it ultimately made a powerful statement about the Duchess's commitment to female empowerment, her personal style, and her desire to honour the Commonwealth through her fashion choices.
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Frequently asked questions
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy.
The fabric was a double-bonded silk cady, which was developed by Waight Keller herself.
Meghan Markle's 16-foot silk tulle veil featured embroidered flowers representing the distinctive flora of all 53 Commonwealth countries. It also included the California poppy, her home state's flower, and wintersweet, a flower that grows at Kensington Palace.
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was inspired by her personal style, veering from past royal bridal fashion trends of opulent lace and crystal embellishments. The dress was described as embodying "a timeless minimal elegance".
Meghan Markle's wedding dress made a statement by focusing on small meaningful details, keeping the overall look minimal and classic. The dress also highlighted the success of a leading British talent in Waight Keller, who has served as the creative head of three globally influential fashion houses.
