Junior Rasmussen
Meghan Markle's wedding dress, designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, was copied by an Irish bridal shop and designer just days after her wedding to Prince Harry in May 2018. Markle's dress received mixed reviews, with some critics describing it as boring and ill-fitting, while others praised its timeless minimal elegance. The dress was estimated to cost $265,000 and took 3,900 hours to design the veil, with eight fittings and five months of clandestine communication. Markle's dress has also been compared to those worn by other royal brides, including Princess Diana and Catherine, Princess of Wales.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of the wedding | 19 May 2018 |
| Bride | Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex |
| Groom | Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex |
| Wedding dress designer | Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy |
| Wedding dress style | Long-sleeved, boat-necked, minimalist, classic, timeless, elegant, modern |
| Wedding dress cost | $265,000 |
| Veil | 16-foot veil embroidered with flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, the California poppy, and wintersweet |
| Tiara | A bandeau-style diamond topper that dates back to Queen Mary |
| Second dress designer | Stella McCartney |
| Second dress style | High-neck, halter-neck, sleeveless, modern |
| Number of fittings | 8 |
| Time taken to design the veil | 3,900 hours |
| Time taken to manufacture the dress and veil | 5 months |
| Designer accused of copying | Emilia Wickstead |
| Copies of the wedding dress | An Irish bridal shop and designer created a replica of the Givenchy gown and the McCartney halter dress |
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What You'll Learn
Meghan Markle's wedding dress designer
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for the French fashion house Givenchy. The dress was made in Paris by a small team of ateliers and was designed to showcase a "timeless minimal elegance". 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 dress was also inspired by Markle's affinity for Audrey Hepburn, with the off-the-shoulder neckline taking influence from the iconic Givenchy dress Hepburn wore in the 1957 film Funny Face. Markle also chose two favourite flowers – wintersweet, which grows outside Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace, and the California poppy, from her home state – to be embroidered on her veil, along with flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth.
Markle chose Waight Keller because she wanted to highlight the success of a leading British talent and because of the designer's elegant aesthetic and relaxed demeanour. The dress was estimated to cost about $265,000, which the bride paid for herself, and required 3,900 hours of design for the veil, eight fittings, and five months of collaboration between Markle and the design team.
The dress received mixed reviews from the public, with some describing it as "beautiful" and "stunning", while others called it "boring", "baggy", and "ill-fitting". Critics noted that the dress seemed like an attempt to mimic the late fashion icon Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, whose wedding gown Markle had previously described as "everything goals".
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Meghan's dress and its similarities to previous royal dresses
Meghan Markle's wedding dress, designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, was a custom gown featuring a bateau neckline, three-quarter-length sleeves, and a sleek silhouette. The dress received mixed reviews, with some praising its timeless elegance and others finding it underwhelming. Markle's choice of designer was influenced by Keller's successful tenure at prominent fashion houses and her elegant, relaxed aesthetic.
The media drew comparisons between Markle's dress and those worn by other royal brides. One notable similarity was observed between Markle's dress and the wedding gown of Princess Margaret, which was also designed by Norman Hartnell and featured a similar silk organza fabric. Markle's dress was also likened to the gowns of Angela Brown, who married into the Liechtenstein royal family in 2000, and Mary Donaldson, who wedded the Crown Prince of Denmark in 2004.
Additionally, Markle's dress was compared to a Givenchy dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in the 1957 film "Funny Face." Some critics claimed that the design resembled creations by other fashion houses, including one by Emilia Wickstead. Markle's reception dress, a sleek halter-neck gown by Stella McCartney, was also noted for its modern take on traditional royal aesthetics.
Markle's wedding veil, embroidered with flowers representing the Commonwealth countries, was another notable aspect of her ensemble. The veil included a piece of fabric from the blue dress she wore on her first date with Prince Harry and featured her favourite flowers, wintersweet and the California poppy. The veil's length, at 16 feet, became a topic of discussion and inspired internet memes.
In conclusion, Meghan Markle's wedding dress and veil incorporated meaningful details and reflected her personal style. While it drew comparisons to previous royal dresses, it also set trends and inspired bridal designs with its timeless and elegant aesthetic.
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Meghan's dress and its similarities to other celebrity dresses
Meghan Markle's wedding dress, designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, was a custom-made gown with a bateau neckline and long sleeves. The dress received mixed reviews, with some praising its elegance and timelessness, while others criticised its fit and finish. Markle's dress was compared to several other celebrity dresses, with some noting similarities to outfits worn by Angela Brown, Mary Donaldson, Audrey Hepburn, Princess Margaret, and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. Markle's reception dress, a halter-neck gown by Stella McCartney, was also likened to a dress worn by Karen Mizoguchi and a Chanel dress worn by Stewart. Markle's wedding looks were recreated by an Irish bridal shop, Elody Bride, and designer Shauna Fay, showcasing the influence of her style choices.
Angela Brown, now Princess Angela of Liechtenstein, wore a dress with a similar bateau neckline and long sleeves to her wedding to Prince Maximilian of Liechtenstein in 2000. Mary Donaldson, now Crown Princess of Denmark, also wore a dress with comparable long sleeves and a bateau neckline to her wedding to Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark, in 2004. Markle's dress was also likened to a Givenchy dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in the 1957 film *Funny Face*. While there were some favourable comparisons, others claimed that the dress was identical to a design by Emilia Wickstead.
Princess Margaret's Norman Hartnell silk organza dress, worn at her wedding, was cited as an inspiration for Markle's first ensemble, with its simplicity and trend-setting appeal. Markle's reception dress, on the other hand, drew comparisons to a now-classic wedding gown worn by Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy to her wedding. Markle's sleek and modern halter-neck style echoed the timeless elegance of Bessette-Kennedy's famous wedding look.
In addition to these celebrity dress similarities, Markle's reception dress was also likened to a haltered ensemble worn by Karen Mizoguchi in 2011 during her first public appearance after her engagement. Stewart's pink Chanel dress, although differing in aesthetic, featured a sleeveless turtleneck that resembled the sleek lines of Markle's reception gown. These comparisons highlight the influence of Markle's wedding fashion choices and how they drew inspiration from, as well as inspired, notable celebrity looks.
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Meghan's wedding veil and its significance
Meghan Markle's wedding veil was designed by Clare Waight Keller, who also designed her wedding dress. The veil was made of silk tulle, with flowers embroidered in silk and organza. It was 16.5 feet long and featured a unique and delicate design, with each flower embroidered flat in three dimensions. The veil also included crops of wheat, symbolising love and charity.
The flowers on the veil represented the distinctive flora of each of the 53 Commonwealth countries, as well as the California poppy, in honour of Markle's home state, and wintersweet, which grows at Kensington Palace. Markle wanted to pay homage to the Commonwealth as a way to acknowledge her new role as a member of the royal family. The inclusion of flowers on the veil also echoed the Queen's coronation gown, which featured the eight flowers of the then eight Commonwealth countries.
The veil was met with mixed reviews, with some criticising its style and length and creating an internet meme comparing it to a CVS receipt. However, others found it exquisite and thoughtful, sparking an interest in elaborate veils. Markle's veil was replicated by an Irish bridal shop, along with her wedding dress.
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Meghan's wedding dress and its mixed reviews
Meghan Markle's wedding dress, designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, received mixed reviews from the public and fashion critics. The Duchess of Sussex's wedding dress was praised by some as "beautiful" and "stunning", reflecting a timeless minimal elegance. Markle herself described the dress as "incredibly timeless but still modern", highlighting the simplicity and cleanliness of the design.
However, others criticised the dress as "boring", "baggy", and "ill-fitting", with some even likening it to a "potato sack" and a costume from "The Handmaid's Tale". The dress was also deemed too simple for a royal wedding, lacking the expected opulence and sparkle. The cut, shape, and fabric of the dress were also targeted, with comments on the lack of tailoring and perceived heaviness of the design.
The reception dress, a Stella McCartney halter-neck sheath gown, was generally better received, with many praising its modern and glamorous style.
The debate around Markle's wedding dress sparked discussions on Facebook and Twitter, with some defending the dress's elegance and others expressing disappointment, especially in comparison to other royal wedding dresses. The dress also led to conversations about Markle's race and the expectations surrounding her choice of attire as an American marrying into the British royal family.
The veil, embroidered with flowers representing the Commonwealth countries, also received mixed reviews, with some mocking its length and style, while others appreciated its intricate design and symbolism. Overall, Markle's wedding attire sparked a range of opinions, reflecting the subjective nature of fashion and style preferences.
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Frequently asked questions
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was copied just days after her wedding to Prince Harry on 19 May 2018.
An Irish bridal shop and designer, Shauna Fay of Newry, Ireland, and the Elody Bride shop.
Yes, Meghan Markle wore two dresses on her wedding day. She wore a custom wedding dress designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy for the ceremony and a custom Stella McCartney gown for the reception.
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was inspired by her personal style, which she described as "effortless American style". She also drew inspiration from Audrey Hepburn and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.
Meghan Markle's wedding dress and veil featured a special nod to the Commonwealth, an element that was also present in the Queen's coronation day dress.
