George Boyle
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller, the artistic director of the fashion house Givenchy. The dress was made of double-bonded silk cady, with a boat neckline and three-quarter-length sleeves. The choice of a French brand was seen as a potentially controversial move, as it did not benefit British businesses or the UK economy. The dress received mixed reviews, with some praising its simplicity and elegance, while others criticised its fit, describing it as baggy and ill-fitting. However, the sleeves may have been a practical choice, as a skin-tight cut in such thick fabric could have restricted Markle's movement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding dress designer | Clare Waight Keller |
| Dress brand | Givenchy |
| Dress fabric | Double-bonded silk cady |
| Dress style | Simple, off-the-shoulder, bateau neckline, three-quarter sleeves |
| Veil fabric | Silk and organza |
| Veil length | 16-foot |
| Veil embroidery | Flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, California poppy, wintersweet |
| Veil hidden significance | Blue fabric from Markle's first date with Prince Harry |
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What You'll Learn
The dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy
The dress was designed in Paris by "a small team of ateliers" and required eight fittings and five months of collaboration between the bride and the design team. The choice of designer was also indicative of the Duchess's commitment to empowering women through her global platform. Waight Keller became the first female artistic director of the historic fashion house in 2017. Markle met Waight Keller in early 2018 and chose to work with her to highlight the success of a leading British talent who has served as the creative head of three globally influential fashion houses.
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The dress was simple and modern
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy. The dress was crafted in white silk with precise seam-work that helped create a fluted shape as she walked up the aisle. The gown featured an open bateau neckline, three-quarter-length "bracelet" sleeves, and a 16-foot silk train. The slim three-quarter sleeves added a note of refined modernity and were chosen to allow the bride to move and breathe comfortably in the dress. The dress was also designed with a conservative cut to ensure that the bride could sit and move her arms freely, given the constricting nature of the thick fabric.
The choice of designer was also a bold and rebellious one, as Markle opted for a French designer instead of following Queen Victoria's example of commissioning a British designer. This set a tone of independence and a willingness to break with tradition. The dress itself was also modern and simple, with a sleek and sharp cut that conveyed modernity. The overall effect was a timeless and minimalist look that has been described as "absolute perfection."
The reception dress, designed by Stella McCartney, further emphasized modernity with its high halter neckline and lack of sleeves. This ensemble was described as "wholly modern and totally Meghan." The choice of designer for the reception dress also aligned with the bride's aesthetic and values, as McCartney's design house promotes eco-friendly fashion, vegan leathers, and sustainability.
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The dress was inspired by Audrey Hepburn
Meghan Markle's wedding dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller, Givenchy's first female artistic director. The dress was simple and elegant, with a bateau neckline, three-quarter-length sleeves, and a sculpted waistline. It was made of double-bonded silk cady and featured a train of triple silk organza. The dress was a surprise to many, as it did not include lace, embellishments, or embroidery, which are commonly seen in royal wedding gowns.
The design was inspired by Markle's admiration for Audrey Hepburn and her iconic Givenchy dress from the 1957 movie "Funny Face." The off-the-shoulder neckline of Hepburn's dress influenced the bateau neckline of Markle's gown, which gracefully framed her shoulders and emphasised her slender waist. The choice of designer and style was also indicative of Markle's commitment to empowering women, as she wanted to highlight the success of a leading British talent like Waight Keller, who has led three globally influential fashion houses.
The dress received mixed reviews, with some praising its beauty and elegance, while others found it boring or ill-fitting. However, it is undeniable that the gown made a fashion statement and has become one of the most iconic celebrity wedding ensembles of all time. The collaboration between Markle and Waight Keller resulted in a timeless and elegant creation that defied royal wedding fashion trends and showcased the designer's talent and the royal's unique style.
The dress also held special significance for Markle, as it paid tribute to the Commonwealth with its 5-metre-long veil, which featured flowers representing each of the 53 Commonwealth countries. Additionally, a piece of blue fabric from the dress she wore on her first date with Prince Harry was stitched inside the veil, adding a personal and sentimental touch to her wedding ensemble. The choice of designer, style, and these thoughtful details made Meghan Markle's wedding dress a memorable and meaningful part of her special day.
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The dress paid tribute to the Commonwealth
The veil was a significant part of the outfit, as it paid tribute to the Commonwealth. The veil was embroidered with flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, as well as the California poppy and wintersweet, a flower that grows at Kensington Palace. The veil also included a piece of blue fabric from the dress that Markle wore on her first date with Prince Harry. The veil took hundreds of hours to sew, and the workers had to wash their hands every 30 minutes to keep the fabric pristine.
Markle chose Waight Keller to design her dress because of the designer's "elegant aesthetic" and "relaxed demeanour." Waight Keller became the first female artistic director of the historic French fashion house in 2017. The dress was made in Paris by a small team of ateliers, and Markle and Waight Keller collaborated for five months, with eight fittings, to create the final design.
The choice of a Givenchy gown was also indicative of the Duchess's commitment to empowering women through her global platform. The dress was simple and minimal, a departure from traditional royal wedding dresses, and it received mixed reviews from the public. Some described it as "beautiful" and "stunning," while others found it "boring" or "ill-fitting."
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The dress was criticised by some
The dress worn by Meghan Markle at her wedding to Prince Harry on 19 May 2018 was designed by Clare Waight Keller, the artistic director of Givenchy. The dress was made of double-bonded silk cady and had a bateau neckline, three-quarter-length sleeves, and a sculpted waistline that fell into a train made of triple silk organza. The dress was designed in collaboration with Markle, who chose Waight Keller because of her "elegant aesthetic" and "relaxed demeanour."
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." Celebrity commentators, fashion editors, internet influencers, and Twitter users criticised the cut, shape, and matte satin fabric, calling the finish "dull" and noting a perceived lack of tailoring on the sleeves and waist. The overall effect was described as "heavy," and some critics mocked the veil's style and length, creating an internet meme comparing it to a CVS receipt.
Fashion experts noted that the silk cady fabric would have been difficult to move in if the dress had been more form-fitting. The choice of designer was also unexpected, as Markle chose Waight Keller to highlight the success of a leading British talent who has served as the creative head of globally influential fashion houses. The dress was also a departure from previous royal looks, which have tended to be more ornate and voluminous.
Despite the criticism, the dress has been described as "iconic" and is considered one of the most famous celebrity wedding ensembles of all time. The Duchess of Sussex also explained how her wedding dress paid tribute to the Commonwealth in the documentary "Queen of the World."
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Frequently asked questions
Meghan Markle's wedding dress had sleeves because the slim three-quarter sleeves added a note of refined modernity. The dress was designed by Clare Waight Keller, Givenchy's then creative director, who worked closely with Meghan on the design.
The dress was made of double-bonded silk cady.
The dress had an open bateau neckline, which gracefully framed Meghan's shoulders and emphasised her slender sculpted waist.
Meghan's 16-foot silk tulle veil was embroidered with flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, the California poppy, and wintersweet, a flower that grows at Kensington Palace.
Meghan chose Clare Waight Keller because of her "elegant aesthetic" and "relaxed demeanour." Waight Keller is one of the most talented British designers and became the first female Artistic Director at Givenchy.
