Well-kept secret about Kate’s wedding dress designer, is finally revealed. The gown is a design by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen’s fashion house. Kate Middleton chose British brand Alexander McQueen for the beauty of its craftsmanship and its respect for traditional workmanship and the technical construction of clothing.
The dress is made of French Chantilly lace and English Cluny lace throughout the bodice, skirt and underskirt. The dress, made of ivory and white satin gazar, was designed to emulate an opening flower. The train measures 2.7 meters. The lace on the bride’s dress details a rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock, and was hand-made by the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace. Her handmade shoes, also by McQueen, were composed of ivory duchesse satin and lace. Workers washed their hands every 30 minutes to make sure the lace and threads remained pristine. Needles were swapped every three hours to keep them sharp.
Kate wore her hair – which has become her signature – in a demi Chignon with the Queen’s little-known 1936 Cartier “halo” tiara as her “something borrowed”. She opted not to wear a necklace but did have a pair of beautiful pear-shaped diamond drop earrings, which were a wedding gift from her parents.
The bride’s bouquet is a shield-shaped wired bouquet of myrtle, lily-of-the-valley, sweet William and hyacinth. It was designed by Shane Connolly. Prince William is wearing the uniform of colonel of the Irish Guards, as well as his Royal Air Force wings.
“It has been the experience of a lifetime to work with Catherine Middleton to create her wedding dress, and I have enjoyed every moment of it,” Burton said in a statement. “It was such an incredible honour to be asked, and I am so proud of what we and the Alexander McQueen team have created. I am delighted that the dress represents the best of British craftsmanship.”
Kate Middleton's wedding dress is an ivory gown with lace applique floral detail designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen
Kate Middleton's wedding dress is an ivory gown with lace applique floral detail designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen
Kate Middleton's wedding dress is an ivory gown with lace applique floral detail designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen
Kate Middleton's wedding dress is an ivory gown with lace applique floral detail designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen
