The Royal influence on weddings
After months of speculation and so many rumours that she would wear Erdem or Ralph & Russo, everyone was surprised when Megan Markle, now The Duchess of Sussex, emerged from her car in an exquisitely elegant Givenchy wedding gown.
Megan’s choice of designer Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy was such a well-kept secret.
Her dress was so understated yet feminine, made from finest silk cady with a bateau neckline, long sleeves and an organza underskirt.
The simple silhouette was given a royal boost by a 16.5 foot-long silk tulle veil with flora from each of the 53 Commonwealth countries painstakingly embroidered around the edge.
And for the evening reception, Megan followed the same principle with a bespoke gown from Stella McCartney in lily-white silk crepe that was also simply stunning.
Again this dress relied on cut and fit with its high neck and flared hem that swished beautifully as the new Duchess walked to an E-Type Jaguar with her Prince.
Simplicity does not mean simple to make. In fact, it is the opposite as there is no lace, appliqué or beading to distract the eye so the cut and fit must be perfect and the silk exquisite. To achieve this takes a lot of skill and many fittings.
We can already see that Megan – like Kate – is setting fashion trends and anything she wears is copied. Following Kate and Prince William’s wedding, lace wedding dresses became very popular and this trend has lasted a long time. So perhaps it is time for the pendulum to swing the other way to simpler silhouettes. A word of caution though as Megan’s look is much harder to pull off successfully unless you have her figure and the confidence to believe you can shine in a dress that relies on perfect posture and poise.
I do think long veils will become popular – this is relatively easy to carry off and will add a regal touch to your entrance. Very few brides today wear a veil over their face like Megan did as she walked down the aisle, but many still choose to wear one. Amy wanted a long veil edged with lace and flowers to team with her blush lace and appliqué wedding dress. And when her guests turned to watch her walk towards her groom there were audible gasps…
Lace will never disappear from weddings because it is flattering and easy to wear for both bride and mother of the bride or groom. Rosie wanted to wear lace for her daughter’s wedding, so I made her a duck egg blue lace dress with three quarter length sleeves and a blue silk linen jacket. A matching lace teardrop fascinator and silk linen clutch completed her mother of the bride look.
I am already seeing Megan’s influence. It is only a week since the wedding and I have already had a bride come to see me wanting a long veil edged with flowers.
And another of my clients who is attending her niece’s country wedding in August has just asked me for a knee-length grey silk crepe dress with a hem that swings slightly to go under the cream Chanel-style jacket I am making her.
This is how trends are set… I look forward to seeing how Megan’s gown will influence the brides I will meet at the National Wedding Show in the Autumn.
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