As Kate Middleton walked up the aisle during her wedding to Britain's Prince William last year, millions of people worldwide marvelled at her bridal gown.
The future Duchess of Cambridge was wearing an intricate ivory satin dress, with lace floral detail, designed by Sarah Burton, of the Alexander McQueen fashion house. The gown - dubbed by fashion experts 'the wedding dress of the century' - reportedly cost GBP250,000 (about HK$3 million).
Hongkonger Mimi Chan Wai-han was one of two dozen of the best embroiderers at Britain's Royal School of Needlework who realised Burton's vision. They meticulously hand-stitched onto silk the lace which had been made into motifs symbolising the nations ruled over by the royal family - the rose (for England), thistle (Scotland), daffodil (Wales), and shamrock (Northern Ireland).
Chan was the best and only Chinese student in the history of the school's diploma course.
'It was a huge honour for an ordinary woman from Hong Kong like me to be involved in the historic project,' says Chan. 'I felt as if I'd won the jackpot.'
For months, the team worked in the strictest secrecy to create the lace applique. Chan said workers washed their hands every 30 minutes to keep the lace and threads pristine, while the needles were renewed every three hours, to keep them sharp and clean.