Meghan Markle’s Givenchy gown brings a touch of modernity to the British monarchy
The royal wedding dress worn by the new Duchess of Sussex was elegant and stylish, and provided spectacular exposure for the fashion designer
The royal wedding was seen as a moment of modernisation for the royal family. It was a melding of cultures and, while still steeped in tradition, often broke from the expected. One such surprise was the bride’s wedding gown, the singular defining style the world was waiting to see. And it was no fairy-tale princess dress.
Meghan Markle chose a simple, sculptural design by Givenchy that was absolutely elegant. Made of double bonded silk cady, it had a wide bateau neck just easing over the edge of each shoulder. It was topped by a five-metre-long veil of silk tulle trimmed in hand-embroidered flowers. Her flowing train heightened the drama as she strode past the friends, family and celebrities in attendance to meet Prince Harry in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
Other couture labels got shout-outs at the wedding as well, thanks to the star-studded guest list. Their entrances had all the buzz of a Hollywood red carpet. Serena Williams wore a pink Versace dress, Amal Clooney wore custom Stella McCartney, and Priyanka Chopra wore a grey suit from Vivienne Westwood. But Meghan was the star.
A royal wedding stamp of approval means spectacular exposure for a fashion designer, given the family’s powerful influence on fashion as representatives of sophistication and glamour. When Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, or Markle, her new sister-in-law, wear an outfit in public, it’s quickly dissected by the glossies and made shoppable for all thanks to a flood of knock-offs. This massive commercial enterprise even applies to the clothing worn by the royal children, seen at the wedding on Saturday trailing Markle down the aisle. Of course, all of these items often sell out in a hurry.
For designers, it’s not just money that flows from the sartorial choices of the royals – there’s also recognition. In 2011, Kate Middleton wore a dress by Sarah Burton, creative director of Alexander McQueen, when she tied the knot with Prince William. Burton won designer of the year accolades at that year’s British Fashion Awards and The Fashion Museum Bath declared her creation the dress of the year.
