Hi everyone 🙂 I thought I'd turn to topical events for this morning's feature; The April 2011 Royal Wedding.
Following the announcement earlier in the week of Prince William and Kate Middleton's engagement, the internet has been a BUZZ with speculation over what kind of wedding dress the soon to be 'Princess Katharine' will opt for, and so, I thought it would be fun to see what some of the country's leading names had to say on the matter, to share my thoughts with you and to generate some discussion over what WE all think the Princess will opt for, starting with…
Sassi Holford…
"There are a number of important considerations for Kate Middleton’s wedding gown: it’s a major royal occasion, the size and splendour of Westminster Abbey, whether or not the bride will wear any pieces of royal heritage jewellery. These would suggest a silk gown perhaps with lace detailing on the bodice, and full skirted with a cathedral train.
The skill then is to produce a design that meets the expectations of a royal wedding but also reflects the personality of a fashion conscious, intelligent, young woman. The ‘Yvette’ dress is in silk and has an elegant but flattering cross-front lace bodice emphasised by an empire band with flower detail…"
…a certain Kate worthy wedding dress! Just beautiful…
Image Credit: Sassi Holford
Charlotte Balbier…
“Kate is true English Rose with a touch of glamour and effortless chic, her dress choice should reflect her personality and her modern day fairytale wedding to the Prince. I would dress Kate in a soft Silk gown that is elegant and timeless, I would style kate with a long veil and accessories from the Royal’s treasure box!
I would keep Kate fresh, young, stylish with a fashion edge without compromising her elegant chic style.”
Charlotte Balbier is a British Bridal Wear Designer...
Love My Dress Wedding Blog, Photography Copyright (c) 2010, Charlotte Balbier
Mark Niemierko…
"I think Kate will go for something traditional with a nod to her young and modern fashion taste. I'd hope a fitted number to show off her fabulous figure. Perhaps with a kick of a train, but no where near as extreme as Williams mothers dress.
I'd love to see a british designer dress her, perhaps Bruce Oldfield, Jenny Packham or Jasper Conran. Why isn't Oscar de la Renta English – otherwise he'd be my favourite!"
Mark Niemierko is a top London Wedding Planner
Credit: Jasper Conran Bride
Image Credit: Jenny Packham
Natalie Gladman, for Madeline Isaac-James
“Kate is an independent, self-assured young woman who has her own innate sense of style. She carries herself with a fabulous understated elegance and is able to combine traditional elements (as is required of a Royal wardrobe), with youthful, on-trend exuberance – a great combination! We think that a gorgeous silk taffeta gown such as ‘Carole’ from our 2011 Candlelit Collection (left) would fit the bill beautifully.
Combining traditional elements with a modern twist, the Carole gown has a beautiful beaded lace bodice, V-neckline (without being too low) and pretty sleeves – perfect for a wedding at Westminster Abbey in London. This gown, with its full skirt and a cathedral length train, successfully combines a classic, timeless style with a modern twist, and would work beautifully with a cathedral length heirloom veil and perhaps a stunning Royal tiara from the Royal collection.”
Natalie Gladman is Head Designer at Madeline Isaac-James
Linda Davey, Designer, Dresses at No. 9…
"It’s been a hot topic has this obviously and I have read that Katharine’s wedding dress, predicted by a bridal fashion expert, will be a demure, high necked, hand-embroidered, lace couture gown.
Looking back at many of the other Royal wedding gowns, they all seem to follow a particular pattern. I would like to see a full skirt, something fit for a princess and every brides fantasy, but nothing too heavy which could look like it may break her delicate frame. I feel her shoulders should be covered but not necessarily with sleeves. This could be a stipulation from The Palace however.
So, what do I think Kate will opt for? Full skirt, elegance not fussy, definitely silk taffeta or a Duchess satin. Nothing too revealing at the chest/neckline so perhaps a scoop neck with bodice detail, and straps to hug the shoulders so these are covered. It will need to be fitting for a future queen so timeless is the key."
Linday Davey, Designer, Dresses at No. 9
Image Credit: Bruce Oldfield
Xetan Jethwa, Creative director at Jessica Farringdon Brides…
"Looking at William and Kate at the press conference to announce their engagement, there is no doubting that they are a truly modern royal couple and the outfit she chose to make the announcement should give us some clues as to her style choices for the big day. The fitted Daniella Issa Helayel dress was both traditional, but youthful, creating a striking silhouette. And I believe that it's this combination of time-honoured with a modern twist that will form the foundation for Kate's wedding dress design. There is already speculation that she will use the Brazil-born fashionista to create the dress, but I can't help but feel that she will opt for a British designer, in keeping with the patriotic feel of the event.
We have to remember that the formality of the occasion, and the convention-rich family that she is marrying into, will mean that we're unlikely to see anything overly daring. There will be no dramatically plunging necklines and I fully expect the bride's shoulders to be covered. When it comes to colour, I would be very surprised to see any diversion from the traditional white or champagne. Saying that, Kate will be 29 when she walks down the aisle, so I would certainly like to see some vibrancy in the design.
One thing she will be keen to avoid is volume and, of course, direct comparisons with the wedding of Charles and Diana. The meringue-style dresses and monumental trains favoured by Diana and Sarah Ferguson are better confined to another era and I would like to see Kate opting for a more modern-cut, perhaps with a fishtail hemline.
Her figure should be accentuated, but it must be done in a subtle and classy way so as not to cheapen the image of the new Princess. In the same vein, detailing should be refined. I wouldn't expect to see crystals and sequins used to a high extent, but rather classic embroidery and detailing. Kate has the personality and style to work with her designer to create a dress that redefines our expectations of Royal weddings, whilst echoing the tradition that she is becoming a part of, and I truly hope that she takes the opportunity to do so.
My only hope is that she doesn't chose to play it too safe. I'm hoping to see detailing or a cut that helps to create the wow factor that the world is expecting."
Ketan Jethwa, Creative director at Jessica Farringdon Brides
Image Credit: Phllipa Lepley
My thoughts?
Well, I suppose my first thoughts were that we'd see Kate in a classic, fitted number with a very subtle fishtail, that would accentuate her waste, but actually, I think I'd rather see Kate in something similar to this beautiful Caroline Castigliano dress below. What an exceptionally beautiful gown, with it's full skirt and floaty fabric. If Kate is going to get away with anything sleeveless (which I doubt she will, due to Royal dress protocol), I would hope it is via a gown like this…
Of course, what I'd honestly adore to see Kate in is a vintage style gown,- something all together more reflective of a bygone era, something less formal, something in charmeuse silk that falls beautifully to the floor and boasts a couple of metres of train that glides beautifully behind the blushing bride. Something that would accentuate Kate's slim waist and probably with a low cut back too, as a nod towards towards Kate's youthfulness – even if the detail around the front of the dress ensured nothing too revealing.
A dress similar to the one below right by Australian Designer Johanna Johnson is probably my dream Kate dress, but I'm fairly certain that Kate will play it much safer in terms of her design….
Image Credit: Johanna Johnson
Kate Halfpenny would no doubt create something vintage style and beautiful…
Whatever dress Kate opts for, the design will be entirely unique, a bespoke gown designed and created purely for the Princess and crafted using only the finest of fabrics and embelishments available in the world. The designer will probably be a British one, and I would be so thrilled if it were one of the lesser known designers – what a wonderful way to catapult a career in bridal gown design into the stratosphere and to support the British Fashion Design and Wedding Industry's.
One thing for certain is – I can't WAIT to find out what Kate does actually go for! I recall Lady Diana and Prince Charles' wedding vivdly despite being so young at the time, and I think witnessing their Son tie the knot next year could be a fairly emotional experience for everyone watching, as they reflect on the sadness of past events. But this will be a time to celebrate together! There's no doubt about it, I'm hugely looking forward to to the wedding celebrations next year – to decorating the house with bunting, getting my little wavy Union Jack flag out and raising a glass to the Royal Couple.
Cheers!
Just please don't play it too safe Kate, and please opt for a young British Designer who would really benefit from the exposure – let's support our home-grown talent!
Have your say – leave a comment in the box below and let us know what you think Kate will go for. What what you rather she avoid and who do you think the designer could possibly be?
Much love,
Annabel 🙂 xXx
♥
Annabel View all Annabel's articles
Founder of Love My Dress. Passionate Podcaster and Editor. Annabel lives in rural North Yorkshire with her husband and business partner Philip, their two daughters and menagerie of furry hounds. She loves photography, meditation, walking, being outdoors and star gazing. She is fierce when it comes to championing talent within the wedding industry and when she's not working on Love My Dress, she supports her husband Philip in the running of the family's sustainable flower farm and floral design business, Moonwind Flowers. In 2013, she became a published author.
