London:
For months, it was the best-kept secret of the wedding. And finally, it kept its date with sartorial destiny.
29-year-old Kate Middleton stepped out of a Rolls Royce at Westminster Abbey in a full-sleeved Chantilly lace dress with a strapless slip underneath. The gown was Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. Ms burton in a press statement said that the new Duchess of Cambridge played an active role in its design.
Commentators praised it as "Grace Kelly-esque." The train, they said, was shorter than expected.
Kate wore her hair partly up, with a tiara made in 1936 that was loaned to her by Queen Elizabeth.
Her only accessories were a pair of tear-drop earrings and the engagement ring that was once worn by her husband's mother, Princess Diana.
Given her love for haute couture in the years before she died, Princess Diana would likely have approved of her daughter-in-laws high-fashion choice.
Designers say the dress will be copied within hours for hundreds of brides taking their cue from the young woman who may someday be Queen of England.
The New York Times reports, "The lace applique for the bodice and skirt was handmade by the Royal School of Needlework, with individual flowers hand-cut from lace (in shapes of roses, thistle, daffodils and shamrocks). The dress is made of ivory and white satin gazar with a skirt in the shape of an opening flower. The satin bodice, narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips in a McQueen signature, is based on Victorian corsetry. The back is finished with 58 gazar and organza covered buttons.
The veil, made of ivory silk tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers, is held in place by a 1936 Cartier tiara, lent to Ms. Middleton by the Queen. (It was bought for her mother by the Duke of York and presented to Queen Elizabeth on her 18th birthday.) Ms. Middleton's earrings -- shaped like oak leaves with a pave set diamond acorn suspended in the center -- are by Robinson Pelham. The shoes are also by McQueen."
29-year-old Kate Middleton stepped out of a Rolls Royce at Westminster Abbey in a full-sleeved Chantilly lace dress with a strapless slip underneath. The gown was Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. Ms burton in a press statement said that the new Duchess of Cambridge played an active role in its design.
Commentators praised it as "Grace Kelly-esque." The train, they said, was shorter than expected.
Kate wore her hair partly up, with a tiara made in 1936 that was loaned to her by Queen Elizabeth.
Her only accessories were a pair of tear-drop earrings and the engagement ring that was once worn by her husband's mother, Princess Diana.
Given her love for haute couture in the years before she died, Princess Diana would likely have approved of her daughter-in-laws high-fashion choice.
Designers say the dress will be copied within hours for hundreds of brides taking their cue from the young woman who may someday be Queen of England.
The New York Times reports, "The lace applique for the bodice and skirt was handmade by the Royal School of Needlework, with individual flowers hand-cut from lace (in shapes of roses, thistle, daffodils and shamrocks). The dress is made of ivory and white satin gazar with a skirt in the shape of an opening flower. The satin bodice, narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips in a McQueen signature, is based on Victorian corsetry. The back is finished with 58 gazar and organza covered buttons.
The veil, made of ivory silk tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers, is held in place by a 1936 Cartier tiara, lent to Ms. Middleton by the Queen. (It was bought for her mother by the Duke of York and presented to Queen Elizabeth on her 18th birthday.) Ms. Middleton's earrings -- shaped like oak leaves with a pave set diamond acorn suspended in the center -- are by Robinson Pelham. The shoes are also by McQueen."
