News
Who Will Design Kate Middleton’s Wedding Dress? Meet the Designers On the Short List
By Leah Chernikoff
Now that Prince Wills has popped the question to his longtime girlfriend Kate Middleton (and we’ve seen the ring), the question on everyone’s mind is: what will she wear?
We came up with some fantastical suggestions for Kate–from Erdem to Marchesa to J. Crew–but Middleton will more than likely go with a British bridal designer who reflects her personal style which is clean, simple and safe. Which means, sadly, McQueen and Westwood are probably out of the running. Since news broke yesterday of the royal engagement, a few designer names have been singled out by the British press (including British Vogue and Hilary Alexander at the Telegraph) as front runners: Amanda Wakeley, Daniella “Issa” Helayel and Bruce Oldfield. Other names thrown into the mix are Stewart Parvin, who has a royal warrant, Jenny Packham, and Phillipa Lepley, whom Alexander describes as “Sloaney” (American translation: WASPy, preppy, girly, Upper East Side-y).
Hilariously, online betting site Paddy Power has even set up “Royal Wedding Dress Designer Betting,” creating odds on which designer has the best shot of getting the coveted job. According to the site, Amanda Wakeley and Daniella Halayel are the favorites to design Kate’s wedding dress at 9/2. They’ve also placed Elizabeth Emanuel, who designed Princess Diana’s dress with her former husband David, at 5/1 odds, and Vivienne Westwood at 6/1 odds so maybe there is hope for Dame Westwood.
A little bit more about the front runners and their designs.
Tags: Amanda Wakeley, Bruce Oldfield, Jenny Packham, Kate Middleton, Phillipa Lepley, Princess Diana
Designer(s): Alexander McQueen, Issa, Vivienne Westwood
Most Popular Stories
Comments [28]
Popular Stories
The 10 Best YouTube Hair Tutorials
The 10 Best YouTube Makeup Tutorials 
Fashion's Most Stylish Guys Give Mark Zuckerberg an (Almost!) Hoodie-Free Makeover for Facebook's IPO
Style and Substance: 10 Ladies Who Have Proven You Can Have Both
10 Beauty Boards You Should Be Following on Pinterest
On an unrelated note (sorry, I had to make sure this was seen), no coverage of Bravo’s new “The Fashion Show: Ultimate Collection”?
Good point. I’m on it!
Good point. I’m on it!
WOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We also think Westwood is probably out of the question, but wouldn’t it be fun if she surprised us?
http://stylesectionla.com/blog/2010/11/16/tuesday-afternoon-gorgeousness-princess-dianas-engagement-ring-seals-the-deal/
I never thought “they” would choose a world famous designer, it just seems more polarizing and uncharacteristic of how they do things, but I think Westwood would be a super savvy choice. She’s exuberant, yes, but she’s also totally a member of the old guard of British fashion. I think her dramatic aesthetic would be so flattering to Kate, and I a recognizable name like VW would draw more interest. I bet they’re trying to avoid lackluster comparisons to the 1981 wedding. They don’t want to hear that only a tenth of the people tuned in to watch, which seems likely to be the case.
Sarah Treble bridal couture- English, ex St Martins, ex Valention, beautiful unique modern ….
I really believe Vivienne Westwood could make a traditional, dramatic, appropriate dress that would make Kate look like the most beautiful woman in the world.
I really believe Vivienne Westwood could make a traditional, dramatic, appropriate dress that would make Kate look like the most beautiful woman in the world.
I fully agree! I also think the Westwood design would be body conscious yet stylish and fashionable at the same time. She needs to make a statement at her wedding. Everybody’s going to be expecting something more than clean lines and conservative style
Right? even though she has an amazing trim figure, the voluptuousness that VW would bring to the dress would be so dramatic, so fashionable, yet so fitting for a Princess. I basically just want her to wear the dress from SATC1, okay? I’m not embarrassed.
I fully agree! I also think the Westwood design would be body conscious yet stylish and fashionable at the same time. She needs to make a statement at her wedding. Everybody’s going to be expecting something more than clean lines and conservative style
I fully agree! I also think the Westwood design would be body conscious yet stylish and fashionable at the same time. She needs to make a statement at her wedding. Everybody’s going to be expecting something more than clean lines and conservative style
I really believe Vivienne Westwood could make a traditional, dramatic, appropriate dress that would make Kate look like the most beautiful woman in the world.
I really believe Vivienne Westwood could make a traditional, dramatic, appropriate dress that would make Kate look like the most beautiful woman in the world.
I really believe Vivienne Westwood could make a traditional, dramatic, appropriate dress that would make Kate look like the most beautiful woman in the world.
I vote westwood – British fashion royalty for British actual royalty – a match made in heaven, surely?
I vote westwood – British fashion royalty for British actual royalty – a match made in heaven, surely?
I think it’s the perfect mix of avant garde fashion cred and old guard British fashion cred. If it were any other world famous fashion name, I wouldn’t think it was appropriate. However, I definitely doubt that she will be able to choose a “celebrity” designer like Vivienne, even if she is so esteemed. It will likely be someone that the majority of the population can never have heard of.
Kind of makes sense, they don’t want to choose a designer that will have fallen from grace in 10 years time. Imagine if Di had chosen a very current designer in the early 80′s, it likely would seem ridiculous now.
It kind of freaks me out how Kate wore blue like Diana did on top of having her ring. I wouldn’t wear that ring after everything that happened.
i don’t get why christopher bailey isn’t on any list. granted, he isn’t the first name that comes to mind when someone’s talking about a wedding dress (or even the last). but burberry has a royal warrant, dresses william and harry, and bailey has sent down the catwalk some nice drape-y, chiffon-y, subtle, chic and safe cocktail dresses – the sort of thing i’d totally see kate wearing. all he needs to do is to do a long version of one of those and she’s set for westminster abbey.
CHANEL!
chanel is most likely not in the running. she’s marrying british royalty, and not wearing a british designer at the wedding of the millennium is the biggest faux pas ever.
so sad. but kate doesnt even seem to wear chanel in her every day style anyway
* Whatever she chooses she will be beautiful!
The bookies seriously rate Philippa Lepley right now because – according to the Daily Mail – a few very large bets have been placed on the Chelsea designer. She does seem the perfect choice – very SW1/3, very classic and romantic. Sort of like the Emmanuelles without the puff and flounces.This wedding is going to be big business for betting shops, isn’t it? Weird:the spin-off profits.
Wouldn’t it be fab if his girlfriend had the fashion sense of Daphne Guinness and had to be helped down the isle in cumbersome Dior Haute Couture by Galliano and giant McQueen platforms?She’d have a ridiculously OTT veil by Treacy or Jones and that skunk-striped hair!And loads of huge Stephen Webster diamonds or one of those vast made-to-order necklaces by Chanel Jewelry. So much fun!
Burberry or Vivienne Westwood – even if not much a royalty choice – are the best chances. I am sure Kate will remain faithful to her origins, at least for a “British royal marriage”.
Albert
Burberry or Vivienne Westwood – even if not much a royalty choice – are the best chances. I am sure Kate will remain faithful to her origins, at least for a “British royal marriage”.
Albert