At 4 a.m. on Friday, women at UNC-CH could be found doing one of three things: studying for exams, sleeping or watching the royal wedding.
Other than the guest list, wedding fashion is probably one of the most talked about aspects of the event. In the weeks before the wedding, there was speculation about Kate Middleton’s dress and what it would be like in comparison to Princess Diana’s wedding dress. Kate was able to keep the dress a secret from not only her husband, but also from the media, who carefully watched the development of the royal wedding.
In 1981, Princess Diana wore a dress designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel with a 25-foot train. The dress was replicated around the globe and was a fashion staple of the 1980s.
Kate, who did her own make-up, looked stunning as she walked down the aisle in an ivory, white and lace dress designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. Unlike Diana, Kate’s train was two meters, modest in comparison to other royal brides’ dresses.
The dress design pays tribute to the Arts and Crafts tradition, which advocated truth to materials and traditional craftsmanship using simple forms and often Romantic styles of decoration. After the wedding, the dress was praised as classic and timeless.
According to a press release, Middleton wished for her dress to “combine tradition and modernity with the artistic vision that characterizes Alexander McQueen’s work. Miss Middleton worked closely with Sarah Burton in formulating the design of her dress.”
Many noted Kate’s gown was similar to Grace Kelly’s wedding dress in 1956. Grace Kelly, also a commoner, married Ranier II, Prince of Monaco.
The Duchess of Cambridge also wore the Queen’s 1936 Cartier “halo” tiara as her “something borrowed.”
Pippa Middleton, the maid-of-honor and bride’s sister, also wore a stunning full-length, ivory gown while the bridesmaids wore creations by Nikki Macfarlane.
Only hours after the wedding, replicas of Kate’s dress could be purchased around the globe. The fashion of the royal wedding is sure to be talked about for years.
Sources:
NY Daily News – http://nydn.us/k6WB5r
Sky News – http://bit.ly/k82dmM
Royal Wedding – http://www.officialroyalwedding2011.org/
Photo credit:
http://www.hercampus.com/founders-blog/best-images-royal-wedding