Meghan Markle Wedding Dress: A Detailed Guide To Her Iconic Givenchy Gown

October 01, 2023 3 min read

Meghan Markle Wedding Dress

Meghan Markle's wedding dress has been a topic of interest ever since she tied the knot with Prince Harry on May 19, 2018. Designed by the British fashion designer Clare Waight Keller, artistic director of the fashion house Givenchy, the dress was a simple yet elegant creation that epitomized a timeless minimal elegance referencing the codes of the iconic House of Givenchy. The dress was made of double-bonded silk cady, with a boat neckline and three-quarter-length sleeves. The veil was made of silk tulle, and the train was five meters long.

 

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Admiration for simplicity

The dress was widely praised for its simplicity and elegance, with many fashion experts calling it a modern classic. The design was a departure from the more traditional royal wedding dresses of the past, which were often heavily embellished and featured long trains. Meghan's dress was also seen as a nod to her modern sensibilities and her desire to make a statement with her fashion choices. The dress was complemented by a diamond tiara, lent to Meghan by Queen Elizabeth II, and a pair of simple diamond earrings.

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The Controversy

The dress was not without controversy, however, with some critics arguing that it was too simple and lacked the drama and grandeur of previous royal wedding dresses. Nevertheless, Meghan's dress has become an iconic piece of fashion history, and has inspired countless imitations and interpretations in the years since the royal wedding.

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The Designer Behind the Dress

The designer behind Meghan Markle's iconic wedding dress was Clare Waight Keller, a British designer and the artistic director of French fashion house Givenchy. Keller was chosen for the job by Markle herself, who had admired her work for Givenchy.

Keller worked closely with Markle to create a dress that was simple yet regal, with a focus on the fabric and the cut. The dress featured a boatneck neckline, long sleeves, and a flowing train, with no embellishments or lace. The fabric was a double-bonded silk cady, which gave the dress a smooth and structured look.

Keller also designed the veil that Markle wore, which was made of silk tulle and featured a hand-embroidered design of flowers representing the countries of the Commonwealth. The veil was 16 feet long and required hundreds of hours of handwork to create.

Keller's design for Markle's wedding dress was praised for its elegance and simplicity, and it has since become one of the most iconic wedding dresses of all time. Keller herself has become a household name, and her work for Givenchy has continued to receive critical acclaim.

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The Wedding Dress Details

The Material

Meghan Markle's wedding dress was made of double bonded silk cady, a luxurious fabric that is known for its softness and durability. The underskirt was made of triple silk organza, which added volume and structure to the gown. The silk tulle veil was also a prominent feature of the dress.

The Design

The wedding dress had a simple and elegant design with a boat neckline and three-quarter sleeves. The sculpted waist and underskirt created a flattering silhouette that accentuated Meghan's figure. The graphic open bateau neckline was a unique feature that added a touch of modernity to the classic design.

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The Embroidery

The dress was adorned with intricate embroidery that featured floral motifs representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth. The embroidery included wintersweet, California poppy, and wheat, among other flowers.

The Train and Veil

The train of the dress was five meters long and made of triple silk organza. The veil was made of silk tulle and measured 16 feet long. It was embroidered with the same floral motifs as the dress and held in place by a diamond bandeau tiara that belonged to Queen Mary.

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The Reception Dress

For the reception, Meghan changed into a Stella McCartney halter-neck gown made of silk crepe. The dress had a slinky, figure-hugging design that contrasted with the simplicity of the wedding dress.

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Comparisons and inspiration

Meghan's wedding dress drew inspiration from the iconic wedding gowns of Audrey Hepburn and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. The boat neckline was reminiscent of Hepburn's wedding dress, while the sculpted waist and underskirt were similar to Bessette-Kennedy's.

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The Accessories

Meghan wore simple Cartier diamond earrings and a bracelet on her wedding day. She also wore a pair of Aquazzura shoesmade of satin. The shoes had a pointed toe and a low-cut vamp that complemented the boat neckline of the dress.

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