Oh happy, happy day. Kate Middleton's wedding dress is a triumph for British fashion.
The message of this wedding dress is clear. Kate looks every bit the princess, but nothing at all like Princess Diana. My fear before the wedding was that, in wanting to avoid the overblown, Dynasty-esque glamour of Diana, Kate would opt for safety and understatement. Instead, the slender lace sleeves and the glory of the swagged train, the piety of the neckline and the splendour of the chantilly lace all draw on the wedding dress of fashion's favourite princess bride, Grace Kelly. With this dress, Kate has redrawn the order of princess succession. She has stepped out of Diana's shadow, but by making a strong visual connection to Princess Grace, made a strong statement that she intends to look every inch the princess.
The choice of Sarah Burton is a fistpump moment for everyone who loves and cheerleads British fashion. Fashion is one arena in which this country is truly world class, and Burton represents that. She is one of the most talented designers working today, not just in Britain but in the world. Her clothes are fearlessly creative and realised with a fierce attention to detail. Her most recent show featured a corset made of mosaic porcelain, which had been made as one piece, deliberately shattered into shards, and then resewn, piece by piece.
The choice of Burton, who was Alexander McQueen's right-hand woman and succeeded him after his death, is an encouraging sign of boldness from the woman dubbed Waity Katy. Some at Clarence House must have been concerned that for many of the people watching today, the McQueen name means suicide, darkness and tragedy, not tailoring and beauty. Kate could have picked a far safer name. To pick McQueen is inspired, because the label has always been about telling stories through clothes, and that is what a day like this is all about. It is the perfect choice.
The dress will do what seemed unthinkable a year ago, and make Sarah Burton more famous than McQueen himself. As of today, being a princess is back in fashion.
The message of this wedding dress is clear. Kate looks every bit the princess, but nothing at all like Princess Diana. My fear before the wedding was that, in wanting to avoid the overblown, Dynasty-esque glamour of Diana, Kate would opt for safety and understatement. Instead, the slender lace sleeves and the glory of the swagged train, the piety of the neckline and the splendour of the chantilly lace all draw on the wedding dress of fashion's favourite princess bride, Grace Kelly. With this dress, Kate has redrawn the order of princess succession. She has stepped out of Diana's shadow, but by making a strong visual connection to Princess Grace, made a strong statement that she intends to look every inch the princess.
The choice of Sarah Burton is a fistpump moment for everyone who loves and cheerleads British fashion. Fashion is one arena in which this country is truly world class, and Burton represents that. She is one of the most talented designers working today, not just in Britain but in the world. Her clothes are fearlessly creative and realised with a fierce attention to detail. Her most recent show featured a corset made of mosaic porcelain, which had been made as one piece, deliberately shattered into shards, and then resewn, piece by piece.
The choice of Burton, who was Alexander McQueen's right-hand woman and succeeded him after his death, is an encouraging sign of boldness from the woman dubbed Waity Katy. Some at Clarence House must have been concerned that for many of the people watching today, the McQueen name means suicide, darkness and tragedy, not tailoring and beauty. Kate could have picked a far safer name. To pick McQueen is inspired, because the label has always been about telling stories through clothes, and that is what a day like this is all about. It is the perfect choice.
