On April 29, 2011, the world watched (some of us in the wee hours of the morning) as Britain’s most eligible prince and the elegant Kate Middleton exchanged vows in a fairy tale wedding at Westminster Abbey. Pomp and circumstance surrounded the bride and groom as we all celebrated the union of two young people in love. But there was a third character in this fairy tale—Kate’s dress.
The ivory gown, featuring a Victorian-inspired lace appliqué bodice, was designed by Sarah Burton, longtime assistant to famed British designer Alexander McQueen. Upon first catching a glimpse of the bride, designers Michelle and Henry Roth—who sell exclusively to Kleinfeld Bridal Salon in New York City—set to work in sketching every detail of the gown and rushing to fabric stores to acquire the necessary materials. Hours of pinning and stitching later, “The Kate” was ready for brides-to-be to purchase for $3,700,1 mere pennies compared to the estimated $83,000 that Kate spent on the original.2 No word yet from the Dutchess of Cambridge (or Sarah Burton) as to how she feels about her custom-made gown being copied by other designers.
