Ever since her engagement with Prince Harry was announced, Meghan Markle became an overnight fashion icon. Whatever she wears seem to guarantee a sell-out for the brand. The headline “who will design Meghan Markle’s wedding dress?’ is on every newspaper’s fashion column and all of the glossy magazines. Rumour has it, designers such as Erdem Moralioglu, Misha Nonoo, Oscar de la Renta, Jenny Packham and Emilia Wickstead are among the list.
As a bridal designer, I couldn’t help but thinking what dress I could design to accentuate her beauty. In order to design a wedding dress, I must get to know the person I am designing the dress for. How would I do that? Flying to London and breaking into Kensington Palace is definitely not an option, is it? Luckily she is a public figure so on to Wikipedia and Google I go! After the research I felt I started to know the ‘public’ her a little bit more. Everyone is unique and beautiful in their own way. For me, I love her simple chic style. It’s my gem too, right?
An ivory classic dress with a modern twist is for you, Meghan!
To design and make a bespoke wedding dress, I normally start with face and body analysis for my clients.
So first off, which neckline? She has a square-ish jawline with a slightly pointy chin. Her body is very well proportioned with wide shoulders and slender legs. I would avoid pointy V neckline and opt for round neck, wide opening or halter neck to soften her facial feature. Winsor Castle is less formal than Westminster Abbey, Meghan would have slightly less pressure of having to wear a full on ball gown. However, I doubt that she will wear a strapless dress for the big day. So on the sketch, I added guipure lace cup sleeves and slightly overlap with side of her bust. This will create an illusion of narrower shoulder and interesting details on the top of the dress.
To balance her body shape, I would make the top quite fitted and add volume from the waist down to create the ideal hour glass feminine form. The skirt would be fitted with the overlay peplum extends to a medium train. You can see the fitted skirt which accentuates her hips and slender legs.
To finish it off, some subtle decoration is all this dress would need. As a nod to her heritage, I picked the California State flower golden poppy to be pattern designed and hand embroidered to the edge of the overskirt in tonal colour.
Tadaaa, here is the complete sketch!
Should Meghan you choose to be less conventional, here are some ideas for your ‘Dare Devil’ dress. Your dress your choice! Can we meet yet? 😉
For brides who are getting married in 2018 and beyond, if you have any questions about turning your vision into a reality please get in touch. You can email me, fill the contact form or ring the number 07758163185. Please do join our Facebook Group ‘Be Unique, Be You’ where you can get insider info and exclusive offers not just for bridal wear. Your magical experience starts here…
Atelier 5 Couture is a bespoke designer bridal studio based in Chester, Cheshire. Speak to us if you find:
– the dresses in shops are too similar, not unique enough
– you are conscious about one part of your body and can’t find a dress that flatter your body shape and tick all the boxes
– you are religious but cannot find a modest wedding dress that is stylish and elegant
– you don’t have a lot of time go dress shopping
– you have a vision about your dream dress but it’s not in shops
– you have no idea what dress suits you
Work with us, you will find:
- You own a dress that is completely unique, no one else in this world has the same dress
- Save you time go dress shopping
- Less stressed about when you will get your dress, a schedule is set up from first fitting to delivery
- Experience the magical, once in a life time bespoke wedding dress journey
- Confident that you will look and feel amazing on your wedding day
- You are in control! We design the dress together. You can amend design details in the early stage of your bespoke journey
To the magical day x
image source – bestoflifecentral.com and wikipedia
All design sketches – Yifan Nairn at ‘Atelier 5 Couture’