Revealed: Kate Middleton Has Inspired A Decade Of Celebrity Brides And Their Dresses

Apr 29, 2021 by apost team

Ten years ago, Kate Middleton and Prince William had one of the most highly publicized weddings yet. Their relationship and engagement were very positively received by the public, so it was only natural that her wedding would be the talk of the town. As soon as the engagement announcement went out, people were dying to find out what kind of dress Middleton would be wearing for her big day.

Town & Country Magazine reported that Middleton eventually chose the creative director at Alexander McQueen and Sarah Burton to design her wedding dress. As shoulders and arms have to be covered in the church according to royal protocol, Middleton appeared in a long-sleeved lace dress that was partially inspired by Grace Kelly's wedding dress from 1956. The public was blown away by Middleton's wedding gown and many bridal shops soon sold knockoffs of the dress. 

Since she debuted the wedding dress, she has essentially inspired the fashion industry to follow suit, and more importantly, set the course for a new generation of wedding dresses. Many celebrities have since chosen the signature lace long sleeves and bodice that Middleton wore, and their dresses have been unique while also borrowing major elements from the duchess' iconic gown.

On the milestone 10th anniversary of Middleton and William's wedding day, we are taking a look back at how Middleton's wedding dress has been a game-changer for wedding dress styles in the last decade, and how other celebrities have been inspired by Middleton's unique sense of style. Even though it has been ten years since the famous wedding day, dresses like that of Middleton's have continued to dominate the market. 

Celebrity stylist Karen Williams spoke to the Daily Mail's FEMAIL about how she believes Middleton has changed the face of the wedding dress market since her wedding. Middleton's $349,000 intricate look, which also included the world’s best hand-sewn lace bodice from the Royal School of Needlework, was an instant sensation when it debuted at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011.

"I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Kim Kardashian, Jacqueline Josa, Nicky Hilton and others (including my own wedding dress) chose lace long sleeves," said Williams, adding, "No matter what tweaks or differences the celebrity wedding dresses have, their designs have changed forever, because there is one stand-alone dress with the bar set as high as that."

Kim Kardashian was one of the stars who followed in the lace-layered path that Middleton began. Her wedding in May 2014 was also notoriously reported upon for its extravagance. Her Givenchy Bridal Gown, which was designed by Riccardo Tisci and cost around $250,000, as per Hello Magazine, had some signature Middleton dress characteristics, namely the long lace arms, a tight bodice and a floor-length flowing skirt. 

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Socialite and heir Nicky Hilton also followed in Middleton's footsteps, as she chose a dress that featured an hourglass silhouette, long lace arms and a white corset of blocks that was highly reminiscent of Middleton's dress. She married banker James Rothschild in 2015. 

Recalling Middleton's dress, Williams said, "I expected something classic, beautiful and elegant, but I don’t think anyone expected her dress to be this great. In this Alexander McQueen work, her pure elegance, beauty and detail seemed to captivate the whole world."

Another celebrity who seemed to be swept away by Middleton's dress and took inspiration was "Game of Thrones" actress Rose Leslie, who married her co-star Kit Harington in 2018. Her dress also had long lace sleeves and a soft, full skirt that unfolded on the floor as she walked. 

Other celebrities that have borrowed from Middleton's dress concept are Kate Upton, Sophie Turner and Ashlee Simpson, all of whom chose long lace sleeves for their wedding. 

Speaking about the dress, Sarah Burton, one of the designers of Middleton's dress said that the dress had "a Victorian essence, but I cut the dress in a very modern way. It’s a very light fabric, and the pleats and creases create a modern feel, not a historic piece."

Williams also spoke about how Middleton's influence doesn't just stop at celebrities. "From the moment our new fashion icon walks down the aisle, what she has given to every girl in the world, whatever their wealth, can look and feel like a princess all day long. It was a chance," she said. 

Middleton has in many ways permanently changed the face of the wedding industry and charted a new style of wedding dresses all over the world. "Everything about this was just genius. Every now and then magic is created by the coming together of a fabulous outfit and the person wearing it," added Williams. 

"I believe this was one of those magical moments, and this inspired all the big designers, right down to the small independent wedding dressmakers to rush into creating copycat dresses that flooded the industry."

What did you think of Kate Middleton's bridal gown when it first debuted in 2011? Do you know anyone else whose wedding dress was inspired by the Duchess of Cambridge? Tell us about it, and be sure to let others know about how influential Kate has been in her style.