How Kate Middleton’s wedding dress inspired a decade of celebrity brides

Kate Middleton’s wedding dress inspired a decade worth of celebrity copycats and the wedding dress market was flooded with imitations of the famous gown following the 2011 royal wedding, a fashion expert has revealed.

As the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge prepare to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary this week, celebrity stylist Karen Williams has shared how Kate’s famous Alexander McQueen gown influenced thousands of people to mimic the long-sleeved lace and satin style, including some of the most famous brides of the last decade.

The £250,000 intricate look, which included a lace bodice hand-stitched by the world’s best seamstresses at the Royal School of Needlework, became an instant hit when it was debuted at Westminster Abbey on 29th April, 2011. 

In the decade since, Kate’s dress has inspired the likes of Kim Kardashian, who walked down the aisle in a custom Givenchy gown to wed Kanye West in Florence in 2014 – as well as socialite Nicky Hilton, who sported a £55,000 Valentino to marry James Rothschild in London the year after, and more recently actress Rose Leslie who married her Game of Thrones co-star Kit Harrington in 2018. 

Kate Middleton’s wedding dress inspired a decade worth of celebrity copycats and the wedding dress market was flooded with imitations of the famous gown, a fashion expert has revealed. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are picture in 2011 at their wedding in Westminster Abbey

Speaking to FEMAIL, Karen who has styled Beyoncé and David Beckham, said: ‘Even though it’s been ten years since her dress graced us with its beauty – the impact was so great that many celebrities up until this point and for the foreseeable future will always look back at Kate’s iconic look as reference to the ultimate wedding dress. 

‘I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Kim Kardashian, Jacqueline Jossa, Nicky Hilton and many more (including my own wedding dress) chose the lace long sleeve. 

‘No matter what tweaks and differences celebrity wedding dresses may have, the designs of them have been changed forever and that’s because there’s one stand-alone dress that has set the bar as high as it did.’ 

Kim Kardashian’s Givenchy bridal gown – which was made by Kanye’s friend creative director Riccardo Tisci and cost a reported $500,00 – had the same look as Her Royal Highness’ with long lace arms, a cinched bodice and floor length flowing skirt.

In the decade since the royal wedding, Kate's dress has inspired the likes of Kim Kardashian, who walked down the aisle in a custom Givenchy gown to wed Kanye West in Florence in 2014 (pictured)

In the decade since the royal wedding, Kate’s dress has inspired the likes of Kim Kardashian, who walked down the aisle in a custom Givenchy gown to wed Kanye West in Florence in 2014 (pictured)

Kim Kardashian's Givenchy bridal gown, which was made by Kanye's friend creative director Riccardo Tisci a cost a reported $500,00 had the same look as Her Royal Highness' with long lace arms, a cinched bodice and floor length flowing skirt.

Kim Kardashian’s Givenchy bridal gown, which was made by Kanye’s friend creative director Riccardo Tisci a cost a reported $500,00 had the same look as Her Royal Highness’ with long lace arms, a cinched bodice and floor length flowing skirt.

Meanwhile, socialite and heiress Nicky Hilton sported a similar number for her wedding to banking heir James Rothschild in 2015.

Just like the Duchess of Cambridge, the businesswoman’s dress had an hourglass silhouette, long lace arms, and a block white corseted feature.

More recently controversial conservative commentator Candace Owens tied the knot to George Farmer, son of British life peer Baron Michael Farmer in a Kate-inspired lace bodice dress and flowing skirt in 2019.

The activist sported a gown from French designer Monique Lhuillier, in a very similar silhouette and panelling to Kate’s, with the same intricate lace panelling. 

Socialite and heiress Nicky Hilton sported a similar number for her wedding to banking heir James Rothschild in 2015.

Socialite and heiress Nicky Hilton sported a similar number for her wedding to banking heir James Rothschild in 2015.

Just like the Duchess of Cambridge, the businesswoman's dress had an hourglass silhouette, long lace arms, and a block white corseted feature

Just like the Duchess of Cambridge, the businesswoman’s dress had an hourglass silhouette, long lace arms, and a block white corseted feature

‘Kate’s track record for looking amazing at every event she attended wearing accessible brands had already won our hearts so we knew her wedding dress would be no different,’ Karen added. 

‘I expected classic, beautiful, elegant, but I don’t think anyone expected her dress to quite as stunning as it was.

‘The whole world seemed to be whipped into a mesmerised state by the sheer elegance, beauty and detail of her, in this Alexander McQueen creation’.

‘The organza-covered buttons, Rouleau loops, the lace crafted out of hand-cut English and Chantilly and the back of the dress included a folded detailing made with ivory and white satin gazar fabric.

Other brides that have sported similar looks included Game of Thrones actress Rose Leslie, who wed her co-star Kit Harrington in 2018.

Just like the royal gown, Rose's dress had long lace sleeves and a full skirt, which was designed to echo an opening flower, with soft pleats which unfolded to the floor.

Other brides that have sported similar looks included Game of Thrones actress Rose Leslie, who wed her co-star Kit Harrington in 2018. Just like the royal gown, Rose’s dress had long lace sleeves and a full skirt, which was designed to echo an opening flower, with soft pleats which unfolded to the floor.

‘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.

‘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’.

Other brides that have sported similar looks included Game of Thrones actress Rose Leslie, who wed her co-star Kit Harrington in 2018. 

Just like the royal gown, Rose’s dress had long lace sleeves and a  full skirt, which was designed to echo an opening flower, with soft pleats which unfolded to the floor.

More recently controversial conservative commentator Candace Owens tied the knot to George Farmer, son of British life peer Michael Farmer in a Kate-inspired lace bodice in 2019.

The activist sported a gown from French designer Monique Lhuillier, in a very similar silhouette and panelling to Kate's.

More recently controversial conservative commentator Candace Owens tied the knot to George Farmer, son of British life peer Michael Farmer in a Kate-inspired lace bodice in 2019.  The activist sported a gown from French designer Monique Lhuillier, in a very similar silhouette and panelling to Kate’s.

EastEnders star Jacqueline Jossa, Kate Upton, Sophie Turner, Karlie Kloss, and Ashlee Simpson have also all opted for long-sleeved lace numbers in their recent nuptials, many with a clear nod to the royal. 

‘From the moment our new fashion icon walked down the aisle she gave every girl in the world, no matter what their wealth was, a chance that they could look and feel like a princess for a day,’ Karen went on.

‘When Kate burst on to the royal scene as William’s girlfriend and we started to take her seriously as his future wife, she brought with her something new and fresh, something exciting which made many girls sit up and take note. 

Other brides who appear to be inspired by Kate include EastEnders star Jacqueline Jossa, Kate Upton, Sophie Turner (picturd)  Karlie Kloss, and Ashley Simpson who all opted for long-sleeved lace numbers in their recent nuptials.

Other brides who appear to be inspired by Kate include EastEnders star Jacqueline Jossa, Kate Upton, Sophie Turner (picturd)  Karlie Kloss, and Ashley Simpson who all opted for long-sleeved lace numbers in their recent nuptials.

Karlie Kloss also wore a similar design during her wedding to Joshua Kushner in 2008

Karlie Kloss also wore a similar design during her wedding to Joshua Kushner in 2008

‘Her simple approach to fashion gave us the classic vibes one would expect, but with a brilliant modern and slightly fashion forward twist. 

‘She famously stepped out in a Self Portrait off-white maxi dress to a London Premier and sent not just the fashionistas into a frenzy but normal girls too as this wasn’t exactly a designer dress. The price point was affordable for many.

‘Overnight Self Portrait became an iconic brand and from that point on Kate was our go-to girl for what to wear.      

Meanwhile, celebrity stylist Rochelle White added to FEMAIL: ‘I feel that the day that Kate got married and the world’s eyes were on her, her dress would become an inspiration. 

Ashlee Simpson also sported a similar number to wed her husband Evan Ross - the son of Diana Ross - in 2018

Ashlee Simpson also sported a similar number to wed her husband Evan Ross – the son of Diana Ross – in 2018

‘I think it inspired many celebrities to get a piece of that royal signature style. The bodice inspired by Victorian tradition of corsetry, proved a narrow waist, which I think was a flattering and sort after look. 

‘Since then many celebrities have created or worn similar styles that have included elements similar to Kate, such as Kate Upton who wore a slim fitting style covered in pearls and beads with Kim Kardashian having beautiful lace over the arms and body of her dress. 

‘The style of dress flattering on most body shapes and with (in some cases) padding being added to the midsections that then goes into the train. 

‘I feel that style and inspiration will continue for years to come as Kate is a fashion icon in many ways. 

Sarah Burton, who designed the dress, said at the time there were ‘a lot of references to Victorian corsetry’.

‘The padded hip, the tiny cinched-in waist, and also to the arts and crafts movement with all of the hand-work on the lace of the dress and also the bustle inside to create the shape of the back of the dress.

‘It has an essence of Victorian but we cut the dress in a very modern way, it is in a very light fabric, also the pleats and the folds create a modern feel rather than a historical piece,’ she added.