Project Runway Sketches the Royal Wedding Gown

Fit for a queen.

Lifetime, you wanna get this one while we pour our coffee?

"An unprecedented number of Project Runway designers, representing all eight seasons of the show, have gathered together in support of the upcoming Lifetime Original Movie, William & Kate. Their challenge? Create a fantasy look befitting a bride — but not just any bride: England's princess-to-be, Kate Middleton."

Let's check out some of them, shall we?

Ramon-Lawrence

I envision the future Princess of Wales in something very modern and contemporary and modest, befitting her age and upbringing. Definitely complimentary to her frame.

The design is a silk charmeuse strapless gown, with the bodice covered in chantilly lace and adorned with pearl and diamond detailing. The embellishment is also mirror at the hem and train. There is a subtle lace cap sleeve attached to the bodice for a hint of reservation. The royal length chantilly lace veil is also adorned with various sizes of pearl and diamonds. There is a silk charmeuse sash to compliment to fitting construction of the bodice. Simple, modern, timeless.

Nick Verreos

Ivory Silk Mikado Column Gown with high Bateau (boat) neckline, drop-shoulder and plunging back detail and a fit-to-flare silhouette to accentuate her fabulous figure. It features thousands of hand-sewn Swarovski crystals on the neckline, waist and back hem area of gown to highlight her royal status and "dazzle" as she makes her long walk down the aisle. The gown has a detachable exaggerated cascading train, also in ivory Silk Mikado--this will give a dramatic effect while she stands at the Altar as all the royal guests look on. Veil and Crown: The gown is completed by an Antique Chantilly Lace and silk tulle veil and of course, she will wear the "Spencer Crown" which Princess Diana wore to her wedding.

Mychael Knight

Young, fresh, and regal. That's the best way to describe the chic and ever so sophisticated Kate Middleton. The dress I designed embodies those same very attributes. The mermaid silhouette plays up the future royal's fantastic figure. The dress is sexy, but the tulle detail and peplum give the dress a playful feel. Because Kate Middleton is a woman of the 21st century, I added a belt to give this refined gown, a modern edge.

Jonathan Kayne

This diamond white gown has a decadent portrait collar in silk taffeta. The bodice and length of the gown is constructed in a three-dimensional French chantilly lace that is accented with real gold and silver embroidery. The lace is also delicately beaded with Swarovski crystals and real pearls. This silhouette will accentuate all of Kate's best features. The hemline of the gown has a very ornate scalloped edge and continues around the small sweep train. The lovely hostess skirt in silk taffeta is box pleated and detachable for the evening’s festivities. A gown truly fit for a princess.

Ben Chmura

Kate Middleton has proven to be a new style icon in the eyes of the world since her recent engagement to Prince William. She has brought a contemporary sense to modest Royal British attire. Her wedding gown should reflect the same point of view. I kept thinking of crystal shards and created a mild iridescent appliquéd pattern that cascades on a silk chiffon sheath that would lay over the actual gown. Creating a futuristic, yet regal sensibility to the dress. Mixing in contemporary elements such as an asymmetrical neckline, paneled geometric bodice and cut out back helps continue this idea of faceted crystals. Lastly, to pay respect to tradition and modesty, I included a sheer capelet sewn into the neckline of the dress that wraps around to the back where it is gathered and connected to the dress with an elongated train. By doing this it eliminates the need for a veil and covers her shoulders and the cut-out back to a modest, yet contemporary degree.

Carmen Webber

The fabric of the gown would be in an antique ivory hue in silk satin with pleated silk chiffon at the bodice and at the bottom of the dress before it fish tails into the 7 foot train. The final touch a very narrow silk satin bias trim at the hem of the gown.

The sheer lace cropped shrug would be hand embroidery of a cream colored pearlized metallic thread with a scalloped neck line. The sleeves would only be partially embroidered in various places, with scallop edges and just one arm with large pearl beads and a tassel made of silk and metallic gold embroidery threads much like the fancy curtain ties but much more elegant and fine.

The flowers at the left shoulder would be a combination of silk, velvet & chiffon petals laced with accents of real pearl beads and crystal stones. The ideal craftsmanship of the flowers would be that of the finest faux flower masters so that they appear real almost as though you had just cut them from the earth and placed them on the gown. The pearls and crystal should represent a fresh water mist on the flower petals.

The hat would also be made of the same silk satin in antique ivory with matching petals same as the materials on the bouquet bodice of the gown and curved feathers spouting out of the crown. The veil would also be attached to the hat. It would be a very simple tightly woven silk tulle that draped over the entire body all the way down to the floor past the trail of the gown.

I wanted to evoke a Spring Garden Goddess with this look. I feel that Kate completely embodies that.

Mondo Guerra

I really wanted to design something that would be over the top. A larger than life ballgown (having undertones of lavender and periwinkle) with flowers trickling down the bodice into the gown, accented with a black velvet sash, topped off with a crown and diamond accented veil.


Favorites, kittens? Eyesores? So-so's? Which designers nailed it and which one missed the mark completely. Of this batch, we really like Nick's and (surprisingly) Carmen's. Make sure to check out the whole gallery here.

[Image Credit: Courtesy of myLifetime.com]


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Labels: Fashion, Kate Middleton, Project Runway