The Royal Wedding: Who Will Kate Wear?

It's nearly upon us.  The much talked about and much celebrated union of Prince William and "commoner" Kate Middleton -- we'd all be lucky to be that common.  The world has been waiting with baited breath to see the bride's dress.  Buckingham Palace has been very tight-lipped about Kate's decision (well, that's assuming it's actually Kate's decision to make), however, there has been quite a bit of speculation and rumor.  Will it be McQueen?  Apparently, Alexander's successor, Sarah Burton, has denied the gossip, but I'm not so sure there isn't some truth the the whispers.  We'll find out soon enough. 

Gareth Pugh, Spring 2009

Photo: Marcio Madeira via Style.com

Meanwhile, I posted a little poll to see what my taffetadarlings thought (please vote on the sidebar).  McCartney?  A very good possibility, plus her dad's a knight.  Westwood?  Maybe.  After all, she came back in 2006 to win British Fashion Designer of the Year after receiving it fifteen years prior.  She's proven that she's a contender.  Or, will Kate go with Diana's guy, Bruce Oldfield?  These are all obvious choices, but Middleton might surprise us all by selecting a frock by some obscure designer (who will inevitably rise to fame immediately thereafter), or by donning something avant-garde by Gareth Pugh, Victor & Rolf or maybe even Pam Hogg.  Maybe not.  Most likely not!

Victor & Rolf, Spring 2011

Photo: Monica Feudi/GoRunway.com via Style.com

Additional note:  I cannot believe how many horrible knock offs of the Royal Ring I've seen.... this one takes the Royal Wedding Cake -- for only $19.99 it can be yours!

"The Official Royal Wedding Ring" As seen on TV! 

(a.k.a. "Cheap Piece of Garbage") 

Wouldn't you rather have these incredibly detailed and exquisitely crafted pieces by Wendy Brandes? 

Matilda Sword Earrings by Wendy Brandes

White and yellow 18K gold

Two rose-cut diamonds

Four sapphires

$10,000

Matilda Sword Necklace by Wendy Brandes

18K white gold sword pulls out of 18K yellow gold scabbard

Two rose-cut diamonds

Four blue sapphires

$7,600

London Calling!

Because I can’t be at London Fashion Week (so bummed!), I thought it might be fun to pay homage to a few of the early British designers who helped to establish London as a wildly creative fashion mecca!


Pam Hogg got her Masters of Art at the Royal College of Art in London. Later, she pushed her way into the London fashion and music scenes with her outrageous creations. Kylie Minogue and Siouxsie Sioux are loyal fans and have worn Pam’s cat suits on tour and in music videos. Hogg still has a very successful shop in London’s Soho.

Zandra Rhodes has designed for a range of famous clients including Princess Diana and Freddie Mercury. She studied printed textile design at the Royal College of Art in London. Her early textile fashion designs were considered extravagant by the traditional British manufacturers. In 2001, the San Diego Opera commissioned her to design the costumes for the opera, The Magic Flute. Rhodes is the founder of the Fashion and Textile Museum in London which was opened in May 2003.

Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren, the manager of the The Sex Pistols , lived together and had a son. In 1971, Malcolm decided to open a shop - Let It Rock (also known as Sex, Too Fast To Live Too Young To Die, Seditionaries) where Westwood began to sell her brazen designs. Today, Westwood still owns this shop, which is now known as World's End. Her son Joseph (with McLaren), is the founder of lingerie brand Agent Provocateur.  Dame Vivienne Westwood is currently married to her former fashion student, Austrian-born Andreas Kronthaler. You go girl!!!