Kate Middleton's dress, revealed—and everyone loves it! (video)

Kate Middleton's dress! Photo: Getty Images
Kate Middleton's dress! Photo: Getty Images

They're calling it timeless, elegant, stunning, and a "triumph." After months of anticipation and a near frenzy in the fashion world to uncover the secret, Kate Middleton's wedding designer-and dress!-have finally been revealed. In a dramatic debut, the 29-year-old princess exited a Rolls Royce outside of Westminster Abbey this morning wearing a sleek, feminine, retro-inspired silk gazar and Chantilly lace gown designed by Alexander McQueen creative director Sarah Burton. The gorgeous dress, which perfectly hugged Middleton's frame and became an iconic garment the moment it appeared, features a deep V-neck, long sleeves, a full skirt, and a train measuring more than two meters long. It is adorned throughout with delicate, hand-sewn lace.

Initial reactions to Middleton's dress have been almost uniformly positive (unlike the mixed reviews for many other major gowns of the last decade-Michelle Obama's inaugural look comes to mind). Vogue editor Hamish Bowles called it "magnificent," and said it "entirely lived up to and exceeds anyone's expectations." The Guardian UK called the dress "a triumph" and a "fistpump moment for British fashion." Many of the world's most famous designers-including Karl Lagerfeld Christian Lacroix-have weighed in with high praise, comparing the design to the classic dress Grace Kelly wore when she wed Prince Ranier, a beloved garment that has been replicated for decades. Donatella Versace called the Kate's look "beautiful" and "regal."

The glowing report card by fashion critics is no surprise: In the weeks following news of the royal couple's engagement last fall, many insiders-including British Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman and Marie Claire editor and Project Runway judge Nina Garcia-campaigned tirelessly for Middleton to choose the Sarah Burton and the McQueen label, even taking their pleas to Twitter.

Burton, who also designed maid-of-honor Pippa Middleton's dress, is known for an edgy-yet-glamorous aesthetic and for softening McQueen's signature avant garde look in the past few seasons. She was an assistant and close friend to McQueen for 14 years-and took over his label after the designer committed suicide in 2010 at the age of 40. Though no one knows for sure, reports speculate that Middleton chose Burton after seeing the $17,000 silk strapless wedding gown she designed for friend and fashion writer Sara Buys.

Before dressing the new princess, Burton churned out original designs for Gwyneth Paltrow, Michelle Obama, Lady Gaga, Cate Blanchett , Mila Kunis, and Naomi Campbell.





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