Businesses anticipate royal wedding dress inspiration

Southwest Riverside County brides-to-be, collectors, and others will have their eyes fixed on what Kate Middleton will be wearing when she marries Prince William of Wales on April 29 in Westminster Abbey, London.

Karolin Di Cristina of Belle Mariée Bridal – a full-service bridal boutique which has locations in Murrieta and Riverside – said she will likely receive requests from clients inspired by Middleton’s wedding gown.

“It will depend on what the bride is looking for,” she said.

If Middleton wears a lavish ballroom gown with feathers and flowers, the brides interested in that type of gown will want that style for a wedding that may be held in a church, or at a winery or country club, said Christina.

“However, the brides that are getting married on a beach in a smaller ceremony – which is becoming more common – I doubt they will be swayed by anything that Kate wears other than on an accent level. In other words, they may want their simple flowing gown to have a floral/feathered accent at the bust or shoulder.”

If Middleton goes for a fashion forward look that is not available yet, it may take a while for those types of gowns to hit the mass market, said Christina.

“For now, it will be difficult for bridal stores to really meet that need other than offering what they have that is closest to it,” she said. “Bridal designers produce in the spring and the fall. The fall 2011 market just happened and the spring 2012 market is in October. I guarantee you that bridal designers will all have their spin on Kate’s dress. So, I would expect those recreated dresses to hit the mass market towards the end of this year.”

TheKnot.com – an online wedding resource site – anticipates the upcoming influence of the royal wedding in its annual wedding trend forecast.

“With a royal wedding around the corner, you can bet Kate Middleton’s going to alter what princess style is all about,” according the website. “Put away the ball-gown skirt because the new princess silhouette will be body-skimming, but with a bold train. Add statement-making headwear like tasteful tiaras (seriously!) and cathedral-length veils. And, you can count on sophisticated sequins and beading showing up on everything from the wedding dress to the floral arrangements and the wedding cake.”

A Pennsylvania-based business has hopped on the royal wedding fashion craze train with its collectable dolls.

The Franklin Mint – founded in 1964 and known worldwide for its gifts, heirlooms, and collectibles – has created a Middleton doll called “Portrait of a Princess” featuring jewelry and a reproduction of the blue silk jersey dress that was worn during the engagement announcement.

“The royal wedding has generated a level of international excitement that we haven’t really felt since (Princess) Diana’s nuptials,” Gwynne Gorr, chief marketing officer of The Franklin Mint, said in a recent news release. “With our limited edition Kate Middleton doll, we are letting people take home a piece of the fairy tale.”

A portion of their doll sale proceeds will go to charity, according to the news release.

The Franklin Mint will be releasing in June a “Kate Middleton Bridal Doll” featuring an exact replica of the dress that will be worn at the wedding.

One of England’s most famous royal highnesses was a major influence on America’s wedding gown fashion.

In the late 19th century, wedding dresses were traditionally white or off-white formal gowns worn by brides in the United States.

The white gown was said to represent the virginal status of the bride, and dates back to 1840 when Alexandrina Victoria dressed in a white wedding gown during her marriage to Prince Albert.

Victoria became queen of England, setting the court’s fashion standard and white wedding dresses soon became popular in the U.S.

Christina expects brides who want Middleton’s dress now will look to custom wedding gown designers to fulfill their wishes.

The mass market production and availability will follow, she said.

“Keep in mind that it takes a while for people to get comfortable with a fashion-forward look,” added Christina, whose website is at http://www.bellemarieebridal.com. “Most people like designs that look trendy – but are in fact well-established looks/styles. Let’s face it, not everyone can do what someone like Kate will be able to do with her wedding gown. The options are really endless for her – short of wearing a mini (dress) in red – and it will establish new trends.”

Middleton is well-known for her fashion-forward looks, and definitely has her own style, said Christina, who expects the future princess to go for what she wants.

“I am really excited to see what they design for her,” she said. “It will be fun to watch.”

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