Kate commissioned a soft floaty gown in ivory silk satin and silk georgette with touches of Nottingham lace
The dress was made with a simple bias-cut skirt in satin with the georgette as an overlay. Above the high waistline the bodice had a sweet heart neckline and gathered georgette straps which widened as the went over the shoulder to become the ‘wings’ at the back. The bodice was actually lightly boned but this was completely hidden by a soft draped cowl. The lace was used on the bodice peeping out above the cowl on the sweetheart neckline.
At the back the high waistline sloped very steeply down to the small of the back and the lace panel above was kept slim to create a low, open back line. Half inch wide straps held the dress in place while ‘wings’ of georgette cascaded from the shoulders to beyond the puddle train of the main dress. The edges of each wing were trimmed with the scalloped edge of the same Nottingham lace. The dress fastened at centre back with a concealed zip. ?A hook up button was provided for the train in the evening and a ribbon which tied the ‘wings’ back gracefully as well so Kate could dance without a care!
Original design sketch
These pictures show the detail of the front bodice with lace, cowl, sweetheart neckline and gathered straps. The lace on the back panels was ‘faded’ into the front cowl by using the scalloped edge over the seam.
