Kate Middleton’s wedding gown: Not just another dress

Kate Middleton’s wedding gown: Not just another dress - It will be the most important dress that Kate Middleton will ever wear.

No other garment will be the object of such scrutiny, debate or have museum-worthy status as the wedding dress she dons on April 29 when she walks down the aisle of Westminster Abbey to marry Prince William.

It’s not just another wedding dress. It stands for so much more. It will declare to a watching world what kind of Royal she will be. Will she opt for something simple and demure in deference to the current economic climate in Britain? Or take a stand and declare her independence and make a truly modern choice?

And of course, it will ignite a flurry of trends in the billion-dollar bridal industry.

If you think those are weighty issues and foreboding expectations sitting on her delicate shoulders, imagine the stress and anxiety the designer of the dress must be experiencing!

While there is zero chance she will enlist the services of a designer from one of the colonies, we thought it would be interesting to see what Canadian designers would envision for this English beauty on the big day.

Bridal designer Christopher Paunil says Kate MIddleton is "beautiful, young and modern, and her dress should reflect that – sophisticated, elegant and not fussy."

Veronica and Ines Di Santo, designers of Ines Di Santo: “Because only members of the Royal Family can marry at Westminster Abbey, I would expect that a strapless gown or anything too revealing would be in bad taste. “We don’t see Kate in anything too overwhelmingly big — we imagined a soft fabric, silk satin organza that has a nice bounce to it and a large silk flower at the left shoulder to draw attention to her beautiful face. The lace insert at the centre bust line is to create a more demure look so that she doesn’t reveal any cleavage. “The back of the gown features a chapel-length train with extended ruffles and lace accents.”

Christopher Paunil, bridal designer: “I think with Kate, less is more. She is beautiful, young and modern and her dress should reflect that — sophisticated, elegant and not fussy. The only jewellery I can envision her wearing is a bold yet delicate neck piece, because she has a beautiful long neck and it will frame her face.

Wayne Clark, evening-wear designer: “I see her in a fitted top that looks like it’s glued to her body – I don’t see her baring any skin — and then it explodes into silk taffeta with massive crinoline skirt. At a normal wedding everybody has an opinion about the dress; can you imagine at this wedding? The dress should be very whimsical and fairy tale – big and full – they are a dream couple.”

Rita Vinieris, creative director of Rivini: “The wedding gown will be more than just wedding dress and it will define a moment in time and history and will live forever. It will be a statement and a direction that many other brides-to-be will be inspired by and follow. With Kate’s modern sense of style, I envision her in something classic with modern touches, a combination lace and organza with an ethereal tone.” ( thestar.com )