The Duchess of Cambridge, 2011

The house of Britain’s enfant terrible couturier, the late Alexander McQueen, used the finest English craftsmanship to create a gown that was the perfect union of tradition and modernity. With its sculptural silhouette and modest sleeves of delicate British lace, Kate Middleton’s ivory and white satin gazar wedding dress was a triumph of bridal style. Designed by Sarah Burton, the dress was padded at the hips in the signature style of the late, great British designer, accentuating Kate’s slender waistline, which was cinched by a Victorianstyle corset. The Royal School of Needlework seamstresses fashioned a dainty motif of fine roses, thistles, daffodils and shamrocks for the pristine lace bodice. A sleek bustle cascaded into a flowing skirt, which was inspired by an opening flower, and a train embellished with more hand-stitched lace. Kate wore a silk tulle veil and the elegant Cartier Halo tiara, which she paired with diamond earrings that featured diamondstudded acorns, a reference to her family coat of arms.