Randy Fenoli Predicts Kate Middleton's Wedding Dress Style

BY RENNIE DYBALL

Friday April 22, 2011 02:20 PM EDT

For many brides, a visit to Kleinfeld Bridal, the setting for TLC's hit show Say Yes to the Dress, is a highlight of the wedding prep process. 

Since Kate Middleton has been a bit too busy to stop in for a consultation (imagine that), PEOPLE consulted Kleinfeld fashion director and Say Yesstar Randy Fenoli for his thoughts on what the most famous bride-to-be on the planet might wear on her big day.

While onlookers wait to see the future princess's dress, Fenoli predicts that her dress will be elegant, may feature volume – to fill the Westminster Abbey aisle, of course – and that Kate may cover her arms in keeping with more conservative royal style. 

Check out Randy's musings, plus a bunch of gorgeous gowns! 

From: http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20395222_20483173,00.html

Fashion world's surprise at latest name linked to Kate Middleton's Dress

Fashion experts today expressed surprise at the dress designer who is the latest to be linked with the responsibility of making Kate Middleton's royal wedding gown.

They said Sophie Cranston, a 34-year-old Londoner, may not be enough of a big name - but would be likely to create a dress that would be "understated but very beautiful" and fit perfectly with Miss Middleton's personality.

They also praised the possibility of Miss Middleton choosing a younger, lesser-known designer and championing her career, having worn her designs in the past.

Farmer's daughter Ms Cranston, who has been mentioned in reports in the US, founded the Libelula studio nine years ago and has a shop in Chelsea and a studio in Spain. Miss Middleton wore a black velvet dress coat by Libelula at a friend's wedding in January.

Peta Hunt, fashion director of You And Your Wedding magazine, has just returned from New York, where she said speculation about the royal wedding on April 29 and the choice of dress were reaching fever pitch.

She said the choice of Ms Cranston was at odds with Miss Middleton's mother reportedly commissioning couturier Lindka Cierach - and rejecting her design - and having also been seen with Bruce Oldfield.

She told the Standard: "I don't understand why they would go to Bruce Oldfield or Cierach and Kate would go to a much lower-key one."

Astrid Joss, shopping editor at Brides magazine, said Ms Cranston "is not as big as the other people who have been named".

"Her wedding dresses have a 1920s, 1940s, feel. They're not big - they're very slender and slim. They're understated but very beautiful."

from: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/royal-wedding/article-23942476-fashion-worlds-surprise-at-latest-name-linked-to-dress.do

Kate Middleton Might Have Designed Her Own Wedding Dress For The Royal Wedding!

Another day, another designer name is thrown into the mix — but this time the gal behind the gown is being identified as Kate herself! Do you think the bride-to-be designed her own dress?

The Royal Wedding is getting closer, and every day another outlet has a new report on which designer has been chosen to craft Kate Middleton‘s wedding dress — but the latest news is naming Kate as the designer! According to the Daily Mail, the 29-year-old started creating the dress herself before she went to a dressmaker. 

According to the outlet, the dress is ivory satin and lace with pearl button detailing and a 10ft train. “According to one impeccably-placed source, Kate has taken inspiration from her History of Art degree – particularly the Renaissance period, as she studied in Florence during her gap year.

She has also included what is described as a ‘nod’ to the iconic Emanuel wedding dress worn by Lady Diana Spencer, but has avoided including any of its ‘flounce’,” the Daily Mail reported.

It is rumored that Kate plans to accessorize with diamond and pearl earrings — although it’s unknown if they are new or family heirlooms. The bride-to-be will also borrow jewels from the Queen for her big day — including a dazzling tiara!

Over the weekend, the latest designer name to enter the wedding dress running was Sophie Cranston, designer behind the label Libelula. The designer was awarded as Designer of the Year at London’s Graduate Fashion Week in ’99 and has worked at both Alexander McQueen and Alice Temperley, (two brands the bride-to-be is a huge fan of), before staring her own label in ’02. Back in January, Kate wore one of Cranston’s vintage-inspired coats to a wedding.

A close friend told the Mail, “All we have been told is that the dressmaker is fairly unknown and from a relatively small design house. But make no mistake, whoever’s name emerges on the day, this is very much Catherine’s dress.”

If you’re so over all the speculation and the lack of details, you aren’t alone — even Prince William has been kept in the dark about the special dress! Although the Prince and the bride-to-be have agreed to auction off the dress after the big day, with proceeds going to a variety of charities, including the Prince’s Trust.

And for those of you that might have lost track of the rumored designer names in the running, the list includes: Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, Jasper Conran, Alice Temperley, Bruce Oldfield — and now, Sarah Cranston. Reports also claim Victoria Beckham has been enlisted to craft a frock for the evening reception.

from: http://www.hollywoodlife.com/2011/04/18/kate-middleton-wedding-dress-designing-royal-wedding-designer-sarah-cranston-libelula/

Kate Middleton's Wedding Dress Rumours Mount

Reports claim unknown fashion label Libelula have designed the gown...

16:05, Monday, 18 April 2011

Kate Middleton's wedding dress has allegedly been created by little-known British fashion label, Libelula.

As speculation over who has designed Middleton's frock for next week's Royal Wedding continues to grow, US publication The Huffington Post has reported that Libelula is apparently behind the secret gown.

Libelula's Sophie Cranston was reportedly chosen by Kate to design the dress, which she will wear to wed future king, Prince William, on 29th April.

It has been rumoured that Kate's dress was going to be designed by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, with the likes of Daniella Issa Helayel, Bruce Oldfield, Jasper Conran and Alice Temperley also being linked to create Middleton's gown.

Kate has previously donned a fitted, black velvet Libelula coat to a pal's wedding in January, fuelling reports that she could also wear the English label to wed Wills.

There is currently no comment on whether Middleton will wear a Libelula frock, with reports suggesting that the 29-year old is "determined" to keep her dress a secret until the big day.

From: http://www.mtv.co.uk/artists/kate-middleton/news/267149-kate-middleton-royal-wedding-prince-william-dress

Royal wedding: Kate Middleton wedding dress designer speculation mounts with Libelula reports circulating

Speculation over the designer of Kate Middleton's wedding dress is mounting today with a little-known British label reported to be behind the top-secret gown.

Sophie Cranston, of Libelula, is said to have been chosen by Miss Middleton for the all-important creation, according to The Huffington Post in the US.

It follows recent claims that Sarah Burton, of Alexander McQueen, is the designer, with Daniella Issa Helayel, Bruce Oldfield, Jasper Conran and Alice Temperley also reported to be in the running.

Miss Middleton wore a tailored black velvet Libelula coat to a friend's wedding in January.

Cranston, who won the prestigious Designer of the Year Award at Graduate Fashion Week in 1999, started on Saville Row and at Bellville Sassoon.

She worked for McQueen before setting set up Temperley in 2000 with Alice Temperley.

She started Libelula - which means "dragonfly" in Spanish - after moving to Andalucia in southern Spain to learn flamenco and Spanish.

Cranston returned to the UK and set up her headquarters and now has a studio in Greenwich, south east London.

According to its website, the label prides itself on creating "beautifully cut, timeless and flattering shapes".

It also offers bespoke wedding dresses, creating "vintage- inspired couture gowns".

There has been no comment yet from Libelula itself and St James's Palace has steadfastly refused to be drawn on any matters concerning the wedding dress.

Bride-to-be Miss Middleton is said to be determined to keep the details a secret.

Read more From: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/04/18/royal-wedding-kate-middleton-wedding-dress-designer-speculation-mounts-with-libelula-reports-circulating-115875-23070028/#ixzz1JtHqHM88 

Kate Middleton's Wedding Dress Designer Revealed?

Sophie Cranston of the Libélula label has landed the prized job, according to Yvonne Yorke of The Huffington Post.

I've been the first to report many exclusive details on the royal wedding, but the biggest scoop is undoubtedly the identity of Kate Middleton's wedding dress designer.

Sophie Cranston of the Libélula label is said to have won the coveted commission to make Catherine's wedding dress. You might recall that the royal bride-to-be stepped out to a friend's wedding in Yorkshire this January in a much-talked-about, vintage-inspired, Libélula black velvet dress coat with a diamante clasp -- the Dulwich coat, named after the area in South London where Cranston has her studio:



Through my insider sources, I've heard who was designing Catherine's wedding dress four months ago but kept it a secret in accordance with palace wishes, only divulging in my Huffington Post story last December that the designer is a young, relatively unknown British woman. At the time, everyone else was certain that Bruce Oldfield was the chosen designer. The relentless media speculation then moved on to a host of other names such as Alice Temperley, and even Victoria Beckham, before settling on front-runner Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen.

A St. James's Palace spokesperson I talked to won't confirm or deny that Cranston had been selected, only saying, "We are not being drawn on any speculation on the wedding and cannot comment."

But something this big won't stay a secret indefinitely. Catherine's wedding dress is near-completion and with less than two weeks to go, there's indication that the designer's identity might soon be revealed, anyway. It's also likely that there is more than one dress made (by the same designer), much like Princess Diana's dressmakers, David and Elizabeth Emanuel, who had a "back-up" dress in case something happened to the first one.

***For more royal wedding news, visit our Royal Wedding page.***

From what I've uncovered, the reason the palace did not announce the designer's name (as they did with the Emanuels who were confirmed just one month after Diana's engagement) was to protect Cranston and her family from media scrutiny for as long as possible, and to allow her the freedom to create the wedding gown of Catherine's dreams without additional pressures and distractions. It's stressful enough to make an unforgettable gown that will be seen by billions around the world and which will be immortalized in royal and fashion history.

34-year-old Cranston is young but certainly not short on talent. As I've said before, this will be another Jason Wu-moment -- when a talented, previously little-known designer is launched and becomes a globally-recognized name.

Cranston won the Designer of the Year Award at London's Graduate Fashion Week in 1999 and then went on to hone her design skills under the tutelage of Alexander McQueen before going into business with Alice Temperley to create the Temperley label in 2000. A couple of years later, Cranston left for Andalusia, Spain to pursue her interest in flamenco and her time at Costa La Luz inspired her to create her own label Libélula, which means dragonfly in Spanish. The line is known for its feminine, figure-flattering silhouettes, luxurious fabrics, and vibrant use of colors and prints. There is also a small ready-to-wear and bespoke bridal collection, according to her website.

Since establishing Libélula in 2002, Cranston has gradually acquired a loyal and discerning clientele which includes Catherine and the Middleton ladies, as well as Emma Watson, Jerry Hall and writer Celia Warden who married fellow journalist Piers Morgan last year in a Libélula gown.

Coincidentally, the Libélula española is one of the first helicopters invented -- perhaps a subliminal nod to Prince William's job as a search-and-rescue helicopter pilot? Oh, the little clues!

That's all, for now, readers -- don't expect me to reveal the exact design of the dress. After all, Catherine should have her big moment when she arrives at Westminster Abbey and surprises William and everyone else with her spectacular gown fit for a future queen.

Although St. James's Palace refuses to comment on the reports, the Daily Mail also confirms the Cranston news, saying that the gown was actually designed by Kate Middleton, who then enlisted the designer to help with the construction.

Made of ivory satin and lace with pearl-button detail and a 10-foot train, the garment was apparently inspired by the bride's days as an art history student, states the U.K. newspaper, and includes a "nod" to the Emanuel dress worn by Prince William's late mother Princess Diana.

from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/yvonne-yorke/sophie-cranston-kate-middleton-wedding-dress-designer_b_850090.html & http://royalwedding.aol.com/2011/04/17/kate-middletons-wedding-dress-designer-revealed/