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."
