56 The Australian Women’s Weekly | JUNE 2018
cessnk
ons
by the government, and royal courtier
Norman Hartnell was commissioned
to produce a dress fit for a future
Queen. It reportedly took 350
seamstresses seven weeks to sew
the ivory gown of duchess silk.
The regal dress was embellished
with silver thread, sparkling crystals,
10,000 white seed pearls and
transparent, appliqué tulle. The
white and silver ornamentation
contrasted with the creamy ivory
of the silk to create a stunning
pattern of stars and floral garlands,
inspired by Botticelli’s Primavera.
The wedding outfit had a four-metre
full court train that attached at the
shoulders and was decorated with
a floral design of jasmine and
rose-style blossoms, completed
with a silk tulle veil and duchess
satin high-heeled sandals.GETTY IMAGES.The Duchess
of York, 1986
Society designer Lindka Cierach
worked secretly with a team of
seamstresses for weeks to create the
voluminous, rich ivory silk gown that
Sarah Ferguson wore to marry
Prince Andrew. Sarah collaborated
closely with Lindka to design a
spectacular dress which showcased
her love for the Prince, with personal
details such as a large beaded “A”
for Andrew on the train. The beaded
bodice and padded sleeves reflected
the grandiose style of the time. A
large bow adorned the back, which
opened out into a five-metre train.
Hearts and waves adorned the
bodice, while thistles, bumblebees and
an anchor were embroidered into the
train. Sarah also wore a coronet of
gardenias, which was later removed
to reveal a tiara of leaves rendered in
diamond-studded platinum, given
to her by Queen Elizabeth II.Princess Elizabeth,
1947
Like all other post-war brides, Princ
Elizabeth had to collect clothing
coupons to payfor thegown she
wouldwear to wedLieutenant
Philip Mountbatten. Due to her ran
she was granted additional coupoA ROYAL special
Princess Elizabeth
wore two pearl
necklaces on her
wedding day, left
to the Crown by
Queen Victoria.