Style Speculation: Charlene Wittstock's Bridal Gown

With one week to go, it's time for another round of everyone's favorite game: The Royal Bridal Guessing Game!

What will Charlene Wittstock wear for her big day? Here's what we know: she'll have 2 dresses, one for her civil wedding and one for her religious wedding. Since the religious one is the thing that we (well, I) really care about, let's skip right to that.

Armani has been confirmed as the designer, and this is no surprise: he's been taking care of Charlene for a long time. Queen Rania is a big fan, and if the Belgians aren't trouncing about in Natan, they're probably in Armani. I was surprised, given his level of royal popularity, to find only two royal wedding dresses to his name. (Unless someone's got one I'm missing?)

Left to Right: Archduchess Catharina von Österreich, Princess Tatjana of Leichtenstein

Well, he's no Valentino, that's for sure. If this is any indication, simple will be the name of the game.

If we branch out from the royal circle into some of the celebrity gowns Armani has whipped up, though, we find that that's not necessarily the rule:

L to R: Danielle Spencer, Katie Holmes, Megan Fox, Mira Sorvino

So, not really a cohesive look.

Here are some of the more notable Armani confections that Charlene has sported, for further reference:

Now, let's play our game.

What will Charlene's wedding gown will look like?

My guess: very simple, not much in the way of lace and/or other baubles. With a slim skirt, as I just can't picture her in a full one. And an epic train/veil length - they're making a big to-do of this wedding, you know. Can't be too simple.

Your turn!

Style Speculation: Charlene Wittstock's Bridal Gown

With one week to go, it's time for another round of everyone's favorite game: The Royal Bridal Guessing Game!

What will Charlene Wittstock wear for her big day? Here's what we know: she'll have 2 dresses, one for her civil wedding and one for her religious wedding. Since the religious one is the thing that we (well, I) really care about, let's skip right to that.

Armani has been confirmed as the designer, and this is no surprise: he's been taking care of Charlene for a long time. Queen Rania is a big fan, and if the Belgians aren't trouncing about in Natan, they're probably in Armani. I was surprised, given his level of royal popularity, to find only two royal wedding dresses to his name. (Unless someone's got one I'm missing?)

Left to Right: Archduchess Catharina von Österreich, Princess Tatjana of Leichtenstein

Well, he's no Valentino, that's for sure. If this is any indication, simple will be the name of the game.

If we branch out from the royal circle into some of the celebrity gowns Armani has whipped up, though, we find that that's not necessarily the rule:

L to R: Danielle Spencer, Katie Holmes, Megan Fox, Mira Sorvino

So, not really a cohesive look.

Here are some of the more notable Armani confections that Charlene has sported, for further reference:

Now, let's play our game.

What will Charlene's wedding gown will look like?

My guess: very simple, not much in the way of lace and/or other baubles. With a slim skirt, as I just can't picture her in a full one. And an epic train/veil length - they're making a big to-do of this wedding, you know. Can't be too simple.

Your turn!

The Royal Wedding Guests: An Illustrated Guide (and Fashion News!)

Some fifty members of the British royal family will be in attendance for  William and Kate's nuptials. FIFTY. It occured to me that I'd probably have some trouble just naming fifty members of the Windsor clan, let alone recognizing them on sight. So I put a little guide together for my use, and thought I'd share. These are the Windsors with golden tickets to the Abbey, from the most recognizable down to the ones that we hardly ever see, and it's pretty much the entire family (except those too young to behave themselves reliably). Feel free to print and use as a fashion scorecard...that's my grand plan.

 

The most obvious. William's immediate family: grandparents, father, stepmother, brother (and best man).

William's uncles, aunt, and assorted spouses.

William's cousins and spouses/spouses-to-be. Not pictured: William's cousin Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor (age 7), who will be in the bridal party.

The children and grandchildren of the late Princess Margaret, the Queen's sister. The pictures of the kids are woefully out of date; there are only sketchy photos here and here from last summer that are any closer to current age. Not pictured: The Hon. Margarita Armstrong-Jones (age 8), who will be in the bridal party.

The Duke of Gloucester is the Queen's cousin, a grandson of King George V. He, his wife, and their three children (with accompanying spouses) will be in the Abbey.

 

The Duke of Kent is another cousin of the Queen and grandson of George V. He and his wife will be in the Abbey along with their three children and their three oldest grandchildren.

Prince Michael of Kent is the Duke of Kent's brother. He, his wife, and their two children will be there, along with Frederick's wife.

And the last of the Kents: Princess Alexandra is the sister of Prince Michael and the Duke of Kent. She will be in attendance on Friday with her two children and her daughter-in-law. And on the end we have not a Kent, but The Lady Saltoun. She's related through marriage way back to Queen Victoria, is primarily know as Chief of the Name and the Arms of Fraser, and is considered a member of the extended royal family by the Queen.

Foreign Royals

In addition to the Windsors, plenty of foreign royals will be there. Keep an eye out for these folks:

• The Prince and Princess of the Asturias
• The Sultan of Brunei and Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha
• King Simeon II and Queen Margarita of Bulgaria
• The Queen of Denmark
• King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie of the Hellenes
• Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece and Prince Constantine of Greece
• Sheikh Ahmad Hmoud Al-Sabah of Kuwait
• Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso and Princess Mabereng Seeiso of Lesotho
• The Grand Duke and Duchess of Luxembourg
• The Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong of Malaysia
• Prince Albert II of Monaco and Miss Charlene Wittstock
• Princess Lalla Salma of Morocco
• The Crown Prince and Princess of The Netherlands
• The King and Queen of Norway
• Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said of Oman
• The Emir of The State of Qatar and Sheika Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned
• King Michael I of Romania and Crown Princess Margarita
• Prince Mohamed bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia and Princess Fadwa bint Khalid bin Abdullah bin Abdulrahman
• The Queen of Spain
• The King of Swaziland
• The Crown Princess of Sweden and The Duke of Vastergotland
• Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand
• The King of Tonga
• The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi
• Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine of Yugoslavia
• The Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia

Guest Fashion News

I've been trying to keep up with news on what the guests will be wearing, though it's certainly not as plentiful as "news" on what the bride will wear. Here's what I've got so far (and I'll keep updating!):

• The Countess of Wessex will be in Bruce Oldfield.
• The Duchess of Cornwall will wear something from her own wedding gown designer, Anna Valentine.
• Chelsy Davy will wear Alberta Ferretti.
• The Queen will probably be in something designed by her personal dresser, Angela Kelly.
• We should see Philip Treacy hats on the Yorks, Sophie, Camilla, Zara, and many, many more. Fabienne Delvigne hats are a likely possibility for Princess Maxima and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, if not Crown Princess Victoria and Princess Mathilde as well.
• Carole Middleton was said to have had a falling out with Sarah Ferguson's wedding dress designer, Lindka Cierach, resulting in the cancellation of a commission. Who knows if that's true or not.
• I'd put my money on Charlene Wittstock in Armani. Nope, looks like Charlene will go with Akris. Color me shocked!
• I'd also put my money on Sheikha Mozah in something worth more than my car.
• Victoria Beckham will wear her own design, topped by a Treacy hat and custom Louboutins, with David Beckham in Ralph Lauren.
• Samantha Cameron will opt for Burberry's Christopher Kane, as will Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman.
• Anya Hindmarch will wear Emilia Wickstead.
• Sara Parker-Bowles will be dressed by Osman.
• Lady Helen Taylor will be in Erdem.
• Viscountess Linley is wearing Roland Mouret with Manolo Blahnik heels, an Anya Hindmarch clutch, and a Stephen Jones hat.
• Holly Branson will wear Irwin & Jordan.
• Lady Frederick Windsor and Princess Mathilde will wear Armani. The Daily Mail (I know, not so much on the reliability) also claims Armani will dress Princess Nikolaos, who isn't on the released guest list.
• Princess Letizia will be wearing Felipe Varela, per usual (thanks to @elpalais on Twitter for that one!).
• Bridesmaid's dresses are now reported to be Nicki Macfarlane.
• Princess Eugenie will wear Vivienne Westwood.
• Lady Sarah Chatto will stick with her own wedding gown designer, Jasper Conran.

Have you seen any others confirmed? Any guest fashion guesses?

Source

The Royal Wedding Guests: An Illustrated Guide (and Fashion News!)

Some fifty members of the British royal family will be in attendance for  William and Kate's nuptials. FIFTY. It occured to me that I'd probably have some trouble just naming fifty members of the Windsor clan, let alone recognizing them on sight. So I put a little guide together for my use, and thought I'd share. These are the Windsors with golden tickets to the Abbey, from the most recognizable down to the ones that we hardly ever see, and it's pretty much the entire family (except those too young to behave themselves reliably). Feel free to print and use as a fashion scorecard...that's my grand plan.

 

The most obvious. William's immediate family: grandparents, father, stepmother, brother (and best man).

William's uncles, aunt, and assorted spouses.

William's cousins and spouses/spouses-to-be. Not pictured: William's cousin Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor (age 7), who will be in the bridal party.

The children and grandchildren of the late Princess Margaret, the Queen's sister. The pictures of the kids are woefully out of date; there are only sketchy photos here and here from last summer that are any closer to current age. Not pictured: The Hon. Margarita Armstrong-Jones (age 8), who will be in the bridal party.

The Duke of Gloucester is the Queen's cousin, a grandson of King George V. He, his wife, and their three children (with accompanying spouses) will be in the Abbey.

 

The Duke of Kent is another cousin of the Queen and grandson of George V. He and his wife will be in the Abbey along with their three children and their three oldest grandchildren.

Prince Michael of Kent is the Duke of Kent's brother. He, his wife, and their two children will be there, along with Frederick's wife.

And the last of the Kents: Princess Alexandra is the sister of Prince Michael and the Duke of Kent. She will be in attendance on Friday with her two children and her daughter-in-law. And on the end we have not a Kent, but The Lady Saltoun. She's related through marriage way back to Queen Victoria, is primarily know as Chief of the Name and the Arms of Fraser, and is considered a member of the extended royal family by the Queen.

Foreign Royals

In addition to the Windsors, plenty of foreign royals will be there. Keep an eye out for these folks:

• The Prince and Princess of the Asturias
• The Sultan of Brunei and Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha
• King Simeon II and Queen Margarita of Bulgaria
• The Queen of Denmark
• King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie of the Hellenes
• Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece and Prince Constantine of Greece
• Sheikh Ahmad Hmoud Al-Sabah of Kuwait
• Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso and Princess Mabereng Seeiso of Lesotho
• The Grand Duke and Duchess of Luxembourg
• The Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong of Malaysia
• Prince Albert II of Monaco and Miss Charlene Wittstock
• Princess Lalla Salma of Morocco
• The Crown Prince and Princess of The Netherlands
• The King and Queen of Norway
• Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said of Oman
• The Emir of The State of Qatar and Sheika Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned
• King Michael I of Romania and Crown Princess Margarita
• Prince Mohamed bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia and Princess Fadwa bint Khalid bin Abdullah bin Abdulrahman
• The Queen of Spain
• The King of Swaziland
• The Crown Princess of Sweden and The Duke of Vastergotland
• Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand
• The King of Tonga
• The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi
• Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine of Yugoslavia
• The Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia

Guest Fashion News

I've been trying to keep up with news on what the guests will be wearing, though it's certainly not as plentiful as "news" on what the bride will wear. Here's what I've got so far (and I'll keep updating!):

• The Countess of Wessex will be in Bruce Oldfield.
• The Duchess of Cornwall will wear something from her own wedding gown designer, Anna Valentine.
• Chelsy Davy will wear Alberta Ferretti.
• The Queen will probably be in something designed by her personal dresser, Angela Kelly.
• We should see Philip Treacy hats on the Yorks, Sophie, Camilla, Zara, and many, many more. Fabienne Delvigne hats are a likely possibility for Princess Maxima and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, if not Crown Princess Victoria and Princess Mathilde as well.
• Carole Middleton was said to have had a falling out with Sarah Ferguson's wedding dress designer, Lindka Cierach, resulting in the cancellation of a commission. Who knows if that's true or not.
• I'd put my money on Charlene Wittstock in Armani. Nope, looks like Charlene will go with Akris. Color me shocked!
• I'd also put my money on Sheikha Mozah in something worth more than my car.
• Victoria Beckham will wear her own design, topped by a Treacy hat and custom Louboutins, with David Beckham in Ralph Lauren.
• Samantha Cameron will opt for Burberry's Christopher Kane, as will Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman.
• Anya Hindmarch will wear Emilia Wickstead.
• Sara Parker-Bowles will be dressed by Osman.
• Lady Helen Taylor will be in Erdem.
• Viscountess Linley is wearing Roland Mouret with Manolo Blahnik heels, an Anya Hindmarch clutch, and a Stephen Jones hat.
• Holly Branson will wear Irwin & Jordan.
• Lady Frederick Windsor and Princess Mathilde will wear Armani. The Daily Mail (I know, not so much on the reliability) also claims Armani will dress Princess Nikolaos, who isn't on the released guest list.
• Princess Letizia will be wearing Felipe Varela, per usual (thanks to @elpalais on Twitter for that one!).
• Bridesmaid's dresses are now reported to be Nicki Macfarlane.
• Princess Eugenie will wear Vivienne Westwood.
• Lady Sarah Chatto will stick with her own wedding gown designer, Jasper Conran.

Have you seen any others confirmed? Any guest fashion guesses?

Source

Style Speculation: Catherine Middleton's Bridal Gown

It's time to play a game! The Royal Bridal Gown Guessing Game, to be exact. Place your bets now: what will Kate wear on her big day? The winner gets...uh, eternal sartorial glory. GAME ON:

Question #1: Who will the designer be?

First of all, I think it's right smart that Kate's keeping this under wraps. None of that paparazzi-digging-through-your-trash business the Emanuels had to put up with back in 1981. Besides, why would you want your designer all concerned about press? Focus on the dress! (Selfish, but true.)

The top two names so far have been Daniella Helayel of Issa and Bruce Oldfield. Issa's an obvious favorite and Oldfield's an experienced bridal designer with ties to Diana. I hope it's neither of them, personally. Worth a thought: though Issa's considered a British label, Helayel herself isn't British, and the expectation will be for a purely British creation. Oldfield's become the front runner, but he's been giving so many interviews. Don't you think the clamps would be firmly shut on the mouth of the actual designer?

Two other names often tossed around: Phillipa Lepley, a couture bridal designer, and Jenny Packham, both a bridal and ready-to-wear designer with a long celebrity client roster. Lepley would make a lovely dress, to be sure, but would it be epic? (And isn't that what we're looking for, something along the Diana/Grace lines of memorableness?) Packham's dresses are gorgeous and girly and intricate, and I think her vision's strong enough to bring Kate to a new style.

Two other names I hope she took a look at: Amanda Wakeley and Emilia Wickstead. Wakeley's aesthetic is a clean and modern line that fits with what we've seen of Kate's style so far. She's an experienced bridal designer, and she's known among royal circles: she dressed the Countess of Wessex for both of Crown Princess Victoria's wedding events last year, and Tatiana Blatnik wore a stunning green gown from Wakeley's range last June. I think she'd do something different, not just a trumped-up version of typical off-the-rack gown style. Wickstead, on the other hand, doesn't run a regular bridal line, which is part of the reason I'd like to see her take on The Gown. She's got a prim yet feminine style - like a modern take on the kind of elegance we associate with Princess Grace or Audrey Hepburn.

Lastly, I have to place a bet for the total unknown. I'd love it if she took a totally new face and created the Next British Fashion Star. In fact, my number 1 request for her Princess Style on the whole is that she use all this attention and fury and put it to good use getting some brand new fashion talent off the ground. And I'd love to see her do that with all things British, but also show some love to Australian, Canadian, and other Commonwealth country designers.

 

Question #2: What will the gown look like?

Truthfully, I'm having a hard time picturing Kate's gown. We just haven't seen her in evening wear that often, and what we have seen has been fairly one-note. Mainly, these three appearances:

So I guess I'm really just hoping we don't see some version of this thing done in white with a veil and train tacked on. (The pink and charcoal numbers are both Issa. Blue is BCBG Max Azria.)

What do I think we'll see? A v-neck, that seems to be a favorite, and nothing too fussy. (She doesn't strike me as a meringue-ish kind of girl.) I think a coat dress over a simpler gown is a possibility given the weather and that the day lends itself to having an evening look later on. I simply can't picture a big ballgown skirt on Kate, so I'll place my bets on a slim silhouette from the front that widens out to a train at the back. And speaking of the train, I'll guess something in the 15 foot range for length. Also, personally, I prefer a simpler gown paired with a more intricate veil, so I'll hope for that.

Okay, your turn: who will design The Dress, and what will it look like? This is high-stakes stuff here, kids.

Style Speculation: Catherine Middleton's Bridal Gown

It's time to play a game! The Royal Bridal Gown Guessing Game, to be exact. Place your bets now: what will Kate wear on her big day? The winner gets...uh, eternal sartorial glory. GAME ON:

Question #1: Who will the designer be?

First of all, I think it's right smart that Kate's keeping this under wraps. None of that paparazzi-digging-through-your-trash business the Emanuels had to put up with back in 1981. Besides, why would you want your designer all concerned about press? Focus on the dress! (Selfish, but true.)

The top two names so far have been Daniella Helayel of Issa and Bruce Oldfield. Issa's an obvious favorite and Oldfield's an experienced bridal designer with ties to Diana. I hope it's neither of them, personally. Worth a thought: though Issa's considered a British label, Helayel herself isn't British, and the expectation will be for a purely British creation. Oldfield's become the front runner, but he's been giving so many interviews. Don't you think the clamps would be firmly shut on the mouth of the actual designer?

Two other names often tossed around: Phillipa Lepley, a couture bridal designer, and Jenny Packham, both a bridal and ready-to-wear designer with a long celebrity client roster. Lepley would make a lovely dress, to be sure, but would it be epic? (And isn't that what we're looking for, something along the Diana/Grace lines of memorableness?) Packham's dresses are gorgeous and girly and intricate, and I think her vision's strong enough to bring Kate to a new style.

Two other names I hope she took a look at: Amanda Wakeley and Emilia Wickstead. Wakeley's aesthetic is a clean and modern line that fits with what we've seen of Kate's style so far. She's an experienced bridal designer, and she's known among royal circles: she dressed the Countess of Wessex for both of Crown Princess Victoria's wedding events last year, and Tatiana Blatnik wore a stunning green gown from Wakeley's range last June. I think she'd do something different, not just a trumped-up version of typical off-the-rack gown style. Wickstead, on the other hand, doesn't run a regular bridal line, which is part of the reason I'd like to see her take on The Gown. She's got a prim yet feminine style - like a modern take on the kind of elegance we associate with Princess Grace or Audrey Hepburn.

Lastly, I have to place a bet for the total unknown. I'd love it if she took a totally new face and created the Next British Fashion Star. In fact, my number 1 request for her Princess Style on the whole is that she use all this attention and fury and put it to good use getting some brand new fashion talent off the ground. And I'd love to see her do that with all things British, but also show some love to Australian, Canadian, and other Commonwealth country designers.

 

Question #2: What will the gown look like?

Truthfully, I'm having a hard time picturing Kate's gown. We just haven't seen her in evening wear that often, and what we have seen has been fairly one-note. Mainly, these three appearances:

So I guess I'm really just hoping we don't see some version of this thing done in white with a veil and train tacked on. (The pink and charcoal numbers are both Issa. Blue is BCBG Max Azria.)

What do I think we'll see? A v-neck, that seems to be a favorite, and nothing too fussy. (She doesn't strike me as a meringue-ish kind of girl.) I think a coat dress over a simpler gown is a possibility given the weather and that the day lends itself to having an evening look later on. I simply can't picture a big ballgown skirt on Kate, so I'll place my bets on a slim silhouette from the front that widens out to a train at the back. And speaking of the train, I'll guess something in the 15 foot range for length. Also, personally, I prefer a simpler gown paired with a more intricate veil, so I'll hope for that.

Okay, your turn: who will design The Dress, and what will it look like? This is high-stakes stuff here, kids.

Style Speculation: Kate Middleton

So: Kate Middleton's day in the sun has arrived. Let's talk about her.

I've never covered Kate on this blog. Three reasons for that, really:

1. I may or may not be harboring a slight resentment for the girl, ruining my fantasies of snatching old Wills for myself. (What? A girl's got to have something to daydream about.)
2. Her style...it's never interested me. I do not think she's badly dressed, per se, but I don't see an innate flair there either.  That said....
3. I've never felt it quite fair to hold her to the same standards as I would a princess. She's been going it on her own, likely without the help of a stylist or the team of designers, hair and makeup people and other assorted lackeys a royal would have access to. And certainly without a full-fledged royal budget.

But she's engaged now, so the game is afoot. Let's revisit her most recent appearance:

Clarence House says the couple were engaged while in Kenya, which was before this appearance, which makes this the first of Kate's official princess-in-waiting outfits. It's a little boring, no? Not bad at all, but there isn't anything making my skirt fly up here. I'm hoping this all changes, and soon. I hope that Kate gets herself a stylist, or that some designer will take her under a wing.

See, I have a theory, and it goes like this: a royal family needs all kinds of people in it for greatest appeal. You need your workhorse royals (like the Princess Royal, and Queen Elizabeth), but I think you also need a bit of glamour to make it work, and the Windsors don't have that right now. Even crusty old me can admit that Kate's a gorgeous girl with a hell of a figure, which makes her potentially the best thing to happen to British fashion since Diana. I'm not sure that will happen, though, precisely because it would invoke a Diana comparison. And one can only imagine the royal family's thoughts on that.

UPDATE: Photocall time! Diana's ring, which I think is sweet.

  

While I switch my daydreaming focus over to Guillaume and Harry, tell me: What do you think? What are your predictions, and your hopes, for the style of the future Queen Catherine?

Photo: Zimbio/Reuters

Style Speculation: Kate Middleton

So: Kate Middleton's day in the sun has arrived. Let's talk about her.

I've never covered Kate on this blog. Three reasons for that, really:

1. I may or may not be harboring a slight resentment for the girl, ruining my fantasies of snatching old Wills for myself. (What? A girl's got to have something to daydream about.)
2. Her style...it's never interested me. I do not think she's badly dressed, per se, but I don't see an innate flair there either.  That said....
3. I've never felt it quite fair to hold her to the same standards as I would a princess. She's been going it on her own, likely without the help of a stylist or the team of designers, hair and makeup people and other assorted lackeys a royal would have access to. And certainly without a full-fledged royal budget.

But she's engaged now, so the game is afoot. Let's revisit her most recent appearance:

Clarence House says the couple were engaged while in Kenya, which was before this appearance, which makes this the first of Kate's official princess-in-waiting outfits. It's a little boring, no? Not bad at all, but there isn't anything making my skirt fly up here. I'm hoping this all changes, and soon. I hope that Kate gets herself a stylist, or that some designer will take her under a wing.

See, I have a theory, and it goes like this: a royal family needs all kinds of people in it for greatest appeal. You need your workhorse royals (like the Princess Royal, and Queen Elizabeth), but I think you also need a bit of glamour to make it work, and the Windsors don't have that right now. Even crusty old me can admit that Kate's a gorgeous girl with a hell of a figure, which makes her potentially the best thing to happen to British fashion since Diana. I'm not sure that will happen, though, precisely because it would invoke a Diana comparison. And one can only imagine the royal family's thoughts on that.

UPDATE: Photocall time! Diana's ring, which I think is sweet.

  

While I switch my daydreaming focus over to Guillaume and Harry, tell me: What do you think? What are your predictions, and your hopes, for the style of the future Queen Catherine?

Photo: Zimbio/Reuters