Iconic Celebrity Wedding Dresses That Made Headlines
- Jun 8, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 24
Let's talk about Celebrity Wedding Dress Trends! The first iconic dress “appeared” in 1927 on Norma Shearer's body. The "first lady of MGM" married producer Irving Thalberg in a ceremony of just 50 guests, wearing a sleeveless model, with velvet details and a skirt in layers of chiffon. The look was completed with accessories such as pearls and a flowered tiara.
In 1937 we have the second iconic dress, worn by Wallis Warfield. The American socialite married King Edward VIII of the United Kingdom, wearing one of the most photographed models of all time, known as Wallis Blue, as the color matched Wallis' blue eyes.
The minimalist design, by couturier Main Rousseau Bocher (founder of the Mainbocher brand) also had a secret element: a zigzag seam on the back of the neck, symbolizing a scar. The meaning of this symbol remains one of Wallis Warfield and Mainbocher's mysteries.
In 1947, Queen Elizabeth II married Prince Phillip Mountabetten, wearing a model with rich flower embroidery and "in soft, flowing fabrics, particularly tulle and chiffon, and in smooth, shimmering silks". The dress was decorated with crystals and 10,000 pearls imported from the USA.
The dress was designed by Norman Hartnell, who says he was inspired by Sandro Botticelli's "Primavera". The designer is proud to say: "the most beautiful dress I've ever made".
Jacqueline Kennedy was considered a fashion icon and it was only right to get married wearing an iconic dress. The dress worn at their wedding in 1953 was made from 15 meters of silk, and consisted of a sweetheart neckline, short sleeves and a wide skirt adorned with small flowers.
Grace Kelly, in 1956, wore the dress that was considered one of the most beautiful wedding dresses of the 20th century. Helen Rose, MGM's costume designer worked on designing and making the dress, along with a team of 30 seamstresses.
The model, with a voluminous skirt, long sleeves, high collar and pearl appliqués over lace, cost £4,500 (equivalent to £36,000 today) in materials and fabrication. This figure does not include Helen Rose's salary.
We used 274 meters of lace, 23 meters of silk taffeta and 23 meters of heavy taffeta. The veil is approximately 90 meters long, and the shoes were designed by David Evins. Grace Kelly's wedding dress currently belongs to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Elizabeth Taylor married Richard Burton in 1964. The couple met during the filming of “Cleopatra” and Elizabeth wore a dress signed by Irene Sharaff, author of the costumes for “Cleopatra”. The model is made in yellow chiffon.
The couple separated, but remarried in 1975, in Africa, when the actress appeared wearing a dress decorated with feathers and with a gradient effect in emerald green, violet and turquoise.
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