Why Meghan Markle chose Stella McCartney to design her reception dress

The Duchess of Sussex has previously chosen outfits by female designers for important events

Chelsea Ritschel
Thursday 09 August 2018 22:20 BST
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This is why Meghan Markle chose her reception dress designer (Getty)
This is why Meghan Markle chose her reception dress designer (Getty)

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When Meghan Markle appeared in her second wedding gown, a halter-dress by Stella McCartney, it was admired around the world.

With her hair in her signature messy bun, the Duchess of Sussex looked every bit a royal in the white silk gown as she and Prince Harry stepped out for the first time as husband and wife.

And it turns out there may have been a few very specific reasons the Duchess of Sussex chose McCartney for the coveted job.

According to the designer, Markle approached her to design her second wedding dress, but it wasn’t just for her design abilities - “I think Meghan chose me for reasons other than just a beautiful dress,” McCartney told Elle magazine. “Plenty of people can do that.

“I think, obviously I am a British designer, but I think being a woman and being a women’s woman played a part,” McCartney revealed.

The opportunity was different to other huge successes in the designer's career because the Duchess sought out McCartney - in comparison to McCartney asking "Can I dress you for that?"

Markle wore the halter gown as her second dress (Getty)
Markle wore the halter gown as her second dress (Getty)

Despite Markle and the designer having a friendship prior to the royal wedding, McCartney was still honoured at the request.

“I was honoured and I still am,” she said.

In addition to Markle’s dress, the socially-conscious designer also designed royal wedding outfits for Amal Clooney and Oprah - other women McCartney referred to as “women’s women.”

The dress was custom silk designed by Stella McCartney (Getty)
The dress was custom silk designed by Stella McCartney (Getty)

Markle, an outspoken feminist, has previously used her dresses for important occasions to make a feminist statement - as many of them have been designed by female designers.

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