Australian duo poised to dress Meghan Markle for the Royal Wedding

IT IS ONE of the biggest fashion secrets in the world, but as the royal wedding of Meghan Markle to Prince Harry inches closer, the speculative spotlight of who the princess-to-be will wear, has shone close to home.

IT is one of the biggest fashion secrets in the world, but as the royal wedding of Meghan Markle to Prince Harry inches closer, the speculative spotlight of who the princess-to-be will wear, has shone close to home.

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Rumours this week suggested the royal wedding gown could be the work of Australian-founded Ralph & Russo, who Meghan also wore for her and Harry’s engagement portraits. C

The palace confirmed the American actor has made her choice, but a well-placed royal insider has said “Meghan has chosen Ralph & Russo”.

Tamara Ralph and Michael Russo. Picture: AFP PHOTO / BERTRAND GUAY.

A spokesman for the luxury label said Ralph & Russo would “be politely declining a comment”, but this hasn’t stopped royal wedding whispers, despite the brand not being a household name — even in Australia from where their haute couture hails.

The fashion house formed in 2010 after Australian-born Tamara Ralph graduated from Melbourne’s Whitehouse Institute of Design and travelled to London with little more than a sewing machine, in the hopes of starting her own line. Ralph’s partner and brand CEO, Michael Russo, is also Australian.

Whitehouse founder and executive director Leanne Whitehouse says she is not surprised her former student has received such international acclaim.

“Tamara was an exceptional student; what stood out was her commitment to perfection,” she says.

“Her style was very classic and had a lifelong, timeless quality; it was exquisite.”

Whitehouse says that in the 30 years of the renowned fashion school, Ralph was one of the most memorable alumni.

“Whether she was making a denim skirt or a chiffon blouse, she was committed to every single thread_ rarely you find a student like that,” she said.

“I really hope she gets the wedding dress — it would be the icing on the cake.”

In the seven years since they officially launched their luxury label, Ralph & Russo have been accepted into the hallowed ranks of the Federation de la Haute Couture et de la Mode in 2013, making them the only British haute couture house and the first in over 100 years to be invited to show on the Paris haute couture fashion week schedule.

Jennifer Lopez arrives at The 59th Grammy Awards wearing Ralph & Russo. Picture: Dan MacMedan.

Employing more than 400 staff at their Mayfair headquarters, the team cater for a who’s who roll call of clients including First Ladies, royalty, Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Lupita Nyong’o and Angelina Jolie, and boast price tags that start at a cool $53,000 while some gowns are rumoured to have been sold for $1 million.

If Ralph & Russo are tasked with designing what will become one of the most photographed wedding dresses in history, their latest Paris runway in January may offer some clues into the style Markle may wear.

Actor Jessica Biel wore Ralph & Russo to attend the 69th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in 2017. Picture: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images/AFP

Full of whimsy and fairytale romance, the collection showcased frothy organza, pearl encrusted Chantilly lace, fine-spun silk fringing, sheer tulle, voluminous tiered skirts, gold bullion embroidery and glass beaded embellishment.

While sleeves are largely absent in Ralph & Russo’s designs, royal and religious protocol may see Markle cover up for the ceremony at St George’s Chapel in Windsor, however we can also assume for practical reasons that Markle won’t be wearing a gown similar to the one worn by Bollywood actor Sonam Kapoor to close Ralph & Russo’s 2017 show. The weight of champagne gown which featured a double duchess overskirt was so great it took five assistants to help her turn when she reached the bottom of the runway.

Meghan Markle will be requiring the dress-fluffing assistance of several of bridesmaids if she chose this gown from the 2017 fall/winter Haute Couture collection in Paris. Picture: AFP.

Melbourne bridal designer Sonia Capellazzo said she thinks Markle will put her own slant on tradition.

“Observing her last few fashion forays under the banner of ‘future princess’ I don’t think that it will be as traditional as Grace Kelly or Kate, however I don’t think she will wear a colour or feathers or anything too flamboyant — there will still have to be a timeless quality to her look,” she said.

“I think we will see volume, texture, draping and beading, but maybe she will change into something a little edgier,” she said.

While it won’t be known until May 19 whether Aussies can lay claim to the dress, there’s no denying that Ralph & Russo’s designs are more than appropriate in which to marry a prince.