Kiwi designer Emilia Wickstead claims Givenchy copied one of her designs
THIS dress looks almost identical to the Givenchy gown Meghan Markle wore on her wedding day, but it is a sneaky copycat or just an innocent coincidence?
A KIWI fashion designer Emilia Wickstead has found herself doing damage control after it was reported she called Meghan Markle’s wedding gown “identical” to one of her own creations.
Wickstead, a favourite of the Duchess of Cambridge, reportedly told the Daily Mail the new Duchess of Sussex’s wedding dress was strikingly similar to a $12,000 bridal dress in her own collection.
Wickstead was quoted as saying: “Her dress is identical to one of our dresses.”
“Apparently a lot of commentators were saying, ‘It’s an Emilia Wickstead dress’”, she said of the estimated £200,000 ($350,000) gown, the work of Clare Waight Keller of Givenchy.
Social media quickly erupted as Twitter users chastised the designer with remarks such as:
“#EmiliaWickstead has a lot of nerve talking rudely about the #DuchessOfSussex’s wedding dress! Emilia actually works as a designer for the royal family! Highly unprofessional!”
@MeadhbhMcGrath added: “Deeply unprofessional comments from Emilia Wickstead on Meghan’s Givenchy gown! Will Kate Middleton sever ties with one of her favourite designers over this?”
Another, @pookiesmith2424, wrote: “Emilia Wickstead May just have lost her Royal customers!”
Yesterday Wickstead’s Twitter account was mysteriously suspended. While it’s not clear why, most Twitter accounts are usually suspended in order to investigate a breach of user rules, which can include bullying and attacks on users.
Today the designer has released a statement on Instagram.
“I am extremely saddened by commentary that has appeared in the press and online over the past few days.”
The designer continued: “Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Sussex looked absolutely beautiful on her wedding day and I have the utmost admiration and respect for her.
“I do not think that her wedding dress was a copy of any of our designs. I have the greatest respect for Clare Waight Keller and the House of Givenchy — a huge source of inspiration to me.”
Wickstead’s other reported comments had a different tone as she remarked on the fit of the Royal Wedding gown and Markle’s hairstyle:
“If you choose a simple design the fit should be perfect. Her wedding dress was quite loose.”
And she didn’t approve of the bride’s relaxed hair style: “I was like, ‘Hold the wisps [of her hair] back — it’s a Royal Wedding, for God’s sake.’”
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