Kate Middleton in an Alexander McQueen gown designed by Sarah Burton with sister Pippa Middleton at her royal wedding to Prince William in London
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STANDING FIRM: Alexander McQueen is robustly defending itself against claims by an English bridal designer that the Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding gown was inspired by her sketches.
According to a report in The Sunday Times of London, Christine Kendall, a bridal designer who works in Hertfordsdshire, England, is suing the British fashion house for breach of copyright with a claim filed at the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court in London.
The paper quoted Kendall’s lawyer saying her designs were “unfairly taken and copied” by the fashion house. The dress, designed by creative director Sarah Burton and handmade in the McQueen studio in London, was kept a secret until Kate Middleton appeared at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011.
A spokesman for McQueen said the house is “utterly baffled” by the legal claim.
“Christine Kendall first approached us, at Alexander McQueen, almost four years ago, when we were clear with her that any suggestion Sarah Burton’s design of the royal wedding dress was copied from her designs was nonsense.
“Sarah Burton never saw any of Ms. Kendall’s designs or sketches and did not know of Ms. Kendall before Ms. Kendall got in touch with us — some 13 months after the wedding. We do not know why Ms. Kendall has raised this again, but there are no if’s, buts or maybes here: This claim is ridiculous.”
Kendall’s legal team could not be reached for comment at press time.
In 2012, Burton was awarded an OBE, or The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire honor, for services to the fashion industry at Buckingham Palace.
“I’m very lucky,” she said after the event. “I’ve been given some amazing opportunities — to work for someone as amazing as Lee [Alexander McQueen] and then having the honor of doing the wedding dress.”
At the time, Burton also said she was surprised to receive the royal commission: “It came completely out of the blue, it was very exciting, and I felt very privileged.”
The Duchess of Cambridge has continued to wear McQueen for special occasions. Most recently she donned a red printed peplum skirt suit to meet with survivors of the 2008 Mumbai attacks during an official trip to India earlier this month.







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