Royal wedding: Kate Middleton's mother 'falls out with dress designer'

Published on Sunday 17 April 2011 17:06

IT IS the mother of all dress disputes. Carole Middleton has reportedly fallen out with the top couturier hired to design the dress she will wear on her daughter's wedding to Prince William.

After four months of attending secret fittings in the designer's London studio, Mrs Middleton has reportedly refused to wear the dress, after accusing the designer, Lindka Cierach, of being "unaccommodating".

Yesterday, the designer, who created the Duchess of York's wedding dress, refused to speak about the fashion split, but a source was quoted as saying that she is "completely bemused after all the hard work she had put into creating the outfit".

The couturier, whose clients include Queen Rania of Jordan and Catherine Zeta-Jones and whose dresses start at 4,500, was hired shortly after the engagement of Prince William and Kate Middleton was announced. The designer's philosophy is said to be "accentuate the beautiful areas and disappear the others".

Mrs Middleton was said to have settled on a dress with a matching jacket and went on to order a matching hat from Jess Collett, a top London milliner. However, it is understood that the fall-out was triggered three weeks ago when Mrs Middleton asked for the dress to be dispatched to her home so she could show it off to friends.

While Ms Cierach explained that it was an unconventional request, as designers do not usually allow a garment out of their studio until it is finished, she agreed on condition that she accompany the dress to ensure it was not damaged or details leaked.

It was reported yesterday that Mrs Middleton refused and said the designer was being "unaccommodating" and that she no longer wished to wear the dress.

Yesterday, a fashion insider was quoted as saying: "It is unheard of for a couturier to allow something out of their studio unfinished. Mrs Middleton wanted it to be delivered pinned together."

However, Ms Cierach went on to finish the outfit, which was then sent to the Middleton family home in Bucklebury, Berkshire.

Yesterday, a friend of Mrs Middleton was quoted as saying: "She was intending to wear Lindka Cierach, but now she's found something she likes better, which is every woman's prerogative, and she has told Lindka this. She paid her deposit and will be settling Lindka Cierach's bill in full."

According to reports, the Queen has been informed of the dispute, as it is etiquette to inform her of outfit choices in order to avoid a clash with what she intends to wear on the day.

While the question of what Mrs Middleton is wearing will not be revealed until the wedding day, there had been reports that she may have commissioned more than one outfit, intending to choose a favourite on the day.

Shortly after the alleged row, Mrs Middleton was pictured with her daughter Pippa outside of the studio of Alice Temperley.

Yesterday, a palace spokesman said: "What Mrs Middleton wears to the wedding is her own private business."