Designer Emilia Wickstead has backtracked on her claim that Meghan’s £200,000 Givenchy gown looked ‘identical’ to one of her own designs.
In a statement, the New Zealand-born designer said she does ‘not think that her wedding dress was a copy of any of our designs’, adding that she has the ‘greatest respect for Clare Waight Keller’.
Emilia, 34, described the Duchess of Sussex as looking ‘absolutely beautiful’ on her wedding day and said she has the ‘utmost admiration and respect for her’.
It comes after she the designer previously suggested to the Mail that Meghan’s wedding gown was ‘identical to one of our dresses’.
Designer Emilia Wickstead has backtracked on her claim that Meghan’s £200,000 Givenchy gown looked ‘identical’ to one of her own designs
In the statement shared on Instagram, Emilia said: ‘I am extremely saddened by commentary that has appeared in the press and on-line over the past few days.
‘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.’
She added: ‘ I wish Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex a wonderful, happy and love filled life together.’
The New Zealand-born designer described Prince Harry’s bride as looking ‘absolutely beautiful’ on her wedding day
In a statement posted on Instagram (above), Emilia, 34, said she does ‘not think that her wedding dress was a copy of any of our designs’
Emilia is one of the Duchess of Cambridge’s favourite designers, and was worn by Meghan on Anzac Day in April.
But following the wedding, she remarked on the similarity between Meghan’s stunning Givenchy gown and one of her own off-shoulder designs.
She told the Mail: ‘Her dress is identical to one of our dresses. Apparently a lot of commentators were saying, “It’s an Emilia Wickstead dress.”’
Emilia added: ‘If you choose a simple design the fit should be perfect. Her wedding dress was quite loose.’
Emilia had previously remarked on the similarity between Meghan’s stunning Givenchy gown and one of her own off-shoulder designs (above)