While the dust has barely settled since fashion designer Emilia Wickstead called out the Duchess of Sussex’s Givenchy wedding dress as similar to one of her own designs, the story isn’t over yet.
Famous social media watchdogs and satirical fashion Instagram account Diet Prada have weighed in, with a claim that the New Zealand-born Emilia Wickstead has also ‘swiped’ inspiration from other designers with her own clothes.
Writing on their social media page, Diet Prada uploaded a comparison picture of a vintage Jacques Fath outfit with one of Emilia Wickstead’s own designs.
‘So, according to Emilia Wickstead, it’s apparently not possible for other designers to reference vintage archives (even of the legacy houses they’re employed by), but it’s totally cool for her to do so herself’ the design duo posted.
Last week, New Zealand designer Emilia Wickstead (pictured) reportedly said that the Duchess of Sussex’s Givenchy wedding dress looked ‘identical’ to one of her own designs
The Duchess of Sussex (pictured on her wedding day) wore a $350,000 Givenchy dress designed by Clare Waight Keller
‘Here, Wickstead swipes an ultra-specific box-pleated bust cupped brasserie/bow adorned tailoring detail for her SS18 collection from a 1950s Jacques Fath look. Shall we say, lesson learned? Lol.’
In another post, the satirical Instagrammers also highlighted other more likely sources of inspiration for the Duchess’s dress by Clare Waight Keller.
‘Here is yet another archival 1967 Givenchy wedding dress from the Chicago Museum that may have served as inspiration for Clare Waight Keller’s Givenchy design.
‘Different construction with the seaming and a more traditional boatneck than Keller’s exaggerated version, but overall a strong resemblance with the relaxed silhouette vs Wickstead’s A-line skirt and fully bare shoulders.’
Diet Prada also compared the Clare Waight Keller Givenchy dress to Hubert’s silk matelassé wedding dress, modelled by Audrey Hepburn in a 1964 issue of Vogue.
Fashion Instagram account Diet Prada weighed in, with a claim that Emilia Wickstead has also ‘swiped’ inspiration from other designers – they cited a 1967 Givenchy dress (left) as a more likely influence than Emilia Wickstead’s (right) $12,000 creation
Last week, New Zealander Emilia Wickstead commented that the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle’s wedding gown was ‘identical’ to one of her own $12,300 creations.
Emilia Wickstead (pictured) triggered the storm after she reportedly said: ‘Her dress is identical to one of our dresses’
Emilia, who is a favourite of the Duchess of Cambridge, quickly sparked a backlash on social media, before her Twitter account was mysteriously suspended.
Meghan’s dress was actually created by Givenchy’s Clare Wright Keller, costing $350,000, and kept firmly under wraps until the big day.
Emilia Wickstead triggered the storm after she reportedly said: ‘Her dress is identical to one of our dresses. Apparently a lot of commentators were saying, “It’s an Emilia Wickstead dress”.’
The designer then reportedly went on to have a bit of a dig at Meghan’s look.
She said: ‘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.”
‘Different construction with the seaming and a more traditional boatneck than Keller’s exaggerated version, but overall a strong resemblance with the relaxed silhouette vs Wickstead’s A-line skirt and fully bare shoulders,’ Diet Prada wrote of the 1967 Givenchy dress (left)
Since making the comments, Emilia Wickstead has backtracked on her original statements, issuing a statement which 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’.
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.
Emilia issued a statement (picutred) which 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’
‘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.’
Emilia is one of the Duchess of Cambridge’s favourite designers, and was worn by Meghan on Anzac Day in April.