I DO

The royal wedding has been inescapable since its announcement a few short months ago, garnering growing global interest. The fashion world has paid particular attention to this, the social event of the year, as where better than a royal wedding to showcase and support the best British designers we have to offer.

Of course, Kate Middleton's dress has been the subject of incessant speculation. After relentless rumours, this morning it was revealed as the princess-to-be stepped of her car that indeed Sarah Burton (for Alexander McQueen) is the designer of Kate's wedding dress. Kate's dress, ivory and white full skirted silk gazar gown is overlaid with Chantilly lace sleeves, the train is two metres seventy long. Click here for a detailed description of the dress and the techniques used to make it. The lace and sheer detailing were telling signs of Burton's involvement with this auspicious occasion, but Burton was only confirmed through a statement, released shortly after Kate's appearance:

"Miss Middleton chose British brand Alexander McQueen for the beauty of its craftsmanship and its respect for traditional workmanship and the technical construction of clothing...Miss Middleton wished for her dress to combine tradition and modernity with the artistic vision that characterises Alexander McQueen's work. Miss Middleton worked closely with Sarah Burton in formulating the design of her dress."

The choice of Alexander McQueen, or rather Sarah Burton, as the designer of the wedding dress may not have been so touching had it not been for his tragic suicide over a year ago, but through her choice Kate shows the world that she is loyal to British fashion and has an edge, a youth and an originality to her that can only be endearing for the British public. 

Kate Middleton in Sarah Burton at her wedding to Prince William

Victoria Beckham in one her own designs and a Philip Treacy hat

Paula Reed in Peter Pilotto

Phillipa, Kate's sister, is also in a white gown designed by Sarah Burton, while Beatrice is in Vivienne Westwood and Samantha Cameron in Burberry and Erdem.

Pictures will be posted as they become available! Until then keep up with all the wedding fashion news on my TWITTER. Grazia are also giving excellent coverage

SPRUCY BRUCEY

My favourite TV guilty pleasure  stopped off at Birmingham University on Wednesday, and what a day to choose. The sun shone over the ever-growing queues and their antiques as the people of Birmingham descended on Fiona Bruce and the Antiques Roadshow.

Not only did I manage to grab Paul Atterbury as my expert (the man wears blazers like no other), I was filmed with Hilary Kay talking about my Vivienne Westwood God Save The Queen t-shirt. So come September, watch out for me on the BBC! 

Paul Atterbury and Hilary Kay

Fiona Bruce

Getting my hair and make-up done by the BBC

Microphone time

Being filmed

Like I said, catch me on the new series in September!

GIMME FIVE

Five reasons why I love The Coveteur:

1) You can now shop straight from the photos
2) The text to image ratio is wonderful, unlike far too many sites these days!
3) I'm terribly nosy
4) The site is constantly updated, meaning there is always another wardrobe to distract yourself with
5) Each shoot confirms my deep impulse to buy more shoes!

A few of my favourite shots:

Britt Aboutaleb

Jane Keltner De Valle

Mary Kate Steinmiller

Stephanie Winston Walkoff