Dolce & Gabbana is a relatively elusive designer name within the wedding industry. While fashionable brides are likely to pack various D&G ensembles for their honeymoon, or even choose a cocktail dress as a second look during a wedding reception, it’s not often that they walk down the aisle in a masterpiece created by the famed Italian duo. It wasn’t until last year, in fact, that Dolce & Gabbana designed the first British bridal gown – an historic moment in fashion that is now being commemorated at Oxfordshire’s iconic Blenheim Palace.
So, who was the lucky bride? The Dolce & Gabbana wedding dress was created for Camilla Thorp (now Lady Blandford), who married her childhood sweetheart, Lord George Blandford, in September 2018. Camilla was involved in the designing process as well, personally selecting the fabrics and small details of the gown. To ensure the perfect fit, Lady Blandford went through an arduous measuring process while visiting Milan, resulting in a unique and completely customized mannequin. The accuracy of the measurements was so on point that the gown only required a few minor tweaks during her final fitting, two days before the wedding ceremony was held at St. Mary Magdalene’s Church in Woodstock.
This exquisite British bridal gown, now on display in Blenheim Palace’s Long Library, features an off-shoulder lace bodice covered with pale pink and white appliqued flowers and delicate seed pearls. Multiple layers of tulle form the skirt with a topping of organza, and lace is used to finish the skirt’s hem, along with the edges of the silk tulle veil.
image: @beautiful.royals
As a finishing touch, Camilla wore an heirloom diamond and pearl-encrusted Boucheron tiara, which has been in the Marlborough family since 1895. The tiara was originally a wedding gift to Consuelo Vanderbilt, who was known as “the Dollar Princess,” gifted by her father. Consuelo wore the tiara in 1921, when she married the 9th Duke.
