Meet the woman who designed Meghan Markle’s wedding dress

Meghan Markle tied the knot in a dress designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy.

All eyes were on Meghan Markle as she walked down the aisle to tie the knot with Prince Harry. Yet, the focus was on the dress she wore – a white, bateau-necked, stiff satin gown that she had picked herself.

The woman behind it is none other than Clare Waight Keller, Givenchy’s first ever artistic director. The British designer had secured this year's most sought-after fashion commission, and managed to keep it under wraps until the big day too!

So, who is Keller? Prior to her appointment at Givenchy, she held a creative directorship at Chloe, where she was praised for her easy 1970s-inspired, feminine aesthetic which was a commercial success.

Keller, 47, first started her career designing for Calvin Klein, then moving to Ralph Lauren, Gucci and Pringle Of Scotland. She joined Givenchy just last year, replacing long-time head of the fashion house, Ricardo Tisci.

While there have been criticisms of how the wedding dress was too simple, Keller has revealed that she and the now Duchess of Sussex worked very closely to create the design.

Clare Waight Keller is Givenchy’s first female artistic director.

Speaking to UK's television channel ITV the morning after, she said Markle "had an idea of what she wanted", aiming for a modern yet fresh design.

The pure lines of the dress was achieved using six seams, with an open neckline being the highlight. With a floor length cut, it had a sculpted waist and a triple-silk organza underskirt.

Clare Waight Keller and Meghan Markle worked closely on the wedding dress design.

"It is truly an honour to have been given the opportunity to closely collaborate with Meghan Markle on such a remarkable occasion," Keller said in a press statement.

"We wanted to create a timeless piece that would emphasise the iconic codes of Givenchy throughout its history, as well as convey modernity through sleek lines and sharp cuts."

Keller added: "In contrast, the delicate floral beauty of the veil was a vision Meghan and I shared, a special gesture embracing the commonwealth flora, ascending the circumference of the silk tulle."

Givenchy is a French fashion house founded by Hubert de Givenchy in 1952. It is revered for breaking fashion codes, yet maintaining qualities of elegance, sophistication and femininity.