French Lacemaker Sophie Hallette Makes the cut on Kate Middleton's Wedding Dress

CAUDRY, France, May 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- After much anticipation across the globe, the wedding gown of the century was finally unveiled and it was a vision of modern British splendor, with a French touch.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20110509/454108-a )

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20110509/454108-b )

Kate Middleton, the new Duchess of Cambridge, wore a gown designed by Sarah Burton, the Artistic Director at Alexander McQueen. Made of white and ivory satin gazar and designed to emulate an opening flower, the gown featured a lace adorned bodice inspired by Victorian corsetry - a classic McQueen reference, a plunging neckline, long sleeves, and a train of more than nine cascading feet. A truly extraordinary lace was needed to exalt the dress and in a symbolic nod to time-honored traditions, Burton and the newest member of the monarchy chose Sophie Hallette, the renown French company that has been making lace since 1887.

"Everybody from the factory floor to the designers was thrilled when the news spread that our lace was on the dress," said Romain Lescroart, CEO of Sophie Hallette. "Our laces have adorned haute couture creations and luxury goods worldwide for 127 years, but this certainly marks a crowning achievement in our history for which we draw great pride."

The Sophie Hallette lace selected by Burton is an exclusive model designed in 1958 and was manufactured on artisanal looms that are more than 100 years old. The roses, daffodils and shamrocks of the particularly dainty floral motif were cut out from the original lace and hand-sewn onto the silk tulle of the decollete, sleeves and train by the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace, using a Carrickmacross lace-making technique, which originates from 1820's Ireland.

While all eyes were on Middleton, others in the Monarchy were also wearing Sophie Hallette. Eugenie of York wore a Vivienne Westwood top encrusted with hand-painted Sophie Hallette lace, and the wife of Willem-Alexander of Holland wore a beige tailleur made entirely of Sophie Hallette lace.

By choosing Sophie Hallette, the royal family honored the tradition of lace-making and the result was a gown fit for a modern princess.

About Sophie Hallette

Based in Caudry, France and family-run for three generations since its founding in 1887, Sophie Hallette sets the world standard for high-quality lace craftsmanship. Manufactured respecting traditional methods on Leavers looms more than 100 years old and maintained by craftsmen whose know-how is unique in the world, Sophie Hallette laces are a staple of the most famous brands in haute couture and luxury goods including: Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, Chloe, Zac Posen, Versace, Dolce Gabbana, Paul Smith, Phillip Lim, Jason Wu, Ralph Lauren, Valentino, Erdem, Antonio Marras, Brioni, and Elie Saab among others.

For more information, please visit http://www.sophiehallette.com

SOURCE Sophie Hallette