18th Apr 2011

Gieves & Hawkes, Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen for Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton

Little birdies in Hub Culture were indicating Gieves & Hawkes and Lib lula Studios as attire picks for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. The picks come at a time of widespread speculation about the pair's choices (especially the bride's) for the big day but in the end it went to Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen.

Sources including the Huffington Post and London's Telegraph had been busy on the news from Yvonne York that Lib lula Studio designer Sophie Cranston, the hot south London designer, has been chosen, but in the end it went to Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen.

Sophie Cranston recently struck out on her own after starting with Alice Temperly and Alexander McQueen, and has long been a South London phenom, featuring in the Middleton wardrobe, among other British notables.

For Prince William, the choice is slightly more obvious: the brand has long produced formal uniforms for the British Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. Gieves & Hawkes received its Royal Appointment in 1771 and continues to supply many aspects of the Royal Services, with all manner of uniforms for different occasions. The brand is hot, and collaborating with Harry's of London on expansions into footwear, among other things.

Prince Charles, and the Duke of Edinburgh wore Gieves & Hawkes for their own weddings, so the main question is whether Prince William will stick to tradition in the Royal Navy uniform (resplendent in a dark Navy) or mix it up with something from one of the other branches of service. Despite being an active member of the Royal Air Force, the drab grey color is not considered a front runner choice.

So that's it, your new ooh-la-la designers of the moment are Sophie Cranston for the dress, and Gieves & Hawkes for the uniform. Naturally, both houses denied to make any statement whatsoever, but the buzz on Sophie, and the fact that Gieves & Hawkes is tomorrow opening a lavishly refurbished Savile Row flagship (amid jockeying for position by Oprah and Barbara Walters) leave little doubt in anyone's mind who will shine on the big day.