Here is information on Camilla's dress as well as other touches on this special day for Charles and Camilla.
This was originally posted at the Glittering Royal Events MB, by Ademar I believe.
MRS PARKER BOWLES’ WEDDING OUTFIT
Outfit
Mrs Parker Bowles wears an oyster silk basket-weave coat with herringbone stitch embroidery and a chiffon dress with appliqué woven lacquered disc detail. The design team, Robinson Valentine, wanted a crisp clean look with subtle detailing for the ceremony at Windsor Guildhall. To achieve this, the designer team used two fabrics with very different textures. The lacquered discs were made in Switzerland to Robinson Valentine’s specifications while the hand worked herringbone detail on the coat was embroidered in-house using silk thread. The garment is hand finished.
Work on the outfit started on 21st February and continued until the final fitting on Tuesday 5th April. There were two initial meetings followed by eight fittings.
Designer Biography
Robinson Valentine was established in 1986 by Antonia Robinson and Anna Valentine who had met on a pattern-cutting course. Their ethos is to create clothes that capture the mood of the moment and are also timeless; quality and attention to detail are of the utmost of importance.
In 1990 they launched their first collection from a small studio in Wandsworth. The going away outfit they made for Serena Linley in 1993 brought them into the public eye and extended their client base. In 2001 the company opened a showroom in Kensington to display the RV collection and the made-to-order accessory range which includes shoes, handbags, knitwear, millinery and jewellery. In 2002 Robinson Valentine launched a wedding dress collection.
Anna Valentine has been designing outfits for Mrs Parker Bowles for the last four years and in February 2005 she was thrilled to be asked to make the outfit for her wedding to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.
Shoes
Mrs Parker Bowles wears an elegant court shoe in pale beige suede, with an almond toe and a 5 cm heel.
Linda Bennett, designer and founder of LK Bennett, is known for her elegant and wearable designs. The LK Bennett signature style of directional design runs through all the collections.
Linda opened her first store in Wimbledon village in 1990 selling shoes and accessories. Trained in footwear design at Cordwainers College in Hackney, Linda gained experience in the design studio of Robert Clergerie in France. She started out with a handbag label, selling to stores such as Harvey Nichols, before setting up her first store. Fifteen years on, there are 50 LK Bennett stores offering women glamour with stylish shoes, clothing and accessories designed to bridge the gap between designer and high street.
Hat
Mrs Parker Bowles wears a natural straw hat overlaid with ivory French lace and trimmed with a graphic fountain of feathers, designed by Philip Treacy.
Philip Treacy was born in Ireland in 1967. He started sewing at the age of five and moved to Dublin in 1985 to study fashion at the National College of Art & Design, making hats as a hobby. In 1988 Philip Treacy won a place on the MA fashion design course at the Royal College of Art in London, graduating with first class honours in 1990.
He set up a workshop in the basement of Issy and Detmar Blow’s house on Elizabeth Street Belgravia. Philip went on to design hats for Lagerfeld at Chanel for ten years. The first hat he designed was the twisted birdcage, worn on the cover of British Vogue by Linda Evangelista. Philip won his first British Fashion Council award as British Accessory Designer of the year and second award in 1992. The following year he staged his first fashion show in London and opened his first shop at 69 Elizabeth Street.
Bag
The handbag is an ‘East/West’ clutch bag made from embossed calf leather, lined with suede and made with a half flap. The inside is imprinted with the Launer name and Royal Warrant and also includes a matching coin purse and leather covered mirror.
Hair
Mrs Parker Bowles’ hair is prepared by Hugh Green of Hugh and Stephen, based at Ebury Road, London.
Mr Green was born in Portsmouth in 1945. He moved to London at 18 and trained at the Richard Henry Academy, later working in the flagship store. Mr Green set up his own business in 1976 and currently works with fellow hairstylist Stephen Casali.
Mr Green has been styling Mrs Parker Bowles’ hair on special occasions for nearly two years.
Make-up
Mrs Parker Bowles’ make-up is by Julia B.
WEDDING RINGS
The wedding rings were hand made in court style by Wartski, using Welsh gold supplied by Cambrian Goldfields Limited. The gold used was from the Clogau St. David's mine and the river Mawdach in the Kings Forest, where it was recovered from deep pools using sub-aqua equipment. It was then refined and alloyed to pass
22ct. gold standard and hallmarked at the London Assay Office.
Wartski is a family owned firm of art and antique dealers, specialising in fine jewellery, gold boxes and works by Fabergé. The firm was founded in North Wales in 1865 by Morris Wartski, maternal great-grandfather of the present day Chairman. The two branches of the firm in Wales were augmented by a third in London, opened by Emanuel Snowman, the son in law of Morris Wartski in 1911.
The business thrived under the patronage of King Edward VII and a colourful clientele including the Marquis of Anglesey known as the 'dancing Marquis' with his penchant for emerald set ping-pong shirts.
FLOWERS IN THE GUILDHALL
In the Guildhall
There will be growing jasmine plants in the hall as guests arrive. The flowers in the Ascot Room for the Civil Ceremony have been cut from the gardens at Highgrove and Raymill. Bunches of Lily of the Valley - a favourite of both His Royal Highness and Mrs Parker Bowles – will also decorate the room. Traditionally, Lily of the Valley symbolise the return of happiness.
At the request of Mrs Parker Bowles, all flowers and plants will be donated to local hospices.
Biography of the Florist, Shane Connolly
Mrs Parker Bowles worked closely with Shane Connolly of Shane Connolly Flowers Ltd for the flowers and arrangements. Shane works from a studio in West London and has a varied list of clientele such as the Royal Academy of Arts and the V&A Museum. Shane has also worked privately with many individuals including The Prince of Wales, for whom Shane has worked for several years.
Shane’s interest in flowers began in his childhood with a passion for gardening. He specialises in working with English and garden flowers and over the last five years has published three books on flowers and floral arrangements.
