Lucia Silver has designed and styled shoots for Jerry Hall, Kate Moss, Dame Helen Mirren and Paloma Faith, and she is now opening her couture and bridal fashion house, The State of Grace, right here in Gloucestershire!
Hot off the high heels of the Royal Wedding and BBC Radio’s interview of Lucia Silver, we also ask the couture designer and stylist a few questions.
For more information visit thestateofgrace.com directly.
Before the wedding, what style of dress did you think Meghan would go for?
I’ve always seen Meghan as poised, pristine and petite and as an American actress to boot, her understated, minimal style, reminded me somewhat of Audrey Hepburn. I could therefore easily imagine her in the clean, immaculately cut lines of Hubert de Givenchy, as he designed most of Hepburn’s on screen dresses.
What was your initial thought when you saw Meghan Markle’s wedding dress?
Like so many of her mindful and meaningful choices made on that day, Meghan’s dress choice was pitch perfect and entirely appropriate for this modern, self-defining moment. It spoke volumes for what she supports and upholds as important.
Ceremony without opulence and romance without fuss. I most loved that it showcased her, rather than the dress itself. This is the most important role of a couturier.
And how about her second dress, which she wore to the reception?
We love halter necks, beautiful backs and strong shoulders at The State of Grace! This dress was a perhaps a twinkle and a wink to those waiting for some movie star red carpet glamour, and Harry towed the line immaculately in his sharp suit and e-type Jaguar.
But again, it’s the delicate and thoughtful details that struck me throughout, in this case the aquamarine ring Meghan wore – Princess Diana’s own ring, a gift from Harry that matched the baby blue soles of her vertiginous heels.
How well do you think Meghan balanced tradition (wearing white/ a veil) with modernity?
Impeccably. But it was so much more than this. It was the extraordinary bridging of old (and obsolete) privileged, monarchical values to those of inclusive, feminist and progressive thinking.
The veil epitomised this. What might have looked at first glance like an exquisitely embroidered gossamer veil of no particular import, was in fact a celebration of each and every one of the 53 countries of the Commonwealth at a particularly relevant time.
How do you think Meghan’s dress will affect current trends?
We may well see a tidal wave of requests for bespoke bateau-necklines to be created at The State of Grace, but more than this, I hope that we see a battalion of brides defining their wedding dress and wedding day on their own terms.
‘Your Design. Your Style. Your Beauty. That’s written above our entrance!
What can current brides-to-be learn from Meghan’s show of female independence?
If Meghan can show courage in the royal fish bowl – and unaccompanied by her father down that huge Cathedral aisle – whilst the eyes of 2 billion scrutinise her every move, then I hope that future brides-to-be are inspired to express what is important to them on their wedding day, no matter what the apparent opposition may be.
And finally, which dress did you personally prefer – Kate Middleton’s or Meghan Markle’s?
We don’t compare women at The State of Grace. It’s like comparing apples and pears and can’t be done. What we see is the difference of circumstance. Kate answered to pomp, patriarchy and pageantry and there was very little opportunity for individual choice or comment, except perhaps for the dress, which was breath-taking.
Meghan (and Harry) enjoyed the greatest privilege of all: Freedom. And it was utilised to awaken and empower her as a modern-day women and bride. She truly was in a State of Grace – and as I say to my brides and clients all the time: ‘True Beauty is Authenticity.’
The State of Grace is by appointment only. To book a consultation, please first email lucia@thestateofgrace or call 07957 324 336.
