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