Handicapping the designers

The race is on to find the designer and copy Kate Middleton's wedding gown

Those crafty Brits sure know how to keep a secret.

With only a couple of days to go before the royal wedding, no one has been able to ferret out who's designing Kate Middleton's wedding gown, although rumors are flying.

One thing is for sure: It will be the most copied wedding gown in history.

Already, the giant wedding dress manufacturer JS Collections has announced it will have a knockoff of Middleton's wedding gown on Nordstrom.com by Sunday. Customers can pre-order or inquire about the gown, which is expected to retail at under $1,000 and be available for delivery in August.

Just about every designer mentioned has denied that he or she is designing the gown, which is to be expected (in this case, it's OK to tell a white lie). But a palace source tells US Magazine that the fittings are complete.

The only thing certain is that the designer must be British, which leads to these leading candidates:

1. The Huffington Post reports that little-known designer Sophie Cranston had gotten the nod. Cranston designs for her Libélula label. Middleton wore a vintage-inspired, black velvet dress coat with a diamante clasp designed by Cranston to a friend's wedding in January. Cranston denies she is the one.

2. Almost from the day that Prince William and Middleton announced their engagement, Sarah Burton, the lead designer at Alexander McQueen, has been the most mentioned. Burton designed the red gown that Michelle Obama wore to the state dinner for the Chinese premier in January and is known for dreamy couture-quality gowns that leave an impression. I think she would be a great choice. Burton denies she is the one.

3. Stella McCartney has curiously been out of the discussion, which leads some to believe she may be the one. McCartney is the daughter of pop royalty (Paul McCartney is her dad) and she designed Madonna's wedding gown, which, on second thought, might be reason enough to disqualify her from this big assignment.

4. At first Bruce Oldfield seemed liked the odds-on favorite, particularly after Middleton's mother, Carole, and sister, Pippa, were photographed leaving his London boutique. A veteran of the royal scene, he has dressed Queen Elizabeth and was a favorite of Princess Diana. But his look is probably too traditional for a young bride. However, mother of the bride or stepmother of the groom (Camilla Parker Bowles) is not out of the question.

5. Although Catherine Walker died in 2010, her namesake label lives on. Style watchers aren't counting on it, but Middleton might choose the designer's label because it was one of Princess Diana's favorites and would be a poignant tribute to the woman who will be on everyone's mind on Kate and William's wedding day.

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Stepping up

Texas bootmaker strikes a glossy note with the debut of new patent line

Photo courtesy of Miron Crosby

Miron Crosby reimagines its signature Maggie boot in high-gloss patent leather for a polished update.

Cowboy boots are based in tradition, but Miron Crosby continues to find ways to move the conversation forward. The Dallas-based label’s latest release, the Maggie Patent Collection, debuts a new material to its signature lineup while staying true to the workmanship that built its following.

The brand’s best-selling Maggie boot is now available in a high-gloss patent leather. Although the new finish changes the silhouette's tone, delivering a more fashion-forward take on Western footwear, the boot’s structure remains the same.

“Maggie is such a classic, flattering shape, so even when you introduce something like a patent, it still feels timeless at its core,” co-founder Sarah Means Ward tells CultureMap.

When designing the boot, the sisters were careful not to lean into trends. They focused on letting the material enhance the boot rather than redefine it. “We wanted it to feel elevated and refined instead of overly flashy,” says Ward.

Miron Crosby Maggie Patent New colorways Beurre, Sable, and Transformative Teal bring depth and shine to the Maggie Patent lineup.Photo courtesy of Miron Crosby

Texas has strong roots and ideas about Western wear, and introducing patent leather into a heritage category can come with risks. The sisters approached the new collection with a respect for tradition as their foundation.

“The craftsmanship, the construction, the way the boot fits and feels, those elements are non-negotiable,” Duplantis says. “From there, it’s about evolving the design in a way that still feels authentic.”

The look was first tested in 2019 when Miron Crosby worked with Prabal Gurung on a limited run of patent boots for his runway show. That collaboration allowed Miron Crosby to explore new materials, something the brand has continued to build on. With Maggie Patent, that early concept was refined into a boot designed for daily wear, not just for the runway.

“It showed us that something as unexpected as patent leather can feel completely natural in a Western silhouette when it’s approached thoughtfully,” says co-founder Lizzie Means Duplantis.

The collection is available at their River Oaks boutique, in three colorways: Beurre, Sable, and Transformative Teal, which were influenced by materials seen at the 2025 Lineapelle show in Milan.

“The patent leathers had this incredible richness that made us think about color in a different way,” Ward says.

The sisters chose colors that were naturally approachable. Neutral tones like Beurre and Sable are great for everyday wear, while Transformative Teal offers a statement moment. “Some days (our customer) wants something understated, other days she wants something that stands out,” says Duplantis. “This was about giving her both.”

Photo courtesy of Miron Crosby

Miron Crosby reimagines its signature Maggie boot in high-gloss patent leather for a polished update.

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