KATE MIDDLETON - TO DRESS A PRINCESS
Theresa Blake and C. M. Rubin
KATE MIDDLETON’S DRESS TO BE REVEALED TOMORROW
C. M. (Catherine) Rubin and Theresa Blake met when they collaborated on a reproduction of the design of the original wedding dress worn by Alice Pleasance Liddell (the Alice behind Wonderland) at her wedding in 1880 in the world reknowned Westminster Abbey in London. An illustration of Alice Liddell’s dress by Theresa Blake was featured in C.M. Rubin’s bestselling book, The Real Alice In Wonderland.
On April 29, 2011, Westminster Abbey will once again be the setting for the most anticipated wedding of the year — the Royal Wedding of Princess Diana’s eldest son, His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales, and Kate (Catherine) Middleton. To honor the event, author C. M. Rubin and designer Theresa Blake joined forces to bring you a series of stories on CMRubinWorld focusing on wedding dresses worn by famous Royal Princesses and Queens over the centuries that continue to inspire wedding dress designers and brides to this day. Who knows? Perhaps one of those historic royal gowns or all of them have already inspired the best kept secret for April 29, 2011 — what will Princess-to-be Kate Middleton be wearing?
To conclude their series, Kate Middleton - To Dress A Princess, Blake and Rubin will reveal tomorrow the dress they believe Kate (Catherine) Middleton should wear on her wedding day.
Kate (Catherine) Middleton
KATE MIDDLETON - TO DRESS A PRINCESS
Princess Elisabeth of Bavaria
On April 29, 2011, Westminster Abbey will be the setting for the most anticipated wedding of the year — the Royal Wedding of His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales and Kate (Catherine) Middleton. To honor the event, author C. M.(Catherine) Rubin and designer Theresa Blake have joined forces to bring you a series of stories which focus on wedding dresses worn by famous Royal Princesses and Queens over the centuries that continue to inspire wedding dress designers and brides to this day. Who knows? Perhaps one of these historic royal gowns has already inspired the best kept secret for April 29, 2011 — what will Princess-to-be Kate Middleton be wearing?
PRINCESS ELISABETH OF BAVARIA - 19th Century by C. M. Rubin and Theresa BlakePrincess Elisabeth of Bavaria (1837 – 1898), Empress of Austria and Queen Consort of Hungary, has inspired filmmakers and theater producers for decades. Her husband and first cousin, Franz Joseph I, Emperor of Austria, selected Elisabeth to be his queen when she was only 15 years old. Elisabeth bore the Emperor four children (Archduchess Sophie, Archduchess Gisela, Crown Prince Rudolf, Archduchess Marie Valerie). The Princess was known for her beauty, her passion for fashion, her 20 inch waist (she followed a strict diet and exercise regimen), and her reputed love affairs. During the course of her life, she faced many tragedies including the death of her oldest child, Sophie, and her only son, Rudolf. The scandal surrounding her son’s suggested murder-suicide with his lover Baroness Mary Vetsera (the scandal was known as the Mayerling Incident), increased public interest in Elisabeth. She spent little time in Austria during the later years of her life when travel to countries all over the world consumed her interest. On September 10, 1898, she was assassinated in Geneva, Switzerland by a young mentally ill anarchist named Luigi Lucheni.
The beautiful wedding gown below, of ivory lace satin and tulle, was inspired by a painting of Elisabeth. It is a reproduction of a classic Victorian court dress - a triple layered lace skirt, scattered with mother of pearl sequins, worn over many petticoats and a crinoline hoop. The velvet train is edged with appliqued details in gold, a theatrical interpretation of the original intricate gold lace. The corseted bodice is encrusted with intricate beaded patterns in crystals, sequins, pearls, and facetted stones, and has layered pearl-edged ribbons at the shoulder.
C. M. Rubin and Theresa Blake met when they collaborated on a reproduction of the design of the original wedding dress worn by Alice Pleasance Liddell (the Alice behind Wonderland) at her wedding in 1880 in the world reknowned Westminster Abbey in London. An illustration of Alice Liddell’s dress was featured in C.M. Rubin’s bestselling book, The Real Alice In Wonderland.
To Dress A Princess
KATE MIDDLETON - TO DRESS A PRINCESS
Queen Consort Marie Antoinette
On April 29, 2011, Westminster Abbey will be the setting for the most anticipated wedding of the year — the Royal Wedding of His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales and Kate (Catherine) Middleton. To honor the event, author C.M. (Catherine) Rubin and designer Theresa Blake have joined forces to bring you a series of stories which focus on wedding dresses worn by famous Royal Princesses and Queens over the centuries that continue to inspire wedding dress designers and brides to this day. Who knows? Perhaps one of these historic royal gowns has already inspired the best kept secret for April 29, 2011 — what will Princess-to-be Kate Middleton be wearing?
QUEEN CONSORT MARIE ANTOINETTE - 18th Century Queens by C. M. Rubin and Theresa Blake
Marie Antoinette (1755-1793) was born in Austria to Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor, and his Austrian Empress, Maria Theresa. She has been called France’s unhappiest queen. She was married off by her mother at age 14 to Louis XVI with the hope that this union might further Austria’s interest in France. Young Marie was poorly educated and unprepared for the dynastic political intrigues that followed. Prudish by nature, she became thoroughly embarrassed by her husband’s widely known failure to have sexual intercourse for several years. Despite this setback, Marie Antoinette still managed to give birth to a daughter, in 1778, and sons in 1781 and 1785. She was a devoted mother. She was also perceived as frivolous and extravagant, with a habit of spending lavishly on fashionable clothes and palaces. After the Bastille was stormed on July 14, 1789, the queen urged her husband to resist the rebels’ reforms, making her very unpopular and leading to the attribution to her of the remark, “Qu’ils mangent de la brioche!” — “Let them eat cake!” The royal couple were forced to move to Paris. After the First French Republic was established in 1792, they were imprisoned by the revolutionaries. Marie Antoinette continued to plot for foreign intervention to end the revolution and free her family. Many attempts to escape failed. Ultimately, Louis XVI was executed in January, 1793. Marie Antoinette is remembered for her dignity and great courage while the Revolution subjected her to horrific brutalities before she was finally executed by the guillotine on October 16 of 1793. Theresa Blake’s stunning eighteenth century style wedding dress below is inspired by Marie Antoinette. It is in cloud pink regal dupion and consistes of a corseted jacket/bodice with a separate skirt worn over pannier supports. The shell pink corseted bodice is ornamented with an eye-catching embroidered and beaded stomacher panel, and finishes in a shaped and pleated peplum, embroidered and edged in antique lace. The bodice is laced at the back to achieve a corset-like finish. It has fitted elbow-length sleeves ending in large, romantic cuffs with lace sleeve flounces. The skirt has an open front to show off the beautiful scrolling floral embroidery and draped panniers, again edged in lace. C. M. Rubin and Theresa Blake met when they collaborated on a reproduction of the design of the original wedding dress worn by Alice Pleasance Liddell (the Alice behind Wonderland) at her wedding in 1880 in the world reknowned Westminster Abbey in London. An illustration of Alice Liddell’s dress was featured in C.M. Rubin’s bestselling book, The Real Alice In Wonderland. 
To Dress A Princess
KATE MIDDLETON - TO DRESS A PRINCESS
On April 29, 2011, Westminster Abbey will be the setting for the most anticipated wedding of the year — the Royal Wedding of His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales and Kate (Catherine) Middleton. To honor the event, author C.M.Rubin and designer Theresa Blake have joined forces to bring you a series of stories which focus on wedding dresses worn by famous Royal Princesses and Queens over the centuries that continue to inspire wedding dress designers and brides to this day. Who knows? Perhaps one of these historic royal gowns has already inspired the best kept secret for April 29, 2011 — what will Princess-to-be Kate Middleton be wearing?
PRINCESS SABRA AND ST. GEORGE by C.M. Rubin and Theresa Blake
There are many versions of the story of the legend of Princess Sabra and George of Lydda (also known as St. George, patron saint of England). This is one of the popular ones from the 11th century. Princess Sabra was the daughter of the King of Silene (Egypt). George, a crusader, had travelled for many months until he came to Libya. There George met a poor hermit who told him that the land was being terrorized by a dragon. The dragon had demanded that a beautiful maiden be sacrificed by the people every day. The King’s daughter, Princess Sabra, had been selected to be sacrificed the following day. The King of Egypt had offered his daughter’s hand in marriage to any champion who could destroy the terrible dragon. When St. George heard this story, he was determined to try and save the princess, so he rested that night in the hermit’s hut, and at daybreak set out to the valley where the dragon lived. When George drew near, he saw a procession of women, headed by a beautiful girl. It was Princess Sabra being led by her attendants to the place of death. George quickly overtook the ladies. He comforted the princess with brave words and persuaded her to let him intercede. The fearless George entered the valley where he fought the dragon long and hard. At a pivotal point in the battle, he called out to Princess Sabra and asked her to throw him her girdle, which she did. George placed Princess Sabra’s girdle around the dragon’s neck and as he did, the great beast backed down and meekly followed the Princess. After this magnificent conquest of the ferocious dragon, the King and the people rejoiced and soon converted to Christianity. And of course, George married the enchanting Princess Sabra.
The wedding dress below inspired by Princess Sabra was designed by Theresa Blake. It was constructed in a sage green matka silk, cut through in “princess line”. A belt worn at upper hip level helps to achieve the perfect Pre-Raphaelite silhouette. The main body of the gown was created in a unique “rustic” fabric (silk matka) - less glossy than dupion. At the hem, lions rampant, interspersed with pomegranates (a nod towards the famous “Proserpina” painting by Dante Gabriel Rossetti) were appliquéd. The sleeves, fitted quite tightly to upper and lower arm, are slashed at the elbow to reveal a silk underdress. The same false under-chemise detail is at the shoulder to imply the dress beneath. Brown leather thong is used for lacing.
C. M. (Catherine) Rubin and Theresa Blake met when they collaborated on a reproduction of the design of the original wedding dress worn by Alice Pleasance Liddell (the Alice behind Wonderland) at her wedding in 1880 in the world reknowned Westminster Abbey in London. An illustration of Alice Liddell’s dress by Theresa Blake was featured in C.M. Rubin’s bestselling book, The Real Alice In Wonderland.
To Dress A Princess
KATE MIDDLETON - TO DRESS A PRINCESS
Alice Pleasance Liddell
THE REAL ALICE IN WONDERLAND MARRIED AT WESTMINSTER ABBEY By C.M. Rubin and Theresa Blake
On April 29, 2011, Westminster Abbey will be the setting for the most anticipated wedding of the year — the Royal Wedding of His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales and Kate (Catherine) Middleton. To honor the event, author C.M. Rubin and designer Theresa Blake have joined forces to bring you a series of stories which focus on wedding dresses worn by famous Royal Princesses and Queens over the centuries that continue to inspire wedding dress designers and brides to this day. Who knows? Perhaps one of these historic royal gowns has already inspired the best kept secret for April 29, 2011 — what will Princess-to-be Kate Middleton be wearing?
Westminster Abbey is steeped in more than a thousand years of history. Benedictine monks first came to this place in the middle of the tenth century, establishing a tradition of daily worship which continues to this day.
The Abbey houses a treasure of paintings, stained glass, pavements, textiles and other artifacts. Westminster Abbey is also the place where some of the most significant people in Great Britain’s history have been buried, including perhaps the most popular Royal princess of all time, Princess Diana, whose funeral took place at the Abbey on September 6, 1997. Westminster Abbey has been the Royal coronation church since 1066, and is the final resting place of seventeen British monarchs.
Alice Pleasance Liddell (the real Alice in Wonderland) was married in Westminster Abbey on September 15, 1880. Other famous weddings at the Abbey include those of Princess Elizabeth II (later Queen Elizabeth II), Princess Margaret (daughter of George VI), Princess Anne (daughter of Queen Elizabeth II), and Princess Alexandra of Kent. Princess-to-be Kate Middleton will join this celebrated list on April 29, 2011.
C. M. Rubin and Theresa Blake met when they collaborated on a reproduction of the design of the original wedding dress worn by Alice Pleasance Liddell at her wedding in 1880 to Reginal Hargreaves in the Abbey. An illustration of Alice Liddell’s dress was featured in the bestselling book, The Real Alice In Wonderland, by C. M. Rubin and Gabriella Rubin.
Theresa Blake trained at Wimbledon School of Art in period costume design. After helping to design magnificent gowns for major bridal and couture houses in the UK, she formed her own company, Rossetti Couture. Today, Rossetti Couture designs period wedding gowns inspired by historical princesses and theatrical costumes for individuals and prestigious entertainment companies around the world.
C. M. (Catherine) Rubin designs many of her own clothes and is also the author of three best-selling, award winning books, including The Real Alice In Wonderland.
WESTMINSTER ABBEY
KATE MIDDLETON - TO DRESS A PRINCESS
“The Accolade”
PRINCESS ISOLDE OF IRELAND by C. M. Rubin and Theresa Blake
On April 29, 2011, Westminster Abbey will be the setting for the most anticipated wedding of the year — the Royal Wedding of His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales and Kate (Catherine) Middleton. To honor the event, author C.M. Rubin and designer Theresa Blake have joined forces to bring you a series of stories which focus on wedding dresses worn by famous Royal Princesses and Queens over the centuries that continue to inspire wedding dress designers and brides to this day. Who knows? Perhaps one of these historic royal gowns has already inspired the best kept secret for April 29, 2011 — what will Princess-to-be Kate Middleton be wearing?
The legendary love story of Tristan and Princess Isolde takes place in the fifth century during the reign of King Arthur. Princess Isolde of Ireland was the daughter of King Angwish of Ireland. There are several versions of the story behind the legend; here is one of the popular ones. The beautiful Princess Isolde was betrothed to King Mark of Cornwall. King Mark sent his handsome nephew, Tristan, to bring home his bride, the Princess Isolde. However, during the journey back to Cornwall, Tristan and Isolde fall madly in love with each other. Princess Isolde goes ahead and marries King Mark upon arrival in Cornwall but continues to see Tristan. King Mark finds out and banishes Tristan from Cornwall. Tristan moves to King Arthur’s court and later to Brittany where he meets and marries Iseult of Brittany (because of her resemblance to Isolde). Tristan, however, is unable to consummate the marriage because of his strong feelings for his true love, Princess Isolde. Tristan falls ill and sends ships for his beloved Isolde. The returning ship’s white sails are the lovers’ signal that Princess Isolde is coming back to Tristan. Iseult lies to Tristan, telling him that the white sails are black. Tristan dies of grief before Isolde can get to him. Soon after, Isolde too dies of a broken heart.
Theresa Blake’s design for Princess Isolde’s wedding gown, shown below, is inspired by the famous painting, “The Accolade,” by Edmund Blair-Leighton, seen above. The white gown of duchesse satin has a sumptuous, multi-layered chiffon skirt and dramatic, flowing, medieval style, long hanging sleeves. The lightly corseted bodice is laced at the back to emphasize the silhouette. A belt of dazzling jewels and facetted stones surround the Princess’ hips.
C. M. (Catherine) Rubin and Theresa Blake met when they collaborated on a reproduction of the design of the original wedding dress worn by Alice Pleasance Liddell (the Alice behind Wonderland) at her wedding in 1880 in the world reknowned Westminster Abbey in London. An illustration of Alice Liddell’s dress was featured in C.M. Rubin’s bestselling book, The Real Alice In Wonderland.
To Dress A Princess
