Clare Waight Keller, the British designer who created Meghan Markle's wedding dress, has left her role as artistic director of Givenchy. The 49-year-old, who joined the French fashion house in 2017 as its first female leader, previously headed Pringle of Scotland and Chloe.
In a statement, Waight Keller said: "As the first woman to be the artistic director of this legendary maison, I feel honoured to have been given the opportunity to cherish its legacy and bring it new life." Under her tenure, Givenchy revived its couture line, with LVMH chairman Sidney Toledano noting that the house "reconnected with the founding values of Hubert de Givenchy and his innate sense of elegance."
Waight Keller's relationship with the Duchess of Sussex extended beyond the wedding. She also dressed Meghan for Ascot, Trooping the Colour, and Remembrance Sunday. In 2018, Meghan presented Waight Keller with the British Designer of the Year award while heavily pregnant, wearing a black off-the-shoulder Givenchy dress.
The wedding dress itself was a sculptured silk tulle design, evoking Audrey Hepburn's gown in Funny Face. Its veil, embroidered with all 53 Commonwealth flowers plus symbols of Kensington Palace and California, was described by Waight Keller as "a vision Meghan and I shared." She added: "As a British designer at a Parisian haute couture house … I am extremely proud of what we’ve accomplished."
Waight Keller's next move is unclear. Givenchy has cancelled its women's pre-spring collection and autumn/winter 2020 couture due to the pandemic.
