Why Kate Middleton And Meghan Markle's Wedding Dressmaker Is Facing Homelessness
Royal weddings are extravagant spectacles filled with pageantry, royal jewels, and a who's who of international celebrity. That said, the one thing the world wants a glimpse of is the bride's wedding gown. Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle's wedding dresses were works of art.
Kate Middleton's wedding dress was designed by Sarah Burton for the Alexander McQueen fashion house. Per Town & Country, Middleton's white gown featured long lace sleeves and a sweetheart bodice with lace appliqué and full ivory skirt of satin gazar and a nearly nine-foot-long train. Clare Waight Keller, the British artistic director for the French fashion house Givenchy, designed Meghan Markle's haute couture wedding dress. The New York Times reported that the minimalist pure white gown featured a boat neck and had three-quarter length sleeves. Markle wore a 16-foot long white silk veil covering her face, which included floral detail representing all 53 countries of the Commonwealth.
One of the details that made both wedding dresses so extraordinary was the embroidery work. British expert embroiderer Chloe Savage worked on both Markle and Middleton's wedding dresses (as per People) — as well as costumes for the Harry Potter films. However, Savage's once-thriving business is now struggling. Continue reading to find out what happened to Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle's wedding dressmaker.
Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle dressmaker's business has been hit hard by COVID-19
Chloe Savage and her business Chloe Savage Embroidery are having an extremely tough go of it due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has had a severely negative impact on the economy. Savage was forced to close down her workshop and let go of her interns after work dried up due to COVID-19. She told The Sunday Times, via The Daily Record, that her situation was made worse when she received no financial support from the British government. "Why is the government persecuting small-business owners? They keep going on about us being the backbone of the recovery, but we won't be there to recover in a few months," she said.
Things are so dire that Savage may end up homeless. As it is, she and her family have had to skimp on food. "It's been horrific," she told People. "We've had all our work literally dry up. My 14-year-old daughter is skipping meals to save on the food budget. The stress is getting to her and she is self-harming too. So, she's now going to Child Mental Health Services (CAMHS) to get support."
Chloe Savage knows that it could be a while before there is a new monarch, so she does not count on any royal business. For the first time, she may be unable to pay her bills, but is hoping that a potential HBO project may help turn things around a bit. Our fingers are crossed for Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle's wedding dressmaker.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, or call the National Alliance on Mental Illness Helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264).