Fashion News: Copyright Claims Over Royal Highness’ Wedding Gown

Alexander McQueen, designer of the Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding gown, is now in the midst of a copyright lawsuit filed by a fellow bridal designer who claims the fashion house’s creative director, Sarah Burton, copied her design. The plaintiff, Christine Kendall, a wedding gown designer from Hertfordsdshire filed the lawsuit against the luxury fashion designer in Intellectual Property Enterprise Court in London.

In this lawsuit Kendall claims she showed sketches of the wedding gown to the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton prior to the royal wedding which could have easily been incorporated into Burton’s dress design.

Kendall noted that the royal highness herself is not involved in the case stating, “This claim is not against the Duchess and there is no allegation of wrongdoing against the palace.” A spokesperson of the British royal family stated however, that the Duchess of Cambridge has not seen the sketches as referenced by Kendall.

Sarah Burton created the idea for the designs of the gown in question and a representative for the McQueen fashion house said they were “baffled” over the accusations. Additionally, they mentioned that Kendall contacted them roughly 13 months ago making similar claims. The Alexander McQueen label commented: “We do not know why Ms. Kendall has raised this again, but there are no ifs, buts or maybes here: this claim is ridiculous.”

In an effort to support her claim, Kendall argues that her designs were sent to the British palace nearly five years ago and furthermore, claims that a letter was received in January 2011 thanking her for her designs and stating the royal highness was “most interested” in her sketch.

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