French Lacemaker Sophie Hallette Makes the Cut on Kate Middleton's Wedding Dress

CAUDRY, France, June 8, 2011 -

- Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen Chooses Sophie Hallette Lace for
Royal Gown

After much anticipation across the globe, the wedding gown of
the century was finally unveiled and it was a vision of modern British
splendor, with a French touch.

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Kate Middleton, the new Duchess of Cambridge, wore a gown
designed by Sarah Burton, the Artistic Director at Alexander McQueen. Made of
white and ivory satin gazar and designed to emulate an opening flower, the
gown featured a lace adorned bodice inspired by Victorian corsetry - a
classic McQueen reference, a plunging neckline, long sleeves, and a train of
more than nine cascading feet. A truly extraordinary lace was needed to exalt
the dress and in a symbolic nod to time-honored traditions, Burton and the
newest member of the monarchy chose Sophie Hallette, the renown French
company that has been making lace since 1887.

"Everybody from the factory floor to the designers was
thrilled when the news spread that our lace was on the dress," said Romain
Lescroart, CEO of Sophie Hallette. "Our laces have adorned haute couture
creations and luxury goods worldwide for 127 years, but this certainly marks
a crowning achievement in our history for which we draw great pride."

The Sophie Hallette lace selected by Burton is an exclusive
model designed in 1958 and was manufactured on artisanal looms that are more
than 100 years old. The roses, daffodils and shamrocks of the particularly
dainty floral motif were cut out from the original lace and hand-sewn onto
the silk tulle of the décolleté, sleeves and train by the Royal School of
Needlework at Hampton Court Palace, using a Carrickmacross lace-making
technique, which originates from 1820's Ireland.

About Sophie Hallette

Based in Caudry, France and family-run for three generations
since its founding in 1887, Sophie Hallette sets the world standard for
high-quality lace craftsmanship. Manufactured respecting traditional methods
on Leavers looms more than 100 years old and maintained by craftsmen whose
know-how is unique in the world, Sophie Hallette laces are a staple of the
most famous brands in haute couture and luxury goods including: Chanel, Louis
Vuitton, Christian Dior, Zuhair Murad, Basil Soda, Elie Saab, Nina
Ricci,Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Bottega Veneta, Valentino, Brioni,
Fendi, Lanvin and Givenchy among others.

For more information, please visit www.sophiehallette.com

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Press contact: Media agent, Sonia Lemagnen, sonia.lemagnen at noos.fr, Tel : +33684984187