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Aug 5, 2011
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UK store plans cut-price Pippa Middleton dress

By
AFP
Published
Aug 5, 2011

August 5 - A copy of Pippa Middleton's bridesmaid dress at her sister Kate's wedding to Prince William is to go on sale in Britain, at about a 100th of the cost of the original, a store said Thursday.

Pippa Middleton
Pippa Middleton, Kate's sister - photo: afp

Middleton, 27, almost stole the show on her elder sister's big day in April, wowing a global television audience of some two billion viewers as she arrived at Westminster Abbey in a figure-hugging white Alexander McQueen dress.

Her stunning appearance sparked an Internet frenzy, with the Facebook group "Pippa Middleton Ass Appreciation Society" attracting almost a quarter of a million fans.

Now Britons seeking to add a bit of royal wedding sparkle to their lives are in luck -- department store Debenhams has announced that from September it will be selling a cut-price gown inspired by Middleton's dress.

The original reportedly cost around £20,000 ($32,600, 23,000 euros) but the replica will retail for just £170, said Debenhams, which has branches across Britain.

The store said it has been inundated with requests for dresses modelled on those at the royal wedding, with demand for Middleton's gown even outstripping interest in the dress worn by her sister, now known as Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge.

"Both men and women everywhere were instantly talking about Pippa, so naturally brides-to-be will want to emulate her classic look -- both for themselves or their bridesmaids," said Alain Mehada, chief personal shopper at Debenhams branch on London's Oxford Street.

Debenhams also plans to sell a replica of the emerald green evening gown worn by Pippa Middleton at the evening party for £99, and a flower girl dress which will retail at between £48 and £52. Both will go on sale later this year.

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