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Bridal Designer Rime Arodaky Says Meghan Markle Was the First Celebrity to Order One of Her Pieces—and It Was a Bridesmaid Dress

Meghan MarkleMeghan Markle and Prince Harry attend Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on December 25, 2017 in King's Lynn, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

It looks like the bride of the year got in early with one particular wedding dress designer, even before her royal romance went public. Back in 2016, Meghan Markle solicited the help of bridal designer Rime Arodaky for presumably an event, making her the first celeb to order a piece by the head of the French fashion brand.

“It was a wow moment,” Arodaky recalled to Coveteur this week. “Her gown was stuck in customs for the day (it was a nude pink bridesmaid dress) and we were so stressed and disappointed.”

While Markle ended up receiving the dress, it was too late for the Suits star to wear the piece in public. “In the end she received it, with many other things we offered her,” Arodaky explained. However, the story took an uplifting turn. “She loved a t-shirt with a written French message saying ‘a la folie,’” Arodaky continued, “and she posted it on Instagram. That t-shirt was posted the same day the news broke about her and Prince Harry and it sold out in an hour!”

The Meghan Effect, similar to Kate Middleton’s global fashion influence, has noticeably become a trend since the star’s engagement to Prince Harry was announced on November 27. For Arodaky, there could potentially be many more upcoming Markle moments.

“She sent me the most elegant and sweet handwritten note saying she will rock every single piece we have sent her when she’s able to,” the designer recalled.

Recently, Arodaky speculated what Markle will wear to her wedding. “Her style is very sleek, a lot of twisted bandeau, clean cuts and knee-length hems,” she told The Knot and others in a release. “So I imagined Meghan’s added freshness to the royal wedding dress.”

Rime Arodaky

Rime Arodaky sketch. Meghan Markle wedding dress. (Courtesy)

Arodaky also provided a sliver of advice to recently engaged brides who will soon go wedding dress shopping. “Don’t go see hundreds of shops or designers,” she advised. “Select only about three designers who feel like you! Don’t go to your fittings with too many people, less is best. Most importantly, trust your gut!”

Markle will wed Prince Harry in May 2018 at St George’s Chapel in Windsor. She recently joined the Queen and the royal family for Christmas service at Sandringham.

About the Author

Esther Lee
Esther Lee
Esther is the Senior News Editor at The Knot. A self-proclaimed pop culture enthusiast, she appreciates a good celebrity interview just as much as she adores Nancy Meyers movies. You can find her kicking off her mornings with barre and a green juice, traveling and exploring new cultures, and rapidly scrolling her feed for the latest and greatest news. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter at @theestherlee.