Here's why Kate Middleton’s gown was a Royal flop for dress retailers

Being a member of the royal family or a Hollywood celebrity does not mean automatic success in the fashion world.

New York Post reported that the Duchess of Cambridge Catherine’s wedding gown was a flop when it debuted in the retail market.

Prince William and Kate Middleton had a fairy-tale wedding in 2011. However, the same cannot be told about her wedding gown-inspired designs at retail

Jim Resh, owner of J&B Bridals in Chambersburg, Pa, said, “I could not tell you it was a hot number. We sold under 10 of those dresses.”

The experts believe that the problem with the dress was that it was not ‘sexy.’

Wedding gown designer Madeline Gardner said that Kate’s dress was not appealing enough because she had to follow a Royal tradition and stand in front of the crown.

Gardner, whose replica of the Duchess’ dress was priced at about $1,300, makes gowns for New York-based Morilee.

She revealed that she sold just 200 gowns, a lackluster response when compared to some other popular designs which can easily sell over 30,000 gowns.

Some dresses worn by Hollywood stars too may not guarantee retail success. Kristen Stewart’s dress that she worn as Bella Swan in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part I, did not garner much interest either.

The movie released a few months after Kate’s wedding in April 2011.

The crepe satin gown, designed by Caroline Herrera, was replicated by many designers. The bridal dress company Alfred Angelo’s version sold for $799.

Madison Debany of RK Bridal informed that though every other manufacturer came out with a copy of the dress, it was a flop.

The $32-billion wedding dress market is now hoping that the soon-to-be bride, Meghan Markle’s wedding gown becomes a trend-setter and sparks an upward trend in the sales.

Markle is set to tie the knot to Middleton’s brother-in-law, Prince Harry, on May 19. Reports suggest that about a billion people will tune in to watch one of the most awaited weddings of the year.

Included in the audience will be scores of wedding gown designers and the Markle-inspired designs could be completed and emailed to factories before the end of the ceremony.