A mere 12 hours after Kate Middleton wowed the world with the first glimpse of her Alexander McQueen original, the LA-based fashion house ABS debuted their version of the instantly iconic wedding dress.
The sample — which they modeled on a Middleton lookalike — featured the same telltale plunging V-neck, long sleeves and lace overlay.
“It’s a great dress and it’s going to have a broad-based appeal. It’s a no-frills classic,” said the label’s designer, Allen B. Schwartz.
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Their “inspired” version — Schwartz bristles at the word “knockoff” — will be in stores in a few weeks.
Tuesday, he will be in New York City showing the dress — which likely will sell for less than $800 — to impatient store buyers.
Some 35 ABS staffers spent the day in a frantic whirl of cutting, sewing and tinkering with their version of the dress seen and adored by millions of brides-to-be.
Dress designers got an unexpected bonanza yesterday when Middleton’s fetching younger sister also showed up in a dress completely different but instantly coveted by women.
ABS and New York design company Faviana immediately made plans to replicate Philippa “Pippa” Middleton’s slinky gown.