Sunday, August 7, 2011
Royal Fashion Minute: Countess Matilde Borromeo and Prince Antonius von Fürstenberg Wedding
Italo-German Royals Unite
Almost two months ago--in early June--a "royal" Wedding took place that well, got lost amongst all them other BIG Royal Weddings (William and Kate, Albert and Charlene): Countess Matilde Borromeo married Prince Antonius von Fürstenberg. They have been dating for a while and were known as the "Couple-About-Town" in all the Euro Social Circles. In addition, they have both just landed themselves in Vanity Fair's 2011 International Best-Dressed List (yes, they have STYLE and FAB P.R. agents to boot!).
The bride, Countess Matilde Borromeo, wore a silk satin Empire-cut gown from Valentino Haute Couture. No one mentioned this at the time of the wedding but it was hard to not miss a slight "baby bump" protruding from her tummy area. The gown had a slight train with a curved seam and gathered ruffle. The top section featured silk bias-binding with pearl accents looped detail, very reminiscent of...
This coat-dress from Valentino Haute Couture Spring 2011, also worn by...
The wedding took place in Isola Bella on Lago Maggiore, one of many islands the bride's family actually owns. In case you were wondering about HER family, the Borromeo's, they are from Milan. A true dynasty, the Borromeos trace their origins to the 15th century, when Vitaliano I, treasurer to the Duke of Milan, began amassing a fortune and accumulating enormous amounts of property. For the better part of the 16th century, a large chunk of what is now North Central Italy was known as the Borromeo State, and the family had full political and military power.
In the center of this fiefdom, Lago Maggiore is not only geographically strategic—wedged between the Alps and Lombardy—but also breathtakingly beautiful, with azure waters and lush vegetation surrounded by snowcapped peaks.
Prince Antonius and Princess Maximiliane Windisch-Graetz (his mommy). She belongs to the Italian branch of Windisch-Graetz dynasty and is the sister of Mariano Hugo, who is married to the Archduchess Sophie of Austria. The Windisch-Graetz is a princely family in the Austrian Empire serving the Habsburg dynasty
Illustrious Guests:
Pierre Casiraghi, incidentally is dating one of the bride's sisters, the very pretty Beatrice Borromeo, seen above at the wedding of his uncle, Prince Albert II of Monaco to Charlene Wittstock.
The two other Borromeo sisters--and their respective husbands and children: (Left) Isabella Borromeo...
In Valentino Haute Couture Spring 2011, above--and her husband Ugo Brachetti Peretti and their children; Lavinia Borromeo and John Elkann and their children, Oceano and Leone (right).
Carlo Borromeo (bride's brother) with his fiance, the very stylish Marta Ferri--as well as the bride's dog Jack, who was a "very special guest" of the wedding.
Printed Guests (Left to right): Italian industrialist and manager of Fiat brand promotion, Lapo Elkann and his girlfriend, socialite/model/actress Bianca Brandolini d'Adda, Supermodel Eva Herzigova and Heiress Tatiana Santo Domingo, girlfriend to Andrea Casiraghi of Monaco.
Other notable guests included:
Georgina Brandolini d'Adda and Vogue Italia Editor-in-Chief Franca Sozzani...