Royal wedding calls for a lace comeback

Many Kiwi brides would have turned up their noses at long-laced sleeves for their wedding dress a week ago.

But the Duchess of Cambridge has changed the way women want to look on their big day.

Leading designers have been overwhelmed at a surge in interest for lace since Kate wore a French-laced bodice.

Designer Jane Yeh said she had received many inquiries in the past week and one client wanted to change her design. "She wanted long sleeves and a lace jacket to go with a strapless dress - before [the wedding] she didn't want long sleeves."

Yeh said the old-fashioned style would have an impact on Kiwi brides, but believed long sleeves were best-suited for church weddings.

Designer Sera Lilly rejected a client who wanted a replica of the gown. "I said 'no'. I'm an original designer so I wouldn't do that," Lilly said.