As the world waits to see Meghan Markle's wedding dress, an Australian design duo could be busy at work on the gown which will shape bridal trends for years to come.
Australian-born, London-based designers Tamara Ralph and Michael Russo of Ralph & Russo are rumoured to be creating Meghan's wedding dress for her May 19 nuptials to Prince Harry.
Speculation is fuelled by the fact the duo was responsible for the tiered tulle skirt and sheer-beaded bodice worn by Meghan in the couple's engagement photo shoot.
The outfit was estimated to cost more than A$90,000 and was considered a bold, high-fashion choice.
"It wasn't a royal engagement shoot like we've seen it before, it was almost as if they had stepped out of the pages of Vogue," Australian celebrity stylist Lana Wilkinson told AAP.
"It really set the tone for what we're going to see on the wedding day."
On March 20, the UK arm of bookmakers Ladbrokes announced they had suspended bets on who would design Meghan's dress after a deluge of bets on Ralph & Russo.
Before bets were suspended, the designers were 1-3 favourites.
Ralph & Russo are renowned for their feminine, candy-coloured gowns which feature frothy full skirts, plenty of embellishment and on occasion, thigh-high slits and plunging necklines.
They count Kylie Minogue, Angelina Jolie, Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez and supermodels Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid as loyal customers.
Ms Wilkinson said her money was on the design duo to create a trend-setting gown.
"It will be a dress that starts trends and shapes the fashion industry for the next 12-24 months," she said.
"And for the brand, it will be brand-changing."
Other design contenders include Alexander McQueen, whose creative director Sarah Burton designed the Duchess of Cambridge's lace wedding dress in 2011, British heritage label Burberry, Roland Mouret and Victoria Beckham.
A symbolic choice could be Canadian-born, London-based designer Erdem Moralioglu, whose dresses Meghan has worn for years while living and working as an actress in Toronto.
The favourites remain tight-lipped.
"I'm afraid that we will politely be declining to comment on this subject," a Ralph & Russo spokeswoman said in a statement to AAP.
Australian Associated Press
