IN A mountain of royal wedding gossip, it was Kate Middleton's best-kept secret and her bridal designer's biggest challenge – the wedding dress.

When the princess-to-be stepped out of her hotel in her Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen gown, New York-based wedding-dress designer Madeline Gardner for Mori Lee was already starting the pattern for her own version.

Gardner and her team of six created a Kate-inspired dress in less than five hours, taking the prize for the fastest knock-off to become available.

Gold Coast-based boutique Gowns of Elegance is excited about the arrival of Mori Lee's version of the world-famous gown and is already receiving a large number of requests.

“We are the only salon on the Gold Coast that will stock it,” Linda Brewster, owner and founder of Gowns of Elegance, said.

“We're already getting lots of phone calls and emails asking questions about the dress. Brides can be very persistent when they really want a certain style.”

Mrs Brewster said she saw a number of brides requesting celebrity-inspired gowns.

“While all brides are individual, there is always some sort of celebrity inspiration,” Mrs Brewster said.

“I'm sure a number of brides will go for Kate Middleton's look, but will probably change a few things to make it their own.”

Labelled the “dress of the century”, Kate Middleton's Grace Kelly-esque gown is a sharp contrast to Princess Diana's fairy tale gown she wore at her 1981 wedding.

“While many girls loved that style at the time, Kate's simple and elegant gown is more attainable to brides wanting to take inspiration from the style,” Mrs Brewster said.

Gowns of Elegance does not have an exact date for when the dress will arrive in store but is sure to have a lot of excited brides knocking on the door when it does.