Kitty purrs in 5 designer gowns as she ties knot with SA tycoon

THE venue was a 17th century Villa with breathtaking views of Rome.

The guests were celebrities, models and millionaires. The wedding gown, one of five, was a Dolce and Gabbana Alta Moda couture original.

The occasion: the wedding ceremony of Lady Kitty Spencer and millionaire Michael Lewis.

Spencer, niece of Princess Diana, and South African-born fashion tycoon Lewis tied the knot at the Villa Aldobrandini, a mansion just outside Rome last weekend.

The ceremony took place in the garden of the classic Italian-style mansion that dates back to 1566 and once belonged to the Vatican. It was owned by Pope Clement VIII in 1600.

The R400 000-a-day villa houses important art works by the greats such as Carracci, Raphael and Bellini.

It was once the original home of a famous Roman painting of a wedding scene, the Aldobrandini Wedding, which is now housed in the Vatican Museums.

Therefore it’s no surprise that it has long been a popular venue for high society brides.

Situated on one of Rome’s seven hills the wedding guests had the chance to enjoy the spectacular panoramic views of the Eternal City.

Even though Spencer’s cousins the dukes of Cambridge and Sussex and their spouses were not in attendance, the guest list included prominent figures such as Pixie Lott, Viscountess Emma Weymouth, Jade Holland Cooper, Mark Vandelli, model Marpessa Hennink and Sabrina Elba.

On her big day the bride, who’s the daughter of Earl Spencer and his first wife Victoria Lockwood, dazzled in a series of Dolce and Gabbana gowns.

The blushing 30-year-old walked down the aisle wearing a high-neck, long-sleeve gown with intricate floral lace design which featured a corseted bodice, puffed shoulders and a dramatic cathedral-length veil.

The wedding gown, which was created between Dolce and Gabbana’s embroidery factory and their Milan atelier, took around six months to create. Spencer only had four fittings to get the dress right.

“They’ve been beautiful and emotional moments,” the designers told The Tatler, which have resulted in “a dream made of fabrics”.

“One of the inspirations is her love for Italy. Kitty is in love with our beautiful country and its rich history, art and culture,” said Domenico Dolce.

“But she is also a girl who is very attached to her origins, to England; to her heritage of the great Victorian era. And like all the English people, she has a great passion for all kinds of flowers,” added Stefano Gabbana.

“For the main dress she wanted to keep a fairly traditional, clean cut, but at the same time she desired to have a timeless allure,” said Gabbana.

“It was all very natural and authentic. Lady Kitty Spencer described to us her dream dress, and we have tried to interpret her wishes. We worked together!” said Dolce.

While the wedding gown was the obvious highlight of the day, Spencer wore four other gorgeous Dolce and Gabbana gowns on the day.

On the eve of her nuptials, she opted for a baby-blue soft tulle strapless gown with matching cape with cross-stitched pink and green floral embroidery.

After the ceremony, at dinner, Spencer swopped her elegant wedding gown for something a little more fabulous and flamboyant. A handpainted cream organza off-the-shoulder gown embellished with flowers and crystals.

Before hitting the dance floor she slipped into a perfect party dress. A fully beaded mini in glittering silvers and golds.

On Sunday the newlywed opted for refined elegance in a silk dress embellished with sequins, ribbons and tiny floral embroideries.