Penny Lancaster, the esteemed model and television personality, has extended a deeply personal family blessing to Mell-Nicole Ratto, the new girlfriend of her son, Alastair Stewart. This significant gesture involved lending her own cherished wedding gown, a dress she wore nearly two decades ago during her marriage celebration to the iconic musician Sir Rod Stewart.
Mell-Nicole, a 22-year-old law student from California, recently showcased the exquisite vintage attire during a vacation in Spain. The backless, intricately embellished mini-dress was captured in a series of elegant photographs, posted on Instagram, where Penny herself expressed admiration, noting how beautiful Mell-Nicole looked and playfully adding that the dress no longer fit her. Mell-Nicole's affectionate response, calling Penny her "fairy godmother," underscored the warmth and acceptance within the family.
The dress holds a special place in Penny's history, having been worn in August 2007 for her wedding dinner party at London's InterContinental Hotel, following her official marriage ceremony to Sir Rod in Italy two months prior. The distinctive design features a plunging back, ornate straps, and sparkling silver and white embellishments. While Penny paired it with silver heels years ago, Mell-Nicole opted for white pointed stilettos, adding her contemporary flair to the timeless piece.
This gesture of sharing such a meaningful item highlights the growing seriousness of Mell-Nicole's relationship with Alastair. Her integration into the Stewart family extends beyond this, as she recently joined them on a boat excursion in Ibiza, further solidifying her place within their close-knit circle. Alastair, aged 20, is the elder of Penny's two sons with Rod, his younger brother being 15-year-old Aiden Stewart.
Alastair has ventured into the world of modeling, following in his mother's footsteps, and has previously secured a campaign with the Italian fashion brand Palm Angels. However, he has since shifted his academic focus, leaving a fashion degree program at the JCA London Fashion Academy to pursue his passion for film. In an interview from May 2025, he revealed his aspirations to enter the film industry, mentioning his work on short plays, scripts, and screenplays.
Mell-Nicole, a fourth-year pre-law undergraduate at the University of California, San Diego, where she specializes in political science, is now part of one of entertainment's most extensive blended families. Sir Rod Stewart is a father to eight children from five different women, with an age range spanning over 45 years. His children include Sarah Streeter, Kimberly and Sean Stewart from his marriage to Alana Stewart, Ruby Stewart from his relationship with Kelly Emberg, and Renee and Liam Stewart from his marriage to Rachel Hunter.
Despite the considerable age differences, Rod's children maintain strong familial ties, often participating in family holidays and public gatherings with their father and Penny. A notable instance was in January 2025, when seven of his eight children traveled to St. Barts to celebrate his 80th birthday. This enduring closeness and the warm reception of Mell-Nicole into their fold further illustrate the unique dynamics of the Stewart family.
