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Kate In Custom-Made Christopher Kane for Palace Reception & Opening Ceremony

Kate showcased UK designers for today’s Olympic events.

Dominic Lipinski (L) & Michael Kappeler (R)/Press Association Images

The Duchess chose a frock by Scottish-born designer Christopher Kane for the late afternoon reception at Buckingham Palace welcoming Heads of State from all over the world.

The most distinctive feature of the fitted coatdress is the multiple gores front and back, four panels per side. The silk satin piece also has a covered placket down the front, long sleeves, slanted pockets, self-belt, and peak lapels.

Elle magazine has confirmed the dress is a bespoke piece. Our pals at Grazia remind us that Mr. Kane has previously stated he feels Kate should wear more designer clothing and less high street style. More from the Women’s Wear Daily interview with the designer:

Kate Middleton is, of course, on Kane’s list, and while he wouldn’t comment on whether he has been approached by her camp, he is full of praise for her look with one caveat. “It’s a shame she doesn’t wear more designers,” he said. I don’t really like the High Street getting so much of the credit. I understand that there would be an array because you need to relate to so many people in the market, but she is a princess. If I were a princess, I’d be like, “Oh yeah, bring it on.”

That WWD story is from November of last year.

Kate is said to be in nude pumps, we’re speculating they are her go-to pair of LK Bennett Sledge court shoes. She carried a grey suede clutch, we believe it is by Alexander McQueen. The Duchess also sported the same earrings first noticed at the Jubilee Concert back in June. (Our post on that is here.)

Press Association/LK Bennett

My Small Obsessions reports the earrings are by a Kate favorite, Kiki McDonough emailed a response saying they bespoke, crafted of blue topaz and diamonds, and unable for purchase. Diana’s Jewel’s also heard from Kiki McDonough, she was advised the earrings are past season.

Below we see Kate with the President of Mongolia Elbegdorj Tsakhia (left) and Erdene Elbegdorj at the function.

Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

The Telegraph had this to say about what Kate wore:

Fittingly, Kate flew the flag for British couture, opting for an ice-blue eau de nil satin fitted coat dress by home-grown designer Christopher Kane.

It was not the first fashion face-off between the two women. That came more than a year ago, when they met at the Palace during a state visit by the Obamas to London.

Doing her bit for the special relationship again today, the Duchess offered Mrs Obama a warm greeting, giving her a big smile as she shook her hand.

At the reception the Queen spoke of earlier Olympic Games when addressing her guests:

This will be the third London Olympiad; my great-grandfather opened the 1908 Games at White City; my father opened the 1948 Games at Wembley Stadium, and later this evening I will take pleasure in declaring open the 2012 London Olympic Games at Stratford in the east of London.

Her Majesty wore a light blue silk ensemble by Karl Ludwig Rehse and Michelle Obama was in J. Mendel. Following the gathering at the Palace everyone boarded buses for the trip over to the Olympic Stadium.

It was an exciting day all around, London was clearly the place to be for many celebrities. Below, the cast of Downton Abbey as they headed into the stadium tonight, the picture was tweeted by Hugh Bonneville who plays Lord Grantham in the hit series.

Hugh Bonneville Twitter Feed

Below we see inside the Stadium before the start of tonight’s Ceremony, the overarching theme was “Isles of Wonder are brought to life,” the part of the program seen in the image below is titled it is a “Green and Pleasant Land”.

London 2012 Facebook Page

Below, a look at the ceremonies underway via Team USA’s twitter page.

US Olympic Team Twitter

It looks like another dramatic ceremony in this image, another from Team USA’s Twitter feed.

Team USA Twitter Feed

We leave you with the look at David Beckham piloting a boat carrying the Olympic Torch to the Stadium.

Team GB Facebook Page

 

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Me

Tuesday 31st of July 2012

I have been waiting for Kate to wear something by Christopher Kane and THIS is what she goes for?! Ugh. The fabric reminds me of a 90s bridesmaid dress and the style is old. No. Just no.

katefan

Sunday 29th of July 2012

No, not a pretty look in my opinion. I understand that she is 30, but this dress is not understated age-appropriate elegance in my opinion-its just aging, and I detest the color. I think a darker color (maybe navy) would have been nicer.

Georgina

Sunday 29th of July 2012

Kate in the blue reception coat dress seems to be following in the fashion footsteps of Princess Anne. At the torch ceremony, on the other hand, the Zara skinny jeans look inappropriately tight to me, especially for a princess at a public appearance--almost weirdly, aggressively body-hugging. She's over thirty, not sixteen for God's sake, and could/should wear trim stylish business trousers to look right for her working role.

Lottie

Sunday 29th of July 2012

The dress underneath seems to be the same as she wore at the Order of the Garter. The Katherin Hooker Buxton dress no?

Lili

Sunday 29th of July 2012

Yes, that could be the Buxton dress that she previously seemed to be wearing under the gray Hooker coat to last year's Garter event. It's a bit hard to tell: that dress has a little drape at the neck, which you could see under the Hooker coat. The Kane coat obscures the neckline of whatever the Duchess is wearing underneath.

But if it's that dress -- or another dress -- I stand by my terminology. This is a coat, not a coatdress.

Melanie

Sunday 29th of July 2012

my small obessions on facebook is reporting the circular earrings seen on Kate here are KiKi McDonough and they are topaz.

admin

Sunday 29th of July 2012

Hi Melanie, and thanks for reading the blog! I am actually going to include that in tomorrow's blog, I also updated this post. (There are several wonderful jewelry updates made this weekend by Anna, she is remarkable.)Thank you again! :)

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