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It’s Singapore’s Raoul For Kate’s Afternoon & Erdem For Evening Reception

Kate made two more changes of clothing today, sporting separates by Singapore’s Raoul this afternoon.

After this morning’s activities, the Duke and Duchess visited Queenstown, the first government housing estate built in Singapore, it is named after Her Majesty.

Kate again acknowledged the Jubilee Tour host country by wearing a brand based in Singapore.

Rebecca English/The Daily Mail Twitter

Raoul is a label we predicted/hoped Kate would wear, it embodies so many design elements she favors: clean, classic lines, minimal “frou-frou” or distractions, timeless styles. Kate wore pieces made exclusively for Matches Fashion, the silk “Tara” top and matching skirt.

Raoul Exclusively at Matches.Fashion

The top sold for $221, it is described this way:

“a red and black cube heart print is reminiscent of vintage 70s styling…”

The skirt was $300, here is that description:

“…ivory silk print pleated skirt by Raoul puts a retro-cool slant on ladylike new-season dressing. This ivory silk knee-length pleated skirt has a mid-rise, a red and black cube print and a black waistband with a hidden side zip fastening.

Raoul at MatchesFashion.com

As one would expect, both pieces are now sold out and unavailable.

The brand is a good one for Kate, this is a simple, refined look that worked well for the afternoon events. More about the label from Refinery 29‘s story “Singaporean Label Raoul is About To Take Over The World“:

Singaporean label RAOUL might not be a household name just yet, but it definitely deserves to be. Nearly 10 years old, RAOUL is the beautiful child of Douglas and Odile Benjamin, and grew from a menswear shirting company to two full ready-to-wear labels for men and women.

With a bit more information about the afternoon’s events, the Daily Mail:

And, as the pair made their way through an upmarket housing estate in Queenstown, a thousand camera phones emerged from handbags and pockets to capture the historic moment.

Despite it being a steamy 36 degrees, both Kate and William looked unflustered as they shook hands and posed for pictures with the crowd who were waving Union flags and carrying ‘Kate is great’ banners.

Rebecca English, whose story we quote from above, shared this picture of Kate meeting a young admirer.

Rebecca English/The Daily Mail Twitter

Kate and William seemed to be in their element, enjoying their duties despite the heat, described as “searing” by several UK journalists.

Another photo by Rebecca English.

Rebecca English/The Daily Mail Twitter Feed

Kate brought back her trusty LK Bennett Sledges and reprised the Annoushka pearl drop earrings.

Kate and William proceeded to their next engagement, a visit to Rainbow Center, a school and community center for children with special needs. The Center is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, students were eager to see the Duke and Duchess.

xinmsn News Twitter Feed

The Duchess being welcomed on stage. 

Kate took part in an art class with children, while William did physical educational activities with the kids.

UK in Singapore Facebook

The Duchess with a student. 

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Kate and William returned to their hotel before heading out for tonight’s reception at Eden Hall, the British High Commissioner’s residence.

Kate changed again, this time donning Erdem, a modified version of a piece from the designer’s spring collection.

Tonight’s event included prominent Singaporeans, as well as members of the British and international expatriate communities.

Kate has demonstrated her fondness for Erdem, wearing two dresses by the designer on last year’s Royal Tour of North America. Below, the Cecile.

And the Jacquinta from that Tour.

Kate also wore bespoke Erdem for this year’s Trooping the Colour ceremonies.

There were several Team Singapore Paralympians just back from London at the gala, below we see Prince William greeting Laurentia Tan, a Paralympic equestrienne.

UK in Singapore Twitter

The couple during a toast.

Richard Palmer of the Daily Express shared details on Twitter about the dress, as provided by St. James’s Palace:

“… chiffon Erdem outift as blue and white with red detail, Oriental styling… a pleated skirt, exposed back and loose-fitting sleeves. She is also wearing four-inch beige (does he mean nude?) heels.”

It is an altered version of the Meryl dress from the spring/summer 2012 collection.

The bodice is lined, and sheer, flyaway sleeves have been added in deference to local custom and protocol.

Kate accessorized with a pair of suede heels, the LK Bennett Harper in light taupe.

LK Bennett ‘Harper’ Shoe

The shoe has a concealed platform, its heel height is almost 4-1/2″, it retails at £195, about $315 at today’s exchange rates.

The Duchess also carried a grey clutch we’ve not previously seen.

UPDATE: The bag is believed to be another box clutch by Alexander McQueen. 

And we saw a new pair of earrings as well, My Small Obsessions thinks they are a different version of these Kiki McDonough gemstone and Diamond Earrings, I tend to agree with her.

Kiki McDonough/Press Association

UPDATE: Upon a closer look, these do not appear to be by Kiki McDonough.

 All three of today’s looks were excellent, I enjoy seeing Kate wearing local designers along with safer, more familiar labels. Hopefully, we’ll see more new names, possibilities in Malaysia include Zang Toi, my friend Wendy Brandes introduced me to his work years ago, or perhaps we’ll see something by Bernard Chandran.

We’ll leave you with a look at today’s three ensembles and tomorrow’s itinerary: the white Alexander McQueen broderie anglaise seen this morning, Raoul separates and Erdem.

Here is a look ahead at tomorrow’s schedule (tonight’s actually, it is already the 13th in Singapore.)

  • 9:30AM (9:30PM EDT): The day begins with a visit to Kranji Commonwealth War Cemetery, there is a wreath laying at the War Memorial in the Cemetery and the couple will meet veterans and active military from Singapore, Britain, Australia and New Zealand armed forces
  • William and Kate leave Singapore, boarding a scheduled flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where they will be met at the International airport
  • The pair’s first engagement is a lunch hosted by the Prime Minister Dato Sri Najib Tun Razak at Seri Perdanaat, his official residence. The lunch will include a musical performance by young people
  • Following lunch Kate and William visit Hospis Malaysia, this is where the Duchess will give a short speech to patients and staff, ‘drawing on her own growing experience of the hospice movement in the United Kingdom.’
  • Thursday evening the Duke & Duchess attend an official dinner given by His Majesty The Agong at his official residence, the Istana Negara

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CYLOW

Thursday 13th of September 2012

Jimmy Choo is a Malaysian, not a Singaporean!

admin

Thursday 13th of September 2012

Thank you so much for pointing out the error, I have corrected the copy. :)

Elizabeth Grant

Thursday 13th of September 2012

I absolutely love these pieces! They are so different, yet so similar (if that makes sense haha). I am really surprised she hasn't pulled her hair back considering the heat, then again, I have long hair myself and often if you are in extreme heat with humidity you can tell even more with your hair up. I am sure Kate did not want tons of pictures of her with a sweaty neck and wet curly hair around her face. It's strange seeing her dresses with such long hemlines, but I am sure that is due to the local custom of dress. Again, I think she really did a great job with her choices, especially with the first outfit being a local designer :) (Its nice to see a different pair of Sledges)

apsutter

Thursday 13th of September 2012

I wish that she would wear her hair up more often. I'm sick of seeing those fat sausage curls hanging in her face all the time. She's 30 years old and in an official position now, they need to make her look more sophisticated and put it up more. Plus it's boiling hot there and I can't imagine that she's comfortable with all the hair.

Mia

Thursday 13th of September 2012

My words, my words!

Jayne

Wednesday 12th of September 2012

Two solid choices here. Someone mentioned that her style seems rather drab and bland, not exciting or daring enough. I think people really need to consider first of all that she never dressed excessively daring BEFORE she became the wife of the heir to the heir to the throne. Her style was and is of the upper-class young woman of great wealth, conservative, classy and understated. Now that she's married into the royal family and is a member of the "inner circle," that style is expected to be even more conservative. These two ensembles are among the best, so far, of the trip in my opinion. It would be interesting to know if she is using or does have a stylist (I remember reports that Princess Diana received wardrobe advice from British Vogue early on in her marriage) now. I can't put my finger on it but there's something about so many of her outfits these days that seems to be the work of a stylist. It just seemed like she did better with the outfits before the marriage and in the early days of the marriage. The clothes she wore on the Canada/US trip were outstanding.

Heather

Saturday 15th of September 2012

I've read several times that she is still styling herself.

Sofia

Thursday 13th of September 2012

Again Jayne ...very true

ME

Wednesday 12th of September 2012

I love these gowns on the Duchess - they are so lovely and light. I would like to see them attend more functions in support of the elderly - I often think they are a neglected demographic with unmet needs. The attention from a young Royal couple could be very helpful.

Justine

Thursday 13th of September 2012

I agree that their focus on youth and youth only is starting to be a little predictable.

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