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New Engagements for Kate, Favorite Items Back in Stock & “Obvious” Designers for Royal Tour

We are back with several updates, along with a look at designers that are obvious favorites for Kate to wear on the upcoming tour.

First, the new engagements added to Kate’s Calendar:

  •  Tuesday, Feb. 11: Kate attends a black tie event at the National Portrait Gallery, the annual “Portrait Gala”. Photographer David Bailey, Olympic gold medalist Katherine Grainger and others will also attend the event. Prior to the dinner Kate will attend a private reception.
  • Friday, Feb. 14: In her role as Patron of The Art Room, Kate will officially open The ICAP Art Room at Northolt High School, Ealing, London.

We also have a number of restocking updates to share, beginning with good news for those hoping to buy the Really Wild Clothing Company scarf Kate wore on Christmas Day. The scarf is going to be back in stock in March.RTeally Wild Clothing Company/Spkash News

From Really Wild’s email:

Thank you for joining the waiting list for our Cashmere Mix Wrap in Claret, following The Duchess of Cambridge wearing the item on Christmas Day at Sandringham, and looking elegant.

We are now expecting them to be in stock at the end of March.

Please reply to this email if you would no longer like to be on the waiting list for our Cashmere Mix Wrap in Claret. Otherwise we will be in touch once we have received the wraps and we will put one aside for you.

If so inclined, you may sign up for Really Wild’s newsletter here.

There is also word that the Zara necklace Kate wore to the Mandela film premiere is back in stock again. It remains priced at $39.50.Splash News/Zara

Also, Boston-area Kate fans will now be able to shop at a standalone LK Bennett. The new store at Copley Place is among many other designer labels, including Tiffany, Bally, Dior, and Jimmy Choo.

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We have two items regarding Amanda Wakeley.  The first is that the designer’s new flagship store in Mayfair is now open. The second involves the recent launch of the Atelier collection, described as a semi-bespoke line. More from Amanda Wakeley:

I wanted to offer something unique to my customer… semi bespoke… styles that could be ordered in a choice of colours and embellishments… pieces that have longevity, relevance and my Clean Glam aesthetic… Each dress is named after a powerful woman or Goddess… as that is precisely how I want the wearer to feel…

The Hera Beaded Long Sleeve dress.

Amanda Wakeley

Amanda Wakeley

Prices for these styles run £4,000 – £9,000, or $6,500 – $14,000.  You can see the entire collection here.

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Moving now to designers Kate might wear on the upcoming Tour. There are several brands that might be deemed “no-brainers,” obvious good choices. The two that fall into this category are Emilia Wickstead and Collette Dinnigan; I would expect to see the Duchess wear at least one style from each.

Ms.Dinnigan makes sense for two reasons: 1) the designer was raised in New Zealand & her company is based in Australia; 2) Kate has worn pieces from this brand multiple times. Below left Kate is seen at a book launch in 2007, we believe she wore the same dress to Zara Phillip’s wedding in 2012.  Both Kate and her mother have worn another dress by the designer, you can see photos of Kate in that frock here.SplashNews.com

Below, several looks from Collette Dinnigan’s Resort 2014 collection.

Collette Dinnigan

Here we show pieces from the s/s 2014 “Both Sides Now” collection, all would work for the Duchess. From left to right, Noir Corded Lace Flounce Sleeve frock, the Diamonte Flowers Dress in white, and the Magical Vine Fitted Lace Dress.3 Collette Dinnigan Dresses Both Sides Now 2014 CollectionThese are some of the last Collette Dinnigan pieces to be made, you may recall that in October the designer announced she is closing her business. The Collette by Collette Dinnigan diffusion label will continue to be offered by Australian retailer David Jones will continue to be manufactured.  This is the more youthful, less expensive line.Collette by Collette Dinnigan

There is also every possibility Kate will repeat one of her Collette Dinnigan dresses. One FYI, shipping to the US is not offered by Collette Dinnigan, but Net a Porter stocks the brand. You can also see a list of brick-and-mortar stores in the US that carry Collette Dinnigan, click here for that information.

Our other designer in this group is Emilia Wickstead. She was born in New Zealand, raised in Milan, and now lives in London, where her company is based. We have seen the Duchess wearing multiple pieces from the label, the brand is listed on our Kate’s Favorites page.

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Finally today, something that I think will make you smile.

The Daily Mail

The Daily Mail

Many of you may have already read seen this, but for those who have not, the Daily Mail’s dug up an old video of Kate playing Eliza Doolittle in a school production of My Fair Lady.

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Sandhya

Wednesday 5th of February 2014

Susan, I think you got it mixed up. Kate wore the Colette Dinnigan dress from the book launch not to Zara Philips's wedding, but to Laura Parker Bowles's wedding (with the same jacket) previously, back in 2006, as you can see from the third image here: http://allaboutkatemiddleton.blogspot.in/2011/03/old-school-stylings-kate-middleton-at_01.html

Lili

Wednesday 5th of February 2014

There is reason to believe that the Duchess has generally worn the Dinnigan dress underneath that champagne and gold Day, Birger et Mikkelsen coat. Since she did wear the coat to Zara Phillips' wedding, she might well have had the dress on underneath it.

admin

Wednesday 5th of February 2014

Hello Sandhya, I believe Kate wore the same coat (DAY Birger et Mikkelsen) and Collette Dinnigan dress to both weddings, Laura Parker Bowles and Zara Phillips. I appreciate you mentioning it though, I'd much you ask than wrong information being on the blog. :)

mslewis

Tuesday 4th of February 2014

I don't like any of the Amanda Wakeley designs. Those evening dresses look so OLD and not appropriate for a young Duchess. I do like all the other designers though, especially that short navy dress with the tiers. It's very pretty.

I agree the weather down under at that time of year might be a little iffy but I'm sure enough members of the royal family and friends of the Duke and Duchess have been there to be able to give them some pointers on what clothes to choose. I think going in March is better than if they had chosen January because, from watching the Australian Open tennis championships, that is the worse time of year to go because it's so hot.

Looking forward to seeing Kate on her next outing.

Hannah

Tuesday 4th of February 2014

According to this Daily Mail article, Kate's Australia wardrobe is getting a makeover overseen by the Queen and Angela Kelly, and we're going to see lower hemlines and a lot more jewels and tiaras. Should be interesting! I'll be glad for it as long as they don't make her look stuffy.

mslewis

Tuesday 4th of February 2014

Do you seriously believe the young Duchess will be wearing what a middle-aged woman who dresses an 85 year old woman tells her to wear? Don't believe the Daily Fail. They have very little credibility.

Lili

Tuesday 4th of February 2014

I never put any credence in Daily Mail articles, as I comment below. The DM is well known for fabricating royals stories and for offering no credible sources.

Grace

Tuesday 4th of February 2014

Yes, I'm all in favor of tiaras, but I hope they don't interpret "regal" as frumpy.

Brenda

Monday 3rd of February 2014

What is the weather Iikely to be in Australia and New Zealand? Will it be their fall, and if so, might we expect to see slightly heavier fabrics than one might expect in spring?

admin

Tuesday 4th of February 2014

That is a *great* question! I will address it in the next post. Short version: they are going into fall, the average Australian & New Zealand temps are in the 60s during the day, 50s at night. The bigger issue might be rain, they average 10-12 days with rain in April. :)

MissMaddox

Monday 3rd of February 2014

That Zara necklace is some of the most "bling" I've ever seen the Duchess wear, and it's not even real gems! :) Personally, I can't see the Duchess wearing "Aphrodite"--too many feathers. But some of those lace dresses are gorgeous. Too bad all over lace is so hard to pull off for the rest of us mere mortals. :)

AshleyOlivia

Tuesday 4th of February 2014

Eh, my vote for most "bling" would have to go to the Mouawad necklace that was IDed a few posts ago (https://whatkatewore.com/2014/01/15/a-big-jewelry-id-pick-your-favorite-dress-worn-by-kate-in-2013/). I also think the Cartier necklace from the Trinity collection that she wore with the blue Stella McCartney dress to attend the Olympics-themed exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery would qualify (https://whatkatewore.com/2012/07/19/kate-in-cartier-stella-mccartney-for-npg-exhibit-temperley-war-horse-dress-avaialable/).

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