Another Roksanda Ilincic Frock for Kate & The Return of a Hobbs Favorite

Kate wore Roksanda Ilincic for today’s visit to historic Ayer’s Rock, now called by its Aboriginal name, Uluru. Below you see William and Kate after landing at Yulara Airport.

The couple flew to Australia’s Northern Territory from Canberra, they had several engagements scheduled, starting with a visit at the National Indigenous Training Academy.

More from the Daily Mail:

Before a lush field of grass in the middle of the desert, the Anangu people waited under a tree for William and Kate at the National Indigenous Training Academy where they presented students with graduation certificates.

William, who is on his second visit to Uluru after his parents Prince Charles and Diana took him there on their visit 1983, was presented with a three metre long traditional Aboriginal spear.

Adam Giles/Chief Minister of the Northern Territory

As seen above, Kate wore a new dress from Roksanda Ilincic. Below left we show the Duchess wearing a very similar piece by the designer during the 2011 North American Tour, for an event at the Royal Academy of Arts in July of 2012, and a photo from today.

Looking for the exact dress worn by the Duchess proved challenging. Two very savvy fashion experts, Michelle of Perth Fashion and Ayvee from Diana’s Jewels, were on the case. Both believe Kate was wearing the Lovina dress in a custom fabric, we show the dress in two different colors below.

The biggest difference between the Peridot worn in the USA (and again at a London reception) and the dress worn today is in the styling on the back, there is no peplum detailing on the back of the dress worn today.
From The Australian:

The Duke, dressed casually in an open-necked shirt, his sleeves rolled up, was presented with a two-metre barbed mulga wood spear bound in traditional fashion with kangaroo tendons. Kate said she was thrilled to receive a handpainted bracelet made of seed, which she immediately donned.

Here you can better see that bracelet.

Stephen Lock/i-Images/www.i-Images.co

William and Kate’s next scheduled engagement was at the Uluru Cultural Center, offering displays on the area’s history and culture, art galleries, and more. Before arriving at the Cultural Center Kate changed into a frock familiar to many fashion followers, her Hobbs Wessex dress.

That dress was first seen when William, Kate, and Harry joined together to announce a charitable initiative aimed at improving sports coaching in schools, that event was in late July 2012. The Wessex is made of linen, it certainly looks cooler than the Ilincic, and much more casual.  The frock features a boatneck, short sleeves, fitted waist and bodice, and concealed zipper.

The couple watched traditional dances at the Cultural Center, viewed artwork, and met with artisans. They were also given more gifts, including a hand-carved shield for William and a necklace for Kate. Following this event, there was a tea, after which the Duke and Duchess will move to the giant sandstone rock formation for which the area is famous.

The Duchess wore earrings today first seen during the 2012 Diamond Jubilee tour (left) and again for the Queen’s pre-Christmas lunch in December of 2013. They are the Double Leaf earrings by artisan Catherine Zoraida.

Yesterday we shared info on the new miniature charms Kate is wearing, identified by My Small Obsessions as being part of Asprey’s Woodland Collection.  Below, the mushroom, acorn, and oak leaf. As was noted by several commenters yesterday, the acorn holds special significance as it is part of the Middleton family’s coat of arms.

i-Images/i-Images/Asprey London

This isn’t the first time the Duchess has worn Asprey, one of her more frequently worn necklaces has been her Asprey 167 button pendant (167 New Bond Street is the jeweler’s address).

L: John Stillwell/PA Wire R: Asprey

Kate wore her LK Bennett Sledge pumps with the Ilincic dress, but I’ve not yet seen if she changed into her Imperias with the Hobbs dress. She also carried the grey suede McQueen clutch we have seen previously. One other style note, Kate did not wear hose (aka tights) today.

i-Images/Polaris

A new photo is in of Kate receiving the gift of a beaded necklace. The Duchess is wearing her Imperias.

NEXT ENGAGEMENTS (Wednesday in Australia, Tuesday night in the US):

• Fly to Adelaide in South Australia, more specifically to the suburb of Elizabeth, named after HM
• Visit the Northern Sound System, a youth-driven community music centre, where the Duke and Duchess will watch a skateboarding demonstration
• Head to the Playford Civic Centre for a reception hosted by the Governor and Premier of South Australia

LINKAGE:

• Learn more about Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park at its Australia Parks website, you can also visit the Parks Australia Facebook page here
• You can visit the Cultural Center website here
• The Australian‘s story and video can be seen here
• Pop Sugar’s story and oversize photos are here
• The Daily Mail’s story is here, the Mirror’s live blog is here