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Kate Dazzles in a Rich Red Cocktail Dress at Evening Reception UPDATED

The Duchess sparkled this evening at a Government House reception wrapping up Day 3 of the Canada tour.©James Whatling/Splash News

Tonight’s function was the most formal event on the tour itinerary.Kensington Palace

More from Richard Palmer’s story for The Express:

Kate was the epitome of glamour at a reception for political and civic leaders from across British Columbia at Government House in Victoria.

She and William mingled with 200 guests in the ballroom of the grand house, the monarch’s official residence in the province of British Columbia.

Kate continues to boost her eveningwear glamor factor, choosing an off-the-shoulder dress by Preen in deep red, a non-verbal message of recognition and respect for her hosts. We show the dress at Net-a-Porter, where it is available in very limited sizing ($1715).

Net-a-Porter

Net-a-Porter

The ‘Finella’ showcases an asymmetric neckline and off-the-shoulder style, combined with box pleating that creates a full skirt. It’s very much another fit and flare silhouette for the Duchess. Arguably the most striking design element is the diagonal draping on the fitted bodice. Below left we try to show that a little better, on the right you can see the pleating at the waist, as well as the exposed zipper.

Net-a-Porter / Matches Fashion

Net-a-Porter / Matches Fashion

The dress is midi length, hitting Kate mid-shin. The Finella is from the the pre-a/w 2016 collection and made in a stretch crepe that is a blend of acetate/polyamide/elastane. Matches Fashion also stocks the line but the dress is now sold out. The Finella is also still available at Brown Thomas.

Red isn’t the only color for the design, it is offered in black as well. We show it at Avenue 32 where it seems to be available in almost all sizes ($1715). Black is also still in stock at Net-a-Porter ($1715).

Avenue 32

Avenue 32

Preen is a British label founded in 1996 by Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi. The company has grown from a single shop on Portabello Road to a brand offering its collections in 25 countries. A bit more background via Vogue’s review of the spring 2017 collection

These two are flourishing with confidence, in the knowledge that their clothes are selling—and that the more super-magical they make them, the more women respond. Standing backstage, celebrating this, their twentieth year in business, Thornton and Bregazzi announced that they’re finally getting married, next July. Knowing them, it’ll probably be in their birthplace, the Isle of Man.

Kate was in another pair of her Gianvito Rossi suede pumps.

©James Whatling/Splash News

©James Whatling/Splash News

The shoes were first noted at Order of the Garter in June. They are the designer’s signature ‘Gianvito’ style, with a 4″ heel. We show them at Net-a-Porter, as well as Harrods.

Monday night the Duchess carried a new clutch. It looks like it is the Jenny Packham Casa clutch. Below left, the Casa in ‘Ink Pony Hair’ as shown at LaPrendo, where it is no longer available.

La Prendo / Canadian Heritage

LaPrendo / Canadian Heritage

Kate carried the Casa clutch last October to the SPECTRE premiere, you see the bag below left. When first talking about this being Kate’s bag (but in a different material) it made sense, until putting together pictures of both clutches. Then the proportions looked all wrong.

kate-red-hard-sided-box-clutch-canada-reception-jenny-packham-casa-clutch-spectre-oct-26-2015-both-j-what-spl

BOTH: ©James Whatling/Splash News

Fortunately people were kind enough to send messages and email reminding yours truly the Casa clutch actually came in two sizes.

Jenny Packham

Jenny Packham

 

And another lovely reader shared photos of their Casa bags side-by-side.

A Lovely WKW Reader

A Lovely WKW Reader

It makes perfect sense; Kate appears to have the Jenny Packham Casa in red pony hair.

©Polaris/LaPrendo

©Polaris/LaPrendo

This view helps underscore the point.

©Polaris/LaPrendo

Many thanks to Kate’s Closet for sharing info about the blue version of the bag.

The Duchess accessorized with her Soru Baroque Double-Sided Pearl Earrings.

©Splash News/Soru/Splash News

©Splash News/Soru/Splash News

We first saw the earrings at Wimbledon in July. They feature iridescent baroque pearls and Swarovski crystals in an 18ct yellow gold vermeil over sterling silver setting, and retail for £130 (about $170)

We saw the return of the Queen’s platinum and diamond maple leaf brooch, it shimmered atop the red dress fabric.  

©James Whatling/Splash News

©James Whatling/Splash News

Canadian Heritage

Here’s a look at Tuesday’s schedule, we’ll see you then!

schedule-graphic-times-events-canada-tour-tuesday-september-27

 

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Dixie Lee

Friday 30th of September 2016

This dress reminds me so much of the dresses my gorgeous mother used to wear circa 1960. A lovely dress and I think the earrings are terrific. I do think I would have gone for a different color for the bag, sometimes it's hard to match reds...a pearly, iridescent look such as the one shown in the photos comparing the different size of the bag might have looked wonderful.

Celeste

Thursday 29th of September 2016

I think this has to be my favorite dress so far. She looks stunning. Although the dress looks simplistic, it is cut so well and everything about it is flattering. I swear this woman can't take a bad picture, she is drop dead gorgeous.

JK

Thursday 29th of September 2016

Love this dress.

Alora

Thursday 29th of September 2016

Excellent choice. Faultless from head to toe. She absolutely stands out putting everyone else in the shade. Smiling at the number of ladies wearing nude courts in various pictures and liking how the duchess is out smarting in her differing hues. Maybe it's just a coincidence

Ellen

Wednesday 28th of September 2016

Oh, what a stunning dress! The color is perfect for Kate, and the architecture of the dress is interesting. I'd love to see this dress again, perhaps off the shoulder and with strappy sandals. It's definitely worth repeating. This is the fashion highlight of the trip!

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