A New Designer for the Duchess as Kate Wears Kate (Spade)

The Duchess wore a new dress by Kate Spade for today’s World Mental Health Day engagements.

From Simon Perry’s story for People:

Kate …joined William and Harry for a special party at County Hall, on the south bank of the River Thames in London, where they met members of the charities under their own Heads Together coalition. 

Heads Together is an umbrella organization, a campaign started by the three royals focused on eliminating the stigma associated with mental health issues.  

This offers a look at the back of Kate’s dress. On the right of the photo you see Joanne Sibly, who presented Kate with a flower posy. The Daily Mail explains she was “chosen to represent Merlin’s Magic Wand, the charity which grants wishes to children who are sick, bereaved or terminally ill.” 

This year’s Mental Health Day theme is mental health first aid, and the impact everyone can have in supporting friends and family confronting mental health issues. More from The Mirror:

…they listened to personal stories from inspiring Britons on World Mental Health Day.

The royal trio spent time chatting with individuals who have helped others with mental health problems and the people they supported before riding the London Eye.

William, Kate and Harry each spoke briefly about the significance of World Mental Health Day.

In her remarks Kate said “We must tackle the stigma that stops people asking for help in the first place”.  A video of Kate speaking:

Part of Kate’s speech on #WorldMentalHealthDaypic.twitter.com/AWftO4kQxX

— Victoria Murphy (@QueenVicMirror) October 10, 2016

From The Telegraph’s coverage:

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry have made an impassioned plea for society to recognise that mental health problems are suffered by all and the sooner everyone reaches out to help the better.

The full text for the comments made by all three may be read here.

Following the reception the trio moved to The London Eye, a giant ferris- wheel-type ride taking customers high above the city. Kate on her way to enter the capsule she would be riding in with Harry and William.

Here you can just see Kate, Harry and William, along with other officials and guests, enjoying their 30-minute ride.

They were riding the Eye because tonight it will be lit with purple lights, along with other locations, like the Tower of London and Madame Tussauds. The Light Up Purple campaign is another effort to raise awareness about mental health issues around the world, this is the 3rd year for the initiative.

The  Duchess was in a dress by Kate Spade, a new designer for the Duchess. The brand was founded in 1993 by Kate Brosnahan Spade and her husband, Andy. (Actor David Spade is Andy Spade’s younger brother.)

Kate wore the label’s Encore Rose Chiffon Dress, a print “inspired by the roses tossed on stage at the end of a show.”

The shirtdress features sheer sleeves, buttons from the neck to the inset waist, pleated skirt, chest patch pocket, side seam pockets and a removable tie at the neckline, which Kate elected to wear. It is available at Nordstrom, as well as at Kate Spade, along with Zappos Luxury site; it is $498 at all three retailers. Our thanks to Annabelle Gonzalez and Patricia Treble for the dress ID.

The print is used on a variety of pieces, including an oblong silk scarf ($115) as well cases for the iPhone 6 ($40) and the 6s ($45).

Kate accessorized with her Nina Clutch by LK Bennett, available on the US/CAN site ($325), as well as on the UK/INTL site (£185).

We saw the Duchess wear her Gianvito Rossi suede pumps. We show them at Net-a-Porter ($675) where they are available in a mixed selection of sizes.

She also Classic 18ct White Gold & Diamond Hoops by Kiki McDonough with the Morganite Cushion Drops.

NOTE: The post has been updated to reflect Kate wearing the Classic Hoop, not the tapered hoops. This better illustrates the distinction between the two styles.

Our thanks for that tip go to a lovely WKWer who wishes to remain behind the scenes.

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We also have news from one of our sponsors, Milli Millu.  The company is celebrating its 6th anniversary and has launched some fun promotions, including a bag giveaway for those who sign up for the company’s mailing list, along with other gifts for orders placed in October.

The lucky winner will receive the Gstaad handbag. Below you see Julie-Anne Dorff, Executive Style and Jewellery Director at Harper’s Bazaar with the Gstaad during London Fashion Week.

There are some beautiful colors in the fall collection, including a lush, rich burgundy. The Bilbao is a nice, slouchy design that can be carried by the handle, but it’s also equipped with a shoulder strap as well as a cross-body strap. It is large enough to hold laptops 12″ or smaller. The Midi Stockholm is a more structured design that can be worn over the shoulder or carried by its handle. The base is reinforced and has 5 goldtone studs, or feet. It can also carry a laptop up to 12″ in size.

Here are two beautiful bags in a color palette that is very appealing: blue and grey. Below left you see the Seville, and on the right, the Berlin.

This better shows the rich blue hues of the bags. Below, a closer look a the Seville, understated elegance in a palette of grey & off-white grain accented by navy suede.  It measures roughly 11″ x 10″ x 4.5″ and may be carried by its handle or the attached shoulder strap. On the right you see the Berlin, also in grey and off-white, a Milli Millu favorite for the fashion press and customers alike, including January Jones and Beyonce.

The Berlin is roomy inside, as well as versatile; it may be worn as a cross-body, carried by its shoulder strap or used as a clutch.

As part of the birthday celebration Milli Millu is offering gift cards with qualifying purchases throughout October. Depending on the order amount, shoppers will receive gift cards good until December 15th with values up to £275 ($353). (There are more details here.)

The brand continues to be a hit for celebrities and royals like Princess Beatrice, who carries a variety of Milli Millu designs. The retailer does free shipping and return shipping on all orders in the UK; elsewhere shipping (both ways) is free with orders totaling more than £200. Additionally, Milli Millu does free lifetime repairs. And if that’s not enough, WKW readers receive 15% off their purchases with promo code WKW15.

Don’t forget to vote in our Favorite Tour Earrings poll!

We will see you tomorrow for coverage of Kate’s visit to the Netherlands.

A request — let’s try to be cognizant of tone when critiquing things. Because this is a written medium we can’t see someone’s face or hear their voice, and it is easy for comments to sound overly harsh when that is not the intention.

LINKAGE:

• You can learn more about World Mental Health Day by clicking here; the World Federation for Mental Health website is here and the Light-up Purple website is here
• In the US learn more at the Mental Health America website; the group’s Facebook page is here and Twitter feed here
• The Heads Together website is here; the charity’s Facebook page is here and Twitter feed feed here. Below, a list of the Heads Together Charity Partners:
  • The Anna Freud Centre website is here; the organization’s Facebook page is here; the Twitter feed is here
  • Best Beginnings – “aims to reduce child health inequalities by creating and distributing innovative resources for families and professionals”. You’ll find the Best Beginnings Facebook page here and Twitter feed here. 
  • C.A.L.M. – the Campaign Against Living Miserably focuses on male suicide prevention. The CALM Facebook page is here and Twitter feed here.
  • CONTACT – is a coalition of military mental health organizations and support mechanisms working toward “healthier military minds.”
  • Mind – “The mental health charity.” The Mind Facebook page is here and Twitter feed here.
  • Place2Be focuses on in-school support for children encountering mental health issues; Kate has been involved with the organization since 2013. The Place2Be Facebook page is here and Twitter feed here.
  • The Mix – “the UK’s largest support service for those under 25″.  You’ll find the charity’s Facebook page here and Twitter feed here.
  • Young Minds – “committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people.” Visit the group’s Facebook page here and/or the Twitter feed here.
  • The Heads Together initiative was announced in August when a You Tube video about the campaign was released.
• The Daily Mail‘s coverage is here; The Telegraph’s story is here; The Daily Mirror’s story is here; The Evening Standard’s story is here
• People magazine’s story is here; PopSugar’s oversized photos are here;