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It’s Twice as Nice for a Preen Dress at Place2Be Awards

Kate chose another Preen dress for this evening’s Place2Be Wellbeing in School awards.©Stephen Lock/i-Images

Place2Be is one of Kate’s patronages; it provides emotional support in school-based settings for children attending primary and secondary schools. It is one of the charities under the umbrella of the Heads Together initiative started by Kate, William and Harry. From The Evening Standard’s story:

When she arrived the Duchess said she was “honoured” to be attend these very special Place2Be Awards.

Kate said “all of us” need help during their lifetime and that is why future King William, herself and Prince Harry set up the Heads Together campaign. “We want to end the stigma surroundings mental health that stops people getting the help that and suppport that they so desperately need,” she said.

©Eamonn M. McCormack / WPA Rota/Nunn Syndication/Polaris

Kate spoke with parents, students, educators and Place2Be personnel at tonight’s function.©Eamonn M. McCormack / WPA Rota/Nunn Syndication/Polaris

Kate meeting some of the finalists for this evening’s awards.

Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace

From The Express:

The event in London this evening aims to recognise children and young people who have been inspiring examples of positive mental health in their schools.

Kensington Palace

The awards gala was held at Mansion House, the official residence of the Lord Mayor of London.

From The Daily Mail’s coverage:

In a speech at the ceremony the Duchess praised the inspiring finalists and the ‘remarkable’ work being done by Place2Be in support of children’s mental health.  

©Eamonn M. McCormack / WPA Rota/Nunn Syndication/Polaris

 

 

These photos from Rebecca English of The Daily Mail offer a little closer look at the Duchess’s dress.

Rebecca English, The Daily Mail & Mail Online @RE_DailyMail

Rebecca English, The Daily Mail & Mail Online @RE_DailyMail

As you have no doubt already realized, Kate wore the same dress from Preen that she wore in red on the Canada tour.©Polaris/ /

It is the ‘Finella,’ and we show it at Net-a-Porter. The dress is made of a heavy material that Preen describes as its “signature body-sculpting Matte Stretch Satin.” The Finella also showcases box pleats in the skirt, an exposed back zipper, pleated bodice, an asymmetrical neckline and off-the-shoulder styling.

Net-a-Porter

Net-a-Porter

Here is how the two ensembles look side by side.©Nunn Syndication, Polaris/James Whatling, Splash News

The black Finella is available at Browns in most sizes (£1000), as well as in some sizes at Net-a-Porter ($1715).  The red version of the dress remains available in limited sizing at Matches Fashion ($1332) and on the Preen website as well (£999).

Kate wore another new pair of shoes this evening, the Prada Wavy-Cut Suede Pump. The shoe is black suede with a pointed toe, 3.3″ heel, low-dipped collar and distinctive wave cutouts.©Polaris/Neiman Marcus

The style also came in a rich red shade; I believe the original selling price was $750. Unfortunately, the heels are no longer available.Saks Fifth Avenue

Our thanks to What MeghanWore and Patricia Aveiro and Katie Midleton on Twitter for their ID work on Kate’s shoes.

The Duchess had on a shimmering pair of diamond earrings we hadn’t seen before.©Nunn Syndication/Polaris

It turns out the earrings have been worn previously, although not by Kate. (At least not that we know of.) Below you see HM at the State Opening of Parliament in May of 2012.©Robin Nunn / Nunn Syndication / Polaris

Anna of My Small Obsessions identified the earrings as the pair previously worn by the Queen, but she notes there doesn’t seem to be any background information on the pair.©Nunn Syndication, Polaris / Nunn Syndication, Polaris

Her Majesty’s Jewel Vault describes the earrings as “This pair of diamond pendant earrings includes a pendant of separate stones hanging within a diamond frame.”©Nunn Syndication, Polaris / Nunn Syndication, Polaris

The Duchess sported a new belt by Temperley London. We show the ‘Crystal Bow Belt’ at Boutique 1.Boutique 1

The belt is from the same season as Kate’s Temperley London ‘Noa’ coat, first seen at Remembrance Sunday 2013.James Whatling/Splash news

Our thanks to Kate J on the WKW Facebook page, and also Annabelle G on Twitter, for identifying the belt.

We’ll leave you with a few photos that show off the Queen’s earrings.©

And a brief video.

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Travelingblush.com

Wednesday 30th of November 2016

Beautiful look, but isn't it a bit chilly for November?

Becky

Tuesday 29th of November 2016

I loved this dress when she wore it in Canada, and I still really like it in black. As others have commented I don't love the belt over the exposed zipper, but from the front I think the belt looks nice. I don't like her hair though. It looked so much better pulled back with the red version. (and I thought her hair looked fabulous earlier in the day at the museum.) Earrings are of course stunning and I prefer them to the earrings she wore in Canada.

I am surprised she bought two versions of this dress and wore them so close together, its a gorgeous dress but if she wanted a black cocktail dress that wasn't lace, there are a myriad of other options. Or if she had worn them farther apart in time I don't think it would be so surprising.

katefanatic

Tuesday 29th of November 2016

I am in the minority of those who loved the belt and think it actually makes the look. I feel that without the belt it would have been a massive expanse of black pleated blandness, as I don't feel the structuring details are as clearly visible on the black version as they were on the red one.

Earrings, belt and makeup are what make this look---and I don't mind that the belt sat over an exposed zipper at the back.

Minor quibble---I think her hair did need to be down but I don't love this particular style.

Lindsey

Monday 28th of November 2016

I'm nitpicking because I love this dress, particularly in red. I agree with those who dislike the belt over an exposed zipper (and those who think such tailoring details are not appropriate for evening wear). I'd think the belt was a great detail if the dress had a hidden zipper. I also prefer her hair back in this dress because the neckline is beautiful and should be shown off. But my bigger problem is two colours of the same dress, when it is something so distinctive, it comes across as lazy shopping. For something like a cable-knit jumper/sweater, a breton stripe top, a pair of everyday shoes or a pair of trousers/pants - ie, basic items - then multiples in several colours makes sense and I do it myself when I can afford it. But for an evening dress? No, gorgeous as this dress is and lovely as she looks in it.

Anna

Sunday 27th of November 2016

Replicas of those earrings were worn in the last episode of The Crown. I can't name the scene for fear of spoilers, but keep your eyes peeled and you can't miss them.

Lindsey

Monday 28th of November 2016

Thanks for the excuse to go back and rewatch :-)

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