Nov 082012
 

Kate brought back the Temperley ‘Amoret’ gown for tonight’s Saint Andrews gala in London.

Steve Finn/Splash News

The gala was at Middle Temple Hall, held to support the University’s 600th Anniversary Campaign, of which the William is Patron.  CNN’s David Wilkinson shared these images on Twitter of Kate and William speaking with guests.

David Wilkinson/CNN

The dress showcases exquisite French lace. Kate accessorized with her poppy this evening.

WeirPhotos/SplashNews

Kate debuted the Amoret dress at January’s War Horse film première, below we show her wearing the frock at that event.

Weir/Weir Photos/Splash News

The dress is crafted of sheer lace is also highlighted by the scalloped and eyelash-trimmed plunge front, cuffs and hem, keyhole back, and detachable blush silk slip liner.

Temperley London

There is also a removable satin bow belt and a concealed zip fastening on the back of the dress. This image gives you a better look at the McQueen Box Clutch and a peek at that belt.

Splash News

We previously saw the Alexander McQueen box clutch for the Diamond Jubilee Thames River Pageant in June, you can see how the skull clasp was removed and replaced by three rhinestones in the photo on the far right.

Splash/McQueen/Splash

The Duchess also brought back her black suede Jimmy Choo Cosmic heels.

Jimmy Choo Cosmic

My Small Obsessions has more on Kate’s poppy here.

The couple’s ties to the University run deep, it is where they first met and where their degrees are from. Many will recall the Duke and Duchess visiting Saint Andrews to officially launch the fundraising effort back in February, 2011.

University of Saint Andrews 600th Website

The fundraising effort runs through next year, as of this writing it looks like more than £32,000,000 has been raised.

University of Saint Andrews

(For the February 2011 appearance Kate wore a Luisa Spagnoli dress and jacket, and her Aquatalia Rhumba boots.)  One of the first wedding gifts Kate and William received was from the University, a scholarship in their name; applications for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge scholarship just opened November 1st.

During his remarks this evening William shared how he feels about the University, as seen in this Tweet from Richard Palmer of the Express:

Richard Palmer/Daily Express

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Many may have heard that Kate was out and about with Pippa yesterday, royal pooch Lupo was also with the ladies for the Burlington Bazaar, held at Mayfair’s upscale Burlington Arcade shopping area.

Ormiston Children & Families Trust

Proceeds from the Christmas Bazaar go to the Ormiston Children and Families Trust, located in East Anglia. Below we see photos of Kate and Lupo (left), Pippa is is seen in the image on the right, our thanks to Thomas Lyte for sharing these on Twitter.

Thomas Lyte Twitter

More from the Ormiston website:

Ormiston Children & Families Trust, along with its president Lady Tollemache and Executive Committee, hosted a Winter shopping bazaar at the Burlington Arcade in Mayfair, London, giving those in and around the capital the chance to shop for some exclusive presents in the run up to Christmas.

There to pick out the finest gifts were none other than Pippa Middleton and sister Kate as well as Princess Beatrice.

Below we see Princess Beatrice at the event.

Ormiston

You can see professional photos of Kate and Pippa here at PopSugar, or here in the Daily Mail’s story.

Many will have recognized Kate was in the Darwin Jacket from LK Bennett.

LK Bennett 'Darwin' Jacket

She was initially seen wearing it in December of last year and it quickly sold put, LK Bennett then decided to reissue the piece. Many think Kate was also wearing the Zipkin Boot by Stuart Weitzman,

A few other tidbits of interest:

  • The East Anglia Children’s Hospice, of which Kate is Patron, has crafted a lovely music video incorporating photos with the  words from a letter Kate sent the group, click here to watch the video on YouTube.

    EACH East Anglia's Children's Hospices

  • A reminder that William and Kate will join HM and other royals at Sunday’s Remembrance Day event.

LINKAGE:

Oct 312012
 

We wanted to share a few UFOs that have been resolved, beginning with that black dress worn by Kate when she was out with William & Pippa in Mayfair back on October 11.

Weir Photos / Splash News

Thanks to the detective work of WKW Facebook friend Julia G, she shared her belief two weeks ago that this was a Reiss dress from 2009, the style is the “Rozalia”. Below we show it as seen in a current eBay UK auction (images below left and center), thank you to Beth for commenting with a link to the auction. The picture on the right is from Julia G, it really shows the sharply angled edge of that top layer of fabric, a distinctive design element many of us were looking for as we sought to locate the dress.

eBay/eBay/Julia G

The eBay dress is described as a dark navy or purple, while Kate and Julia’s version looks to be black, as does this version from a previous online auction. (We have digitally altered the photo in an effort to better show that angled fabric overlay.)

eBay Auction

An additional tip of the tiara goes to Rachel, Isabella and Elizabeth B, they noted that Kate’s sister Pippa wore the same dress back in 2009 at the “Snowman In Africa” for UNICEF book launch; to see Pippa in the dress click here.

Many thought it might be Temperley’s Simonette, others thought it could the Issa black short sleeve dress Kate wore while out shopping just days before last April’s wedding (now re-issued by Issa and available), another idea was the Reiss Nanette in black.

Temperley / Issa

Many thanks to the fashion savvy and eagle-eyed WKWers on Facebook for the work on this one.

Another ID we are behind in sharing is the Breton stripe top worn by the Duchess at this summer’s Olympic Games underneath her navy Smythe blazer, the blazer has also been re-issued and available for purchase again.

Owen Humphreys/UK Press Association

Many will remember Kate wore the piece to watch Zara Phillips in the Team Eventing Jumping Final of the Games at Greenwich Park.

Kent Gavin/Splash News

This Instagram image showed the back of the piece.

Howard Truong Instagram Feed

The always-sharp Anna of My Small Obsessions felt strongly from the beginning the top was by Alexander McQueen.

eBay

Anna’s instincts were spot-on, the knit top is a past-season McQueen piece.

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This fall was so chock-full of Kate appearances we never took a look at many of the new fall styles offered at some of her favorite retailers. We share a few pieces today, beginning with items at Reiss.

This retailer always seems to have several dresses on hand that “seem like Kate,” for lack of a better term. Below we show several, from left to right: the Ilda Fitted Pencil dress in Pacific Blue ($360) has multiple details found on pieces the Duchess favors; the Bridge V-Back dress (originally $360, now $240) has a deep veed back, we show it in Oil Blue but it also comes in Cream and Fawn; the Venna Boat Neck dress has an awful lot going on, including ‘cross-over, folded and exposed seam detail,’ but I could easily see Kate wearing it in many of the four colors available; the Shari Asymmetric Cowl Neck dress (originally $300, now $150 in the magenta color we show below) is probably more ‘Kate-like’ in the black colorway.

LK Bennett Ilda, Bridge, Venna & Shari DressesÂ

Next, a more neutral palette, left to right: the lacy knee-length Marjorie ($320) available in two colors (deep violet and soft grey), below right, the Levento in black/pewter($285) offers sheer short sleeves and more ruching, the Brandy has similarities to the Shola with yet more ruching at the waist & small of the back, the three-quarter sleeve Rebecca (originally $340, now $227) has asymmetric lines and partially sheer sleeves.

Reiss Marjorie, Levento, Brandy & Rebecca

Below, two dressier frocks. On the left it is the black sequined Emma ($500) in what Reiss calls its ‘body-con’ style, on the right, the Nolita ($370), with multiple elements Kate favors: an embellished overlay, cap sleeves and ruching at the waist.  I don’t really see Kate in the Emma as much as I see possibilities in the Nolita.

Reiss

And finally from Reiss we show the Fifi, looks like something the Duchess *might* select with its lace detailing ($425), although to be honest, Kate has opted for more upscale pieces from McQueen, Temperley, Beulah London and Amanda Wakeley when wearing full-length gowns.

Reiss "Fifi" Dress

We also share a few styles from LK Bennett, we are converting the British pound to US dollars for pricing, so it is possible the price in US stores and/or online might be slightly different.  We start with the Elysia Wool Tailored dress in light grey (£195/$345) shown below left, it also comes in orchid and a dogtooth print, below right we have the Sabrina Tailored Pleat dress (£225/$400) in Petrol, this one is available in a pretty aubergine as well.

LK Bennett Elysia, Sabrina Dresses

From the company’s Black Ribbon collection we see the Dee Hip Pleat dress (£395/$635) below left, it has that notched neckline Kate enjoys (it is also available in red), below right we show the Electra Wool Tailored dress (£395/$635).  The Electra is really too short for the Duchess, at least in terms of official appearances, another 2 inches are needed to make it fully appropriate.

LK Bennett Dee & Electra Dresses

Hopefully no one’s eyes will glaze over from the sameness of silhouette and detailing (there is a reason they looked ‘Kate Like’ to your faithful scribe), below left LK Bennett’s Gianna Wool V-Neck dress(originally £225, now £150/$240-ish), on the right we show the Corvina Crepe Tailored dress in grey (£225/$360-ish), also offered in lipstick red and a smokey quartz.

LK Bennett Gianni & Corvina

This certainly isn’t the brightest of color palettes, but then, it is winter.  The Davina that we have seen Kate wear remains available in a variety of jewel tones.

LK Bennett Davina

The Lizzie Jersey Wrap Dress holds appeal (£145/$240-ish), we show it in green/emerald on the left and grey/mid-grey on the right, it is a silhouette Kate likes in a fabric she also finds appealing.

LK Bennett Lizzie Dress

New shoe styles include the Sofia Suede and Lace pump in black and teal, as well as the Dottie Platform Sequin shoe in bordeaux and gold.

LK Bennett Sofia & Dottie Shoes

The Janna shoe looks like something we might see the Duchess wear, we show it in Black and in Rose Gold (£225 / $365-ish), it does come in a variety of additional colorways, but none that yours truly found terribly appealing. (Ahem.)

LK Bennett JannaÂ

I wouldn’t be surprised to see Kate sport the Molly Point Toe shoe, not because of what you see from the front or side, but from the back, it seems to offer that fillip she enjoys.

LK Bennett Molly

Finally, an update on the Sledge shoe at Nordstrom ($345), there are two new colors, both exclusive to this retailer, one is Navy, the other Red.

LK Bennett Sledge at Nordstrom

New bags with merit include the Nina leather box bag (described as “the sister to our popular Natalie clutch”), the Alne beaded clutch in gold or silver, and the Waldon long suede clutch, shown top to bottom.

LK Bennett

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Upcoming Engagements:

1) There are a few engagements in the royal appointment book, beginning with next Thursday’s fundraising dinner for the St. Andrews 600th Anniversary Campaign.  More from St. Andrews:

“The Duke will be accompanied at the black tie event by his wife, and fellow St Andrews graduate, the Duchess of Cambridge. The royal couple first met at the University of St Andrews and both graduated in 2005. The Duke graduated with an honours degree in Geography and the Duchess with an honours degree in History of Art.”

Many will remember Kate and William’s visit to the University in February 2011, that is when the Duke officially launched the fundraising campaign, he serves as its Patron.

Splash News

There is a silent auction as part of next week’s dinner, items available include excursions like the Ultimate Safari Adventure (below), and a Nantucket Holiday for Eight.

St. Andrews 600 Auction

Click here to see other items in the auction, including a lot of Robert Burns books that I am much-too-interested-in. The dinner is at Middle Temple Hall, the couple visited Middle Temple October 8 to meet with students.

2) Also on the calendar, next Sunday’s Remembrance Day events, those take place at 11 am on the 11th.

3) There is another black-tie function on the horizon, I believe it is the 24th, we’ll post more information as we have it and we get closer to the date.

Aug 122012
 

NOTE: The post contains images and information about the Closing Ceremonies, yet to be broadcast on television in many places, including the USA.

Prince Harry was the Royal Family’s official representative at tonight’s Closing Ceremony for the Olympic Games, Kate accompanied Harry to the event. The duo are seen below with IOC president Jacques Rogge.

London 2012 Website

Prince William was on duty in Anglesey and unable to attend, the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh remained in Scotland following a whirlwind Jubilee spring and summer.

It was a packed house once again at the Stadium.

London 2012 Website

The theme was a street party, with musical performances by a broad spectrum of British musical acts, including Madness.

London 2012

And One Direction.

Team GB Facebook

The Spice Girls were even reunited for the evening.

London 2012 Twitter

Union Jacks were in abundance.

London 2012

Artist Damien Hirst designed a special flag for the Ceremony that was showcased on the Stadium floor.

London 2012

The athletes streamed into the stadium from every entrance.

London 2012 Facebook

For her final Olympic appearance Kate brought back the Whistles “Bella Body Conscious Dress” in the multi-petal print. Below she is seen with the Prime Minister David Cameron, and his wife Samantha, as well as Lord Sebastian Coe, just before tonight’s Ceremony.

John Stillwell/WPA-Rota/Press Association Images

Here is a refresher on the dress.

Whistles via ASOS

The piece is from an older season and no longer available, most recently it was sold at ASOS. The frock is described this way:

  • Bodysuit: 92% Silk, 8% Elastane
  • Lining: 96% Polyester, 4% Elastane

In these photos you can better see the waist detailing, exposed metal zipper and ruching at the front and back. I don’t know that a belt was needed, it’s difficult to tell without a better view.

Whistles via ASOS

The Duchess also brought back her Anya Hindmarch Maud Clutch.

John Stillwell/Press Association

The bag is crafted of “A luxuriously soft satin, made using tightly woven thread to give a glossy appearance.” Here you have tighter shots of the detailing on the piece, including the “C” for Catherine.

Anya Hindmarch

Good news for those interested in the bag, it is available again for purchase at Anya Hindmarch and online, it is priced at £450 (about $700 USD at today’s exchange rates).  On a side note, one of the London Mascots was spotted ‘carrying’ an Anya Hindmarch Gracie bag.

Anya Hindmarch Twitter Feed

Previously we saw Kate wearing the Bella dress at the Jubilee Concert, that was June 4 of this year.

Dave Thompson/PA Wire

Our post on that event is here. Tonight Kate wore the same custom Kiki McDonough diamond and topaz earrings seen at the concert.

In short, Kate continued to dress in a manner that would minimize attention on her or her sartorial selections, choosing to keep the spotlight where it belonged, on the athletes, coaches, volunteers, public safety personnel and others working to make the Games a success. She showcased UK designers, wore Team GB gear, repeating ensembles on multiple occasions to diminish interest in what she was wearing, a wise tactic on her part, the mark of someone savvy enough to know the impact she can have.

It looked like an extraordinary evening.

London 2012 Twitter

And it seems that Kate and Harry thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

C

C. Tibbs Twitter Feed

As Sebastian Coe (head of LOCOG, the London Organising Committee) put it:

London 2012

Then it was time to extinguish the flame.

BBC Twitter Feed

And fireworks lit up the night skies in London.

London 2012 Twitter

The Palace released word of an official reception for Team GB athletes, more from the British Monarchy Facebook page:

Buckingham Palace has announced that The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will give a reception for the 2012 Great Britain Olympic Team on 23 October 2012.

A reminder that Kate, William and Harry are also official ambassadors for the Paralympic Games, they start in just 16 days.  Additionally, William and Kate start their South Pacific tour in less than a month, the first stop is Singapore on September 11.

Linkage:

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