Apr 112012
 

We have several updates to share, beginning with an ID on the jeans Kate wore when meeting the Team GB Hockey players back on March 15.

Splash News

Most will remember Kate’s classic Pucci blazer and official Olympic scarf paired with those distinctive coral jeans.

Lia Hervey-SkyNewsOlympic Twitter Feed (L)/Great Britain Hockey UK (R)

Originally we thought these might be J Brand’s 811 style, but that was not the case. Identifying the exact make of jeans was a challenge for the intrepid fashion experts on the WKW Facebook page, they refused to give up until the proper pair was located. Many pair were perused and rejected, photos of details examined, color comparisons made; the conclusion is that Kate was in a pair by Zara.

Zara Pop Slim Fit

These are the Zara Pop Slim Fit in Red, the color we believe Kate wore; they are currently £39.99 in the UK, while the US site shows them in Fluroscent Pink and Fluroscent Yellow, priced at $79.99. I concur with the collective wisdom on this one, and would love to thank everyone involved individually, but they all said they would prefer a group credit.

Kate was also in the jeans when she took royal pooch Lupo for a walk before heading out to connect with Charles & Camilla. (For our original post on the Olympic Hockey event and the Duchess’s engagement with Prince Charles and Camilla later that evening, click here.)

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Many know that Kate and William vacationed for a week following his return from the Falklands. Hello! magazine shared first photos from their trip to Courchevel’s famed ski slopes.

Hello! Magazine April 2012

The Duke & Duchess joined the rest of the Middleton clan on the getaway, along with George Percy. (Rumors persist Pippa and Mr. Percy are romantically involved, they were flatmates at Edinburgh University.) To see the entire Hello! story, click here, or visit PopSugar to see 135 photos from the vacation.

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Madame Tussauds unveiled its four William and Kate figures last week, they are being showcased at four different Tussauds locations. In London the Kate figurine is in a replica of the blue Issa dress worn for her engagement announcement.

Courtesy Madame Tussauds

The Daily Mail offers this from its story about the unveiling of the lifelike figures:

Prince William is in a replica of the Gieves and Hawkes navy two piece single breasted suit recreated by the renowned tailors… a replica of the Omega Seamaster watch he wore on his engagement day.

Tussauds revealed that the couple were kept closely informed of work on the figures at every stage of the creation, a process continuing a relationship with the Royal family that goes back 180 years, when Madame Tussaud opened her first attraction in London featuring the figure of King William IV.

For those wondering about the accessories and clothing seen on the Tussauds figures, here is more from the Museum’s website:

“…an exact copy of the stunning blue Issa London dress she wore on the day of the announcement, exclusively created by the Issa design team.”

Those visiting the Tussauds in New York will see Kate in a precise replica of the Alexander McQueen gown she wore to the BAFTA dinner in Los Angeles last summer.

Courtesy Madame Tussauds

More detailed photos.

Madame Tussauds New York Courtesy Photos

If visiting Tussauds in Amsterdam, you will see Kate wearing the black lace Temperley gown seen at the ‘War Horse’ première in January.

Courtesy Madame Tussauds Amsterdam

Next week Tussauds Blackpool will unveil the fourth set of William and Kate figures, the Duchess will be in a replica of the rose Jenny Packham gown worn to the ARK dinner last June.

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Speaking of film openings, we’ll have another red carpet appearance by Kate and William: Wednesday the 25th they will attend the London première of African Cats, a documentary about lions and cheetahs trying to survive on the African savannah.

Disney via The Mirror

The event is a fundraiser for the Tusk Trust,

Since its formation in 1990 Tusk has raised over $25 million for a wide range of projects across Africa which not only work to protect wildlife, particularly endangered species, but also help to alleviate poverty, through sustainable development and education amongst rural communities who live alongside wildlife.

More than 100 children will be in attendance at the gala, all from the varying charities Kate and William sponsor.

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In addition to that film opening, Kate and William are expected to make two more appearances this month, thanks to Richard Palmer for that information.

Also, there’s word that Kate will be doubling her number of patronages, adding four more by the end of the year. More in this story by Victoria Murphy:

She will spend the next few months making low-key visits to charities to help her decide which ones to support.

A Palace source said: “Everyone has been keen to make sure she has been eased into royal life, but it is going well and she is ready to step things up a bit.

The Mirror piece explains an announcement on the additional charities will be made sometime in December.

We’ll be back in a few days with more updates, as well as a look at spring (and fall!) styles from some of Kate’s favorite retailers.

Feb 142012
 

Kate selected a Hobbs coat purchased back in September for her visit to Liverpool today.

AP

It is the ‘Celeste” model in chestnut brown, here is a more detailed look at the coat.

Hobbs 'Celeste' Coat in Chestnut Brown

We first learned about the piece via a post written by UK blogger Social Beautify.

Social Beautify Blog

These images are digitally enhanced just a touch to better show the seaming and belting.

Hobbs 'Celeste' Coat

The coat is a familiar silhouette for Kate, it is made of wool crepe and “adorned with leather stud fastening cuff straps and a matching belt” according to the website. It is now sold out, the coat had been discounted from its original price of £369 (about $575) to £182 ($285).

With thanks to Victoria Murphy of The Mirror for sharing information on Kate’s dress, it is by Oasis.

Victoria Murphy/The Mirror Twitter Feed (@QueenVicMirror)

The always-on-top-of-things Kate Middleton Style Blog says the dress is an older piece, that would explain why yours truly wasn’t able to locate it online.

Kate accessorized with black tights, the black suede shoes we first noted at the Gary Barlow concert and the suede bag some think is the Stuart Weitzman Raz clutch. She also wore the Kiki McDonough earrings first seen on Christmas Day, many believe they were a Christmas gift from Prince William. (Below left we see an actual earring, the other two images show the style with citrines instead of green amethysts.)

Kiki McDonough

Us Weekly reports that Prince William sent Kate a bouquet and card (although not the flowers shown in the photo), he remains in the Falklands continuing his RAF training mission.

The day started with a visit to The Brink Liverpool, an alcohol-free bar, restaurant and entertainment center.

Rope Walks Liverpool

More on the restaurant where Kate began her appointments today from its website:

The Brink is a revolutionary new venue that’s so much more than your usual café bar. We’ve taken alcohol out of the mix to provide a truly welcoming, creative and intelligent space where people from all backgrounds and walks of life can dine, hang out, socialise and relax.

There was even a “Duchess” smoothie created in honor of Kate, she seemed to enjoy it when having a taste.

The British Monarchy

Below, Kate meets staff at The Brink.

British Monarchy Flickr

This is also the first time Kate did a walkabout on her own, here we see just some of the media on hand for today’s Liverpool visit.

British Monarchy Flickr

Below left we see Jaqson Johnston-Lynch presenting Kate with a bouquet.

The British Monarchy Flickr

Having appointments on Valentine’s Day makes for some very sweet sentiments indeed, a Telegraph story shares some of what Jaqson planned to say to the Duchess:

“…he said: “I have wrote in the card ‘Dear Kate, Happy Valentine’s Day, I love you, from Jaqson’. “I’m also giving her some flowers, red roses, and little cupcake.

Jaqson, who attends St Vincent de Paul School in Liverpool, said he had a little speech prepared. “I’m going to say ‘Happy Valentine’s Day, your Royal Highness. I’m sorry Prince William can’t be here’.”

Jaqson did say that the Duchess is “not my type,” click here for that story, it is very cute.  The Brink is affiliated with one of Kate’s patronages, Action on Addiction.

After that stop Kate moved on to her appointment at the renowned Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where one young patient was said to have been practising her curtsey, little Aimee Haswell was designated to greet Kate.  When Aimee was only 9 days old she was diagnosed with a rare heart condition, here we see her at Alder Hey after her very first surgery.

Via

And here we see Aimee with her bouquet for Kate today.

The British Monarchy Flickr

You can learn more about Aimee and see her amazing progress here on the Alder Hey site.  This image from inside the hospital shows Kate in the Pediatric ICU with a young lady named Hannah.

Via niknaknooxx Twitter Feed

The Duchess spent time meeting patients, family and staff.

Kate then moved on to the Ronald McDonald House at Alder Hey, it is the largest Ronald McDonald House in Europe, offering free accomdations for families and care-givers of children being taken care of at the hospital. More than 15000 families have been accommodated at the House since it opened, but more space is still needed; learn how you can help by clicking here, or make a donation here.

How did Kate do on her first walkabout, as well as the rest of the visit? Longtime royal photographer Mark Stewart shared his insight on Twitter:

Mark Stewart Twitter Feed (@RegalEyes)

A few additional appointments for Kate you may want to make a note of:

Fortnum and Mason

  • March 8 the Duchess will once again join Her Majesty, as well as Prince Philip, for a visit to Leicester, where there are Diamond Jubilee events planned.

Next, a closer look at the Luisa Spagnoli Kate wore for her visit to St. Andrews with William just a bit less than a year ago, February 28 of 2011.

British Monarchy

Some may recall that a lovely commenter, Olympe, shared via email that the suit was not a skirt and jacket as originally thought, but a dress and jacket. Kate elected to wear a turtleneck over the top of the dress, below we see the “Sushi” jacket by Luisa Spagnoli, along with the dress.

In these images you can more clearly see the detailing at the waist.

Many thanks also to lovely WKW Facebook friend Tiffany, she alerted us to this auction for the ensemble.

Finally, word today of Kate and William Barbie dolls.

Mattel Courtesy Photo

The dolls will be released April 7, priced at £99.99. More from Marketing Week:

Each will be wearing an outfit inspired by their wedding, including Prince William’s red Irish Guards uniform tunic and Kate’s Alexander McQueen gown.

The Daily Mail story says they may be preordered now on Amazon UK, it is also available for ordering in the US on the Barbie Collector site.

 

Dec 062011
 

Tonight’s Gary Barlow concert in London was a star-studded event, complete with red carpet, royals and quite a few fans.

Once again Kate showed her fondness for lace overlays, she was in a primarily black ensemble for the evening’s events, I think we can comfortably call her frock a mini-dress.

Via Majesty Magazine Twitter Feed

Kate went with Zara’s Lace Tulip Dress, now sold out on both the US and Canadian sites, still available on the UK site in extra small and small sizes.  A tip of the hat to WKW Facebook friend Jennifer and @MrsRegalEyes for quickly locating the dress online.

Zara

Made of 100% polyester, the frock retailed at $99.99 stateside, it is selling at £99.99 in the UK.  WKW Facebook friends Ruby and Dress Like a Lady both noted there are also Lace Pants available at Zara.

Zara

No doubt many Kate fashion followers noted she switched from nude hose to black tights, that made sense from a sartorial perspective as well as a practical one, it was quite chilly in London this evening. We are still debating the clutch (black suede, small bow) and heels (black suede, probably a 4″ heel, slim platform) Kate wore, we’ll update things here as soon as we have that information.

We reference the solving of a ‘major mystery’ in the post title because we believe the black jacket Kate wore today is the same as that worn the day after the wedding.

PA Wire

PA Wire

Tonight was one of those occasions when media is given information about the designers being worn, they were told the Duchess was wearing “a Zara dress and Ralph Lauren jacket.” When looking at the photos it is obviously the same jacket, this is a garment that was very much a UFO (Unidentified Fashion Object), it’s nice to finally have an answer on the designer. A commenter left a comment this evening saying she purchased the jacket on eBay this afternoon.

Ralph Lauren Jacket as sold on eBay

Interestingly, it is the second time Kate has paired the Ralph Lauren jacket with a Zara frock, Zara made the blue pleated dress she wore when departing Buckingham Palace after the couple’s wedding.

Kate fashion followers will recognize the rest of the Duchess’s ensemble, she wore her sapphire engagement ring, charm bracelet and Kiki McDonough Grace earrings.

Kiki McDonough ‘Grace’ Earrings

No one will be surprised to know that both Prince Charles and Prince William were in navy blue suits, the always astute @MrsRegalEyes noted Camilla was elegant in a chocolate-bronze Anna Valentine outfit, the Duchess of Cornwall previously wore the ensemble to the Pride of Britain Awards.

For those unfamiliar with Mr. Barlow, he is part of Take That, a popular band, as well as a judge of The X Factor.

The Prince’s Trust Facebook Page

In fact, last night and this evening’s concerts are the first solo shows he has done since 1999. Both shows are fundraisers for The Prince’s Trust and The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry, Kate was named an official patron of the latter group in October. More specifically, the funds will be used to help those impacted by this summer’s riots, Look to the Stars has more:

The money raised for The Prince’s Trust will support the charity’s UK City Riots Appeal, helping disadvantaged young people from riot-torn areas to rebuild their lives and communities.

The Telegraph

The BBC also has a video story on tonight’s concert.

BBC

It looked like everyone enjoyed themselves, William and Kate were clearly ready to have a good time, when the entertainer said “I hope you enjoy tonight and I hope it’s not too loud” William can be heard responding, “The louder the better.”
We want to send out a special “Thank You” to Kate Middleton Style, graciously covering us on the WKW Facebook page while I was out of pocket for the afternoon.
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