Welcome to another one of our posts getting caught up on some of the more notable styles worn by Catherine Middleton prior to the launch of our silly little blog; today we look at the silk blouse from Whistles worn for her less formal engagement photo with Prince William.
Mario Testino
The cream blouse is 100% silk and dates back to a collection from two years ago. More background on the British retailer from Elle UK:
“Whistles is known for its vintage inspired silk blouses which are currently best sellers in its stores.”
Most accounts refer to this blouse as the “Amy” style; if so, it is currently available at a number of retailers, including asos.
Via asos
The blouse is shown at approximately $135, comparable to what it has sold for previously. From the asos description:
“Pure silk blouse by Whistles. Featuring a concealed button through style and grandad collar, with twin pockets to the chest, notched side hem detail and long blouson sleeves.”
The blouse is also for sale at John Lewis, although US customers may be disappointed, as this retailer does not ship outside the UK.
John Lewis
The Standard reports the blouse is being reissued this Friday, April 1. However, according to that publication’s Fashion Editor, Laura Craik, the “new” blouse is named “The Kate”. It clearly bears significant style differences from the Amy blouse. Below, the Kate blouse as shown in The Standard.
Via The Evening Standard
Via Whistles
Ivory woven silk blouse with a frill detail at the centre front finished with an eyelash trim. Style also features a grandad collar, a full concealed button placket at the centre front with one button exposed on the collar, dropped shoulder seams with subtle gathering and long sleeves with a button cuff and faggoting. Blouse is a loose fit and has a shaped stepped hem. 100% Silk. Model is wearing size 10, length from back neck to hem 65cm.
The blouse is offered at £125.00.
Jane Shepherdson, chief executive officer of Whistles, said: “We are delighted that Katherine has chosen to wear Whistles in her engagement photographs.”
However, Ms. Shepherdson does not consider Kate to be an enormous marketing boost, at least not from the quotes in this Telegraph story:
While some labels are desperate for Kate Middleton to wear their clothes, the boss of one brand that she does favour appears unenthusiastic.
“She’s very pretty, an English rose, but she’s not necessarily who we’re aiming at,” says Jane Shepherdson, the chief executive of Whistles, which made the embroidered blouse worn by Kate in her official engagement portrait. “We dress a wide range of people.”
She adds at the Birds Eye View Film Festival in London: “I don’t think Kate’s made a difference to sales: maybe a few hundred pounds. A pretty dress is a pretty dress; it’s going to sell, regardless.”
If that is the case I wonder why the “reissued blouse” is named The Kate?
Gemma
Monday 4th of April 2011
I don't think the blouse in the photo is the 'Amy' style - it looks a lot more like the reissued Kate. You can see one of the rosettes on the front of the blouse in the photo - it looks more like that than a pocket. What do you think?