Kate Bits & Bytes, Updates & A Denim Discount

We wanted to share a few items we haven’t yet covered here in the blog, some readers may have already seen a few of these posted on the WKW Facebook wall, hopefully there won’t be too much repetition. We begin with a few quick merchandise updates:

• Our thanks to Anna Marie for alerting us on FB that Burberry is re-releasing the trench Kate wore to Northern Ireland this March. In correspondence, the company told her the coat will be available this fall, as Anna Marie recalls, the retail price is in the $1200 range.

• Saks still has the DVF Maja dress in green available in sizes 10 & 12, and is taking pre-orders on other sizes
• The Reiss boutique at Bloomingdale’s opened last month, those not able to get to any of the Reiss stores in the city can visit the boutique inside Bloomie’s flagship store on 59th Street. One heads-up, don’t look for Reiss merchandise online at Bloomingdale’s site, the 700 square feet inside Bloomingdale’s is leased by Reiss as part of an effort to build brand awareness in the United States.

We have an update about the display of Kate’s wedding dress and accessories at Buckingham Palace (more here), there were multiple reports this week that the exhibit is bringing in record numbers.

From a story in People magazine:

“At this rate, by the time the exhibit and tour close down on Oct. 3 some 500,000 visitors are expected to have filed by the gown.

As The Express reports, the number of people visiting the exhibits at this year’s Summer Opening is much higher than usual.

“This is up by 20 per cent on last year and a record for the period, said the Royal Collection. Usually all the money from the summer opening goes to the Royal ­Collection for the maintenance and conservation of the collection. But this summer’s takings will include a donation to ­William and Catherine’s wedding charity fund – which has already topped £1million – and will benefit 26 good causes.

The exhibit runs through October 3, tickets are still available, the cost is $28 USD, £17.50. Purchasing ahead of time is the best way to ensure you are able to get in, visit the Royal Collection to learn more.

Next, Kate covers another issue of Hello! magazine.

In this issue the topic is “Kate’s Wardrobe Secrets”. For those who don’t subscribe and are unable to purchase a copy of the magazine at a newsstand, you can download a digital issue.  The price is only £2, a little over $3 in the US.

Two more celebrities have weighed in on Kate’s style, speaking about The Duchess’s appeal from a fashion perspective. In an interview with New York magazine’s The Cut blog, Queen Latifah shared her appreciation for Kate’s style.

I think she has a great fashion sense. I think she has a great sense of taste, and she seems just like a girl’s girl, and she knows how to have fun with the boys. I don’t think she should change anything about what she’s done and just be herself and not worry too much about what everyone thinks because that’s when you start making the wrong choices.

When asked how she would style Kate, here’s what the Queen said:

I’d probably give her a pair of my skinny moto jeans and a fresh moto jacket with a cool tank, and I’d probably get her a nice pair of Ralph Lauren boots, throw her on a cool-ass motorcycle and tell her to go. But that’s just me. I’m standing in New York, looking over the city, and I like to see a little ruggedness.

Also sharing her fondness for Kate’s style, Sarah Jessica Parker, albeit *very* briefly. Here is the mention from a live Twitter interview with Glamour magazine. When asked “Do you have a style icon?” the actress responded:

So many. Ingrid Bergman & the way Kate Moss dresses & the Duchess of Cambridge.”

One more item we also neglected to talk about previously, Kate’s appearance on Vanity Fair’s International Best Dressed list.

For the first time as a member of the British royal family, Kate Middleton makes her way onto the International Best-Dressed List, her inaugural appearance came in 2008, and a whirlwind of fashion successes since has earned her a nod this year. She’s captivated the world with her signature mix of high and low fashion.

Not only is she on the list, the Duchess is at the top of the list.

For those unfamiliar with Vanity Fair’s presentation of its Best Dressed lists, the story is always presented as data points with one’s name, occupation, etc.; here is how Kate was shown in the magazine.

H.R.H. The Duchess of Cambridge

OCCUPATION: Wife of the future King of England. RESIDENCES: Anglesey, Wales; Kensington Palace. SIGNATURE ITEMS OF CLOTHING: Issa wrap dresses, Alexander McQueen wedding gown, Reiss Nannette dress worn in engagement-portrait session with Mario Testino. SCENT: White Gardenia Petals, by Illuminum. JEWELRY: Sapphire engagement ring, originally worn by Prince William’s mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. STYLE PREDECESSORS: Princess Grace, Princess Diana. CAUSE: Starlight Children’s Foundation, which provides entertainment, education, and family activities for seriously ill children.

Next, a reminder sure to please most Kate fans in the USA: Zara’s online store for US shoppers opens this Wednesday. Below, two styles from the fall season.

Zara’s US website looks just the way its overseas pages appear.

One item of note, the two-tone skirt Kate purchased in July is shown on the site.

The skirt is a polyester/rayon blend with 2% elastane for stretch, it is priced at $49.90 USD.

Since we are speaking about some of Kate’s favorite brands, we want to share a special savings opportunity for WKW readers, especially for those fond of the Hudson jeans Kate wears.

Premium denim boutique Jeanography is giving our readers a 10% discount on all merchandise, not just its Hudson denim collection. Below we show two pair of Hudson jeans Kate has been seen in, on the left the Collin Signature Skinny in the Stockport wash, on the right, the Carly Flap Pocket Straight Leg in the Black Ice wash.

The company has both styles in a broad range of sizes. To receive the discount use promo code KATEWORE at checkout. Jeanography is based in the UK and offers free shipping to customers there, but they do not yet ship to the US or Canada; the company recommends customers in those locations use a service that expedites shipping to other countries, like Forward 2 Me.