A Kensington Gardens Walk, Fall Fashion Sneak Peek & Grimsby Messages to Kate

We are back with a mix of topics, beginning with a glance at Kate’s visit to Kensington Gardens earlier this week. Our thanks to Jennifer K, a wonderful What Kate Wore Facebook friend, she got in touch Tuesday to let us know her sister had seen Kate out for a walk, and shared this photo of Kate in Kensington Gardens. If you look to the far left you can see Royal Pooch Lupo is accompanying the Duchess, it appears she was chatting with a friend of hers, Trini Foyle.

Courtesy WKW Facebook Friend Jennifer K.

Kate was in familiar pieces, many will recognize her LK Bennett Darwin jacket, now sold out everywhere to the best of my knowledge. The footwear will also look familiar to Kate fashion followers, she is wearing her oft-seen Le Chameau Vierzon Nord boots. Even though the picture is a little fuzzy it appears Kate is in her pink cashmere John Lewis jumper (sweater), we show Kate wearing it at Clarence House just days before her wedding.

Splash News/John Lewis

Our thanks again to Jennifer and her sister for their generosity in sharing the photo with us all.

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Many readers are aware Paris Fashion Week is underway. It is the last of the four major fashion weeks featuring fall 2013 collections. Today we’ll sample the styles shown by two designers Kate is fond of, beginning with Emilia Wickstead’s show at London Fashion Week.

Below, dusty pink ensembles, with modifications many of these would work for Kate. The mini-dress on the far right looks “very Kate” to me, obviously length is an issue.

It’s no secret I am a fan of this line, the clean lines and tailored styles are elements I like in apparel. But I’d rather we hear from a professional, this insight is from Vogue UK’s review:

To begin came checks and plaids and houndstooths (ticking the seasonal trend boxes too), which you’d think should look heavy but worked into dainty dresses or bracelet-length jackets via wisps of fabric for the former and sleek lines for the latter were entirely feminine and the tailoring at no point felt abrupt or confrontational.

Another collection of styles, some look like they would work for Kate right now. The red coat seems particularly appropriate, it has a very forgiving silhouette.

From the Women’s Wear Daily show review:

The designer showed an accomplished and polished collection of demure dresses, coats, and trousers that should prove popular with her well-heeled clientele.

While not a fan of the mustard color seen in several pieces, the tailoring looks outstanding. Early in her career, Ms. Wickstead worked at Giorgio Armani and Narciso Rodriguez, those influences can be seen in her designs. I can envision Kate next fall in the coat-dresses seen below, but the trapeze top in the center photo is another garment that could work very well for her right now.

More from Vogue UK:

You have to be a certain type of woman to fit into Emilia Wickstead’s wardrobe bracket. She’s a designer that does elegance through and through. But what you think is conservative always gets turned on its head to conjure up collections that are always innately feminine.

Vogue UK:

She gave us rose prints for romantic moments and compounded her point with peach-nude shades of lace in column gowns dotted with pearls. A more youthful version came by way of a swingy Sixties shift in teal plaid, punctuated with beads.

“You just want to be that woman,” summed up Vogue fashion features director Sarah Harris.

It isn’t hard to imagine Kate in many of these pieces next fall, it will be fun to see if she elects to wear any.

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We move on to Orla Kiely for next fall, this year’s show was based in an imaginary office setting from the 1960s. I enjoyed the notion of the young women of the secretarial pool working together, but seeing the styles in a less distracting environment made it easier to appreciate the clothing.

Orla Kiely Courtesy Photos

This is another designer I like, although I don’t believe the majority of her creations are ideal for Kate. Some can be overly “girlish” or cute. Reaction to the presentation from the Irish Times:

The Orla Kiely installation reminded me slightly (only slightly) of 9 to 5, the Dolly Parton musical that recently showed at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre. Girls in prim pastels, knitted jumpers and textured and patterned jackets tapped away at vintage typewriters for the assembled press and buyers. It was a cute touch, but perhaps too Orla Kiely for even Orla Kiely.

While it is enjoyable to have a sneak peek at what fall fashion will look like, I think many of us are eager for spring styles. Below, a glance at several Orla Kiely styles available now. These are from the designer’s pre-spring collection: the Crepe Blend Sleeveless Dress ($458 ), Little Galleon Print Shirt Dress in midnight ($428), and the Half Milano Coat in navy ($388).

Orla Kiely Pre-Spring Collection

We’ll have more fall styles to show in an upcoming post.

A reminder about upcoming shows of interest: Roland Mouret is tomorrow (Friday 3.1.2013) morning. One element we have advance photos of is the designer’s handbag collection, which launches at PFW.

Roland Mouret Courtesy Photos

Stella McCartney is Monday, Elie Saab is Wednesday. There is no Alexander McQueen runway show this year, as Sarah Burton is on maternity leave.  However, there is supposed to be “an intimate presentation,” the PFW schedule has McQueen on the schedule Tuesday.

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Finally, an update on Tuesday’s visit to Grimsby, only the second official engagement Kate has had since her pregnancy was announced. I believe this is the order of events:

• Kate’s first stop will be the Fishing Heritage Centre
• She will then spend time at Humberside Fire and Rescue Service
• her final stop is at Havelock Academy

The Grimsby Telegraph is collecting messages to be compiled into a presentation for Kate:

Send us your messages for Kate, which will be presented to her on the big day, by e-mailing newsdesk@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk, tweeting us using #gykate, or commenting on any story on the Royal visit at www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk.

LINKAGE:

• To see all of the a/w 2013 Emilia Wickstead collection, visit Vogue UK (you can also look at previous collections)
• For all of the Orla Kiely looks, click here for Elle UK
• Visit the This is Grimsby website, follow the Facebook page or Twitter feed