We are back with a look at several collections by designers the Duchess wears, including some current season styles (a bit of resort, but primarily spring), as well as pre-fall and fall looks from recent runway shows. We’ll also share updates on discounts that make Kate-related items more pocketbook-friendly.
Our first group is by Paule Ka.
Paule Ka
These are all from the designer’s spring/summer collection.
Paule Ka
It isn’t difficult to envision Kate wearing many of these pieces.
Paule Ka
Multi-brand retailer YOOX carries a broad selection from the company, including a solid offering of pieces on sale. Neiman Marcus has some of the styles in stock, it is taking pre-orders for others. This Ruched Matter Jersey dress looks ‘very Kate’.
Neiman Marcus
A note for those in the city (or who may be visiting the New York area), the first Paule Ka store has opened.
Paule Ka
Elegant and inviting.
Paule Ka Facebook
Paule Ka also released images from its pre-fall collection, we’ll share just a few looks.
Paule Ka Courtesy Photos
One reason I wanted to look at some of these styles? So I could share a snippet from the Women’s Wear Daily review:
With a youthful Marianne Faithfull as inspiration, a Swinging London air breezed over Paule Ka’s pre-fall collection.
While the volume in short dresses and skirts referenced Mary Quant, the old-school couture elements, like twisted and draped belts in pastel-hued lace and satin, were more fit for an English queen.
I thought that last sentence might make a few readers grin.
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Now we move to some sales and savings opportunities, starting with Bobbi Brown’s Friends and Family sale.
Bobbi Brown
I sometimes forget that not everyone has been following Kate’s style as long as many of us, clarity on the topic often comes in the form of email inquiries: there have been several recently asking about the makeup Kate wore on her wedding day, and/or wears now. For newer readers, Kate used Bobbi Brown cosmetics for her wedding. From Bobbi Brown:
We are proud to confirm that Bobbi Brown Cosmetics makeup artist Hannah Martin provided makeup artistry assistance to members of the bridal party for the Royal Wedding. We wish to respect the privacy of all those involved, and therefore will not be releasing further details.
This is a chart the company released showing product details for those interested in achieving Kate’s look.
Bobbi Brown
Full disclosure, I am a longtime fan of the company’s products, so the 20% discount is a great way to save on something I use daily. For those not as familiar with Bobbi Brown, shipping is free on orders totaling $65 or more; the company also offers free returns on foundation, powder and concealers.
Bobbi Brown
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Also today, the Nordstrom shoe clearance is underway. There are several Sledge ‘copyKates’ on sale, including the Cole-Haan ‘Chelsea’ pump on the far left below (originally $298, now $199.90), favored by many who want the look of the Sledge but with a lower heel; in the center we show the Vince Camuto ‘Desti’ pump ($59.90); LK Bennett’s Sledge is not on sale in Kate’s light taupe, however, the Tortoise Shell is 50% off, bringing the price down to $182.49.
Nordstrom
There are also discounted Aquatalia styles in the Nordstrom sale, but the Rhumba, New Dry and Royal are not marked down. The Aquatalia Roma bootie is considered by some a good stand-in for the Royal; it is marked down from $450 to $314.98.
Nordstrom
Aquatalia’s Rhumba is on sale at Zappo’s, offered in black, anthracite and taupe suede. The boots are discounted to $489 from $698, available in larger sizes only from what I can see.
Two quick FYIs:
- One apparel FYI: the LK Bennett UK website is still showing the Detroit Dress as available in limited sizing.
- A final note for any WKWers in the Los Angeles area: Brittany Davidson is hosting a fun event this Thursday night at the Beverly Center LK Bennett. Drawings and 20% off the spring collection!
LK Bennett
We’ll be back in a few days, with more designs from Australian and New Zealand labels.
Samantha
Monday 22nd of February 2021
No matter what dress Kate would wear she is still pretty.
Penelope
Sunday 2nd of March 2014
The Paul Ka collection, even though appropriate for the duchess, somehow doesn't do the rick for me. It might be they way they clothes are styled on the models, they look a bit too conservative, serious looking for the duchess. I can't quite put my finger on it why.
I own her Erdem dress she wore at Manchester, and even though I was certain I would return it when I ordered on sale from net-a-porter, I fell in love with it for its originality and elegance. The print is not fussy as I had though. I read other reviews an how Erdem dresses look heavy and with fussy prints, and i see why a lot of women would not find the day dress the duchess has worn from the designer appealing (especially the grey one at the trooping of the colour and the Manchester one; the two worn in Canada were loved by readers because they didn't look so 'heavy'). It think one of the mean reason is that thy were not particularly evening dresses and most women would not know where to wear such dresses in the day. I think there is sth regal about his dresses and yes they cannot be worn so easily, but the duchess falls in this category hence I think she suites some of them very well. One thing the duchess has influenced about my dressing, is that I now like even more than before, dressing up for the day (usually on some Saturdays when we go put for lunch with my husband and my two year old twins) than dressing up for the evening. I have worn the Manchester erdem dress for lunch at a fancy restaurant and I really enjoyed it. The dress stood out compared to what others wore.
A month ago I bought the filmato dresses from max mara studio which feel reminded me the duchess lace pale grey one from jenny parckham worn on tour:
http://gb.maxmara.com/p-6221144706003-filmato-powder
I could totally see they duchess wear such a dress, the lace appearing from the pleats gives such a soft feel to the dress. Really elegant and sophisticated.
There are also other dresses with navy prints I could see her wear.
Susan, have you thought of including max mara (studio) and alice by temperley in the designers for the tour? Alice features styles that could work for the duchess like the Louis dress:
http://www.temperleylondon.com/shop/louis-print-dress.html
The nancy top and skirt are so similar to the broderie anglaise by Alexander McQeen worn at the previous tour. I guess she would again wear sth so similar.
Finally, I'm sure regular followers have see that this season Alexander McQueen has some ready to wear pieces that could work for the duchess including:
https://www.net-a-porter.com/product/408782
https://www.net-a-porter.com/product/408793
amongst others.
admin
Sunday 2nd of March 2014
Hello Penelope, and *thank you* for such a fabulous comment! I have ALICE by Temperley and Alexander McQueen on the list, as well as McQ by Alexander McQueen, and have pulled some photos, but to be honest, I didn't even think of MaxMara - that is a great suggestion. You're wonderful to take the time to put together such a helpful comment, I know others will enjoy the links as much as I did!
ali
Sunday 2nd of March 2014
i posted before but in looking back over the selections the shapes are very similar but it is all the lace stuff Erdem does that is awful and the pink thing Paule Ka did was awful. But frankly both designers look over,over forty to me and nothing I as an over fifty would even wear. The few straight forward fitted shift type dresses I would wear but everyone makes those...
Nancy Robertson
Saturday 1st of March 2014
Love the Paule Ka and think almost anything by this designer would be chic and lovely on Kate. Don't like the fussy, frumpy Erdem at all.
Brenda
Friday 28th of February 2014
I love Erdem, and remember that Kate has the ability to take runway pieces and tweak them to fit her requirements. In any case, I'm glad Susan takes the time to go through the collections and come up with possibilities. I don't find any of these clothes to be offensive, I think it's simply a matter of personal taste.
It isn't likely that the Duchess would be wearing Oscar de la Renta, but there are a number of pretty dresses in his Spring 2014 collection that would be perfect for you. Scroll down on this page to spot them.
http://www.net-a-porter.com/Shop/Search?keywords=oscar