The Duchess wore Temperley London for this evening’s Action on Addiction Autumn Gala.
Jeff Moore / Splash News
The event was held at a restaurant in London’s East End, L’Anima. Kate has been the charity’s Royal Patron since January of 2012. More on the evening’s events from Richard Palmer’s story in the Daily Express:
During a pre-dinner reception the Duchess met charity supporters and heard a speech by Action on Addiction Chairman John Lloyd, followed by a performance by comedian Rory Bremner.
On her previous two engagements, she has left before a meal but tonight she was staying for dinner at the award-winning restaurant.
In a foreword for the programme tonight, Kate wrote: “During the time I have spent with clients and staff I have been privileged to see the phenomenal work which the charity undertakes to improve the lives of those affected by addiction.
Stephen Lock/i-Images/Polaris
The Duchess wore a piece from Temperley London’s pre-fall 2014 collection, the brand’s Emblem Flare dress. The frock is “inspired by stained glass ironwork and woven from a lightweight cotton-blend yarn.”
Andrew Parsons/i-Images/Polaris
Andrew Parsons/i-Images/Polaris
Interestingly, the dress has no zipper, it simply slips on over the head. The black fabric is 58% cotton, 42% rayon, and 29% elastane. The nude lining is 100% rayon. Back to Rebecca English’s story in the Mail:
Wearing a rather daring new black cocktail dress featuring slashed nude panels by Temperley London, with her long hair curled and flowing, she walked along a pink carpet as she entered the award-winning restaurant.
Jeff Moore / Splash News
Here is a better look at the intricate weave on portions of the dress.
Splash News/Temperley London
More on the look from The Daily Mirror:
It’s a marked departure from Kate’s more conservative day dresses, but the slightly edgy frock looked great on her with its “slashed neckline and scooped back”.
Justin Tallis/AFP/GoffPhotos.com
The style is not for everyone; many dislike the open-work detailing on the fabric. It is a look Kate appreciates, not surprising given her fondness for lace and pieces with an open-weave design. A downside for tonight’s look was the impact of very bright flash photography, revealing what appears to be the need for nude undergarments.
UPDATE: Lulu In The Palace makes a very good point in her comment, noting that “The dress comes with a full slip. The dress is low in the back. No bra shows. When you wear something black with a light colored slip, the flash of the lights makes it look much more “see through” than it is. If the slip had been black that would have defeated the whole purpose of the cutouts.”
The issue is really the dress fabric, it is a loosely woven material (see photos above), allowing more light to seep through the fabric, thereby showing the slip. 99.99% of the women wearing this frock wouldn’t have any issues whatsoever. But in last night’s setting the intensity of the photographers’ flash lights created an unusual dilemma for the Duchess.
As usually happens when Kate is seen wearing a specific garment, sales pick up. Quickly. This time is no different: the dress is now only available in XS, S and M sizes at the Temperley London website, where it retails for £595, about $795. Harrod has the dress in M and L sizes.
Kate accessorized with a black bow at the waist, our thanks to DuchessofC2 and Ashley Marie on Twitter for letting us know about the belt.
Justin Tallis/AFP/GoffPhotos.com
For those fond of this particular look, Temperley also offers an Emblem Top (£325).
Temperley London
And an Emblem Sleeved Dress (£495).
Temperley London
Back to Richard Palmer’s story:
Kate also spoke to charity supporter Christopher Holder and kept mum about the gender of her new baby.
“She said she’s loving being here.
“I think there was talk of her heels and there was talk about the baby and I think someone asked the question ‘what is it going to be?’ but she didn’t answer.”
Kate carried a new handbag tonight.
Jeff Moore/Splash
It appears to have a fan motif on the flap. Two more angles.
i-Images/Polaris
We’ve yet to identify this piece; when we do find more information we will update the post.
The Duchess wore the deco-style diamond drop earrings we have seen previously. Below left you see Kate wearing them this evening, in the center photo at Zara Phillips wedding and on Canada Day in 2011.
Splash/Splash/Splash
We saw the return of Kate’s Jimmy Choo Cosmic heels this evening.
SplashNews.com
The black suede pumps have a 4.7″ heel with a 1.2″ platform, so they are not quite as high as they may initially appear. The shoes retail at Jimmy Choo for $695.
Jimmy Choo
The Duchess again looked healthy and relaxed.
SplashNews.com
This was Kate’s third engagement this week.
Splash News/Splash News/i-Images – Polaris
She brought out three of her favorite designers for the three functions (l to r): Alexander McQueen, Jenny Packham and Temperley London. On two of the occasions the Duchess wore styles that were a bit of a departure for her, perhaps a step out of her comfort zone. Both the Jenny Packham gown and Temperley London dress had design elements we’ve not previously seen from the Duchess: the high/low skirt on the Packham gown and scoop back of today’s Temperley dress are just a touch more daring than Kate’s normal look, representing a possible desire on Kate’s part to try slightly riskier looks.
NOTE: the post has been amended to remove a reference to Kate’s belt that said it was the same belt worn with her Temperley Amoret gown. It is not the same. That belt is velvet, today’s is more of a grosgrain or silk.
LINKAGE:
- Read more about Action on Addiction at the organization’s website here, visit the group’s Facebook page here, and see dedicated info on the M-PACT Project by clicking here
- The Daily Mirror’s story and gallery are here, Richard Palmer’s story in The Express is here and The Daily Mail’s photo-driven story is here, PopSugar’s photo spread is here
- ITN‘s raw video may be viewed here, a Sky News gallery of photos is here,
d
Thursday 30th of October 2014
The Duchess looks lovely. I really had to look to notice the slip/bra. those camera flashes certainly are strong. However, at the end of the day the photographers could have colour corrected/photshopped the slip/bra issue.
ElizaMo
Thursday 30th of October 2014
The Facebook button is back!! And Twitter! Sorry if I've been slow to notice, Susan, but thanks very much!!
Fashiophile
Wednesday 29th of October 2014
I prefer Rebecca Deacon's dress (in the background in the first picture) to Kate's dress. The chevron stripes look a bit too much and makes the dress look very busy. But, as always, the Duchess's face is her fortune. She is a lovely looking lady.
The Way We Were
Monday 27th of October 2014
the more i look at the dress, the less i care for it....it would have been much classy if the bodice were solid leaving the cutout details just on the sleeves. i do think it's a very good shape, though.
Renee in California
Sunday 26th of October 2014
I have a question? This concerns the Temperley dress, which I like very much. I think Kate very rarely goes wrong on her own. In this case when the dress photographs differently indoors as opposed to having 10,000,000 watts of light thrown on it, do you think there will be a discussion between Kate and the Temperley people?
I'm pretty sure the palace is going to have plenty to say about it. First, they the situation of NO pantyhose with her beautiful evening sandals (thank you Kate) and now this. Photos of your camisole, lining, bra, slip, whatever, actually showing off your breasts. I don't want them to beat her down over this sort of "how was I supposed to know" situation. After all, what other royal woman needs to worry about THAT many cameras. Perhaps her Majesty, then again maybe not.
I love Kate. I admire the fact that she takes big risks: e.g. showing up without pantyhose. For all I know, the bigger risk may have been open toed evening shoes. I can't recall seeing any other royal woman wearing them, let along without stockings. Kate is awesome. I'm so glad she's back and better then ever. You go girl!
Claire
Monday 27th of October 2014
I don't think 'tights or no tights' (as we call pantyhose on this side of the pond) is a particularly controversial issue these days, even within the Royal family - I don't see that as a risky move, and I agree that tights with open-toed sandals isn't a good look.
Kate
Sunday 26th of October 2014
Renee,
I'm going to help you out here. Google the "young queen elizabeth dressed up" and you will see lots of pics of the Queen with open-toed shoes. One with her meeting the pres of u.s. Wearing stockings? You can't tell from the pics.
I will say this...Catherine was not at an official Royal event. She wasn't in the presence of the Queen. She wasn't there to represent the Queen. This makes a difference in how she can choose to dress.
In terms of showing her undergarments, I don't think it's a really big deal. When you consider the low-cut, off the shoulder numbers the Queen wore in her young years, and the high hemmed dresses Princess Anne wore in the 60's, I really don't think it's a big deal.
Much is made of protocol, but this is ridiculous press pronouncements. The Palace protocol is not as strict as the media would have you believe. Check out the film on YouTube taken during the Queen's 40th year on the throne. You will see a very relaxed and humble Queen - in her own voice.