We are back with several updates, starting with two new engagements for the Duke and Duchess in Wales this weekend.
- Saturday, Nov. 8: Kate and William visit the Valero Pembroke oil refinery located in southwest Wales
- Saturday, Nov. 8: Kate and William will attend the rugby match between Wales and Australia at Millenium Stadium. The match begins at 2:30pm local time, that is 9:30am ET. Prince William is Vice Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union; the Queen is the organization’s Patron. Majesty Magazine reports the Duke and Duchess will “observe the Remembrance Tribute at the start of the match, and privately meet injured servicemen in the President’s Box during half-time.”
Additionally, this Sunday is Remembrance Sunday, always an important date in the royal calendar. This year holds special significance as the Centenary of WWI is being commemorated. We don’t yet know if Kate will attend the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph, but I expect she will watch the ceremony as she has in previous years. More on the event from the Royal British Legion:
“Remembrance Sunday, the second Sunday in November, is the day traditionally put aside to remember all those who have given their lives for the peace and freedom we enjoy today. On this day people across the nation pause to reflect on the sacrifices made by our brave Service men and women.
As always, the observance begins with two minutes of silence at 11am BT, 6am ET/3am PT.
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Next, a quick look at a piece in today’s Daily Mail critiquing the colors Kate wears. It’s an interesting story, one that has stirred comment on the WKW FB page.
…while she looked every inch the glamorous princess on the Tuesday at an awards ceremony at the Natural History Museum, on Wednesday during an Action on Addiction gala dinner fashion watchers described her as looked [sic] rather more washed out.
Why? Is it because she was attending her third event in two days. Because she is the mother of a 15-month-old toddler? Or because she is 13 weeks pregnant with her second child? None of the above according to certain style experts, who say it is because she doesn’t always choose colours that suit her complexion.
Splash/Splash/Splash/PA Wire
The expert quoted in the article, Melissa Nicholson, uses the decades-old seasonal color palette in determining what works for Kate and what doesn’t, in her estimation. From Ms. Nicholson’s perspective:
…the shades that compliment Kate’s skin tone…are from the ‘summer’ palette, which means she looks her best in clothes with a blue tint rather than a yellow one.
‘It is quite obvious that Kate is a summer,’ she said. ‘I would say her best shades are French navy, airforce blue, aubergine, plum, burgundy, soft berry and grey (anything from silver to slate).
You can see the entire story here.
We have been enjoying an interesting dialogue on the WKW Facebook page about Kate’s Alexander McQueen coat, seen in October when the Duke and Duchess took part in official welcoming ceremonies for Singaporean President of Singapore and his wife, Mrs. Tony Tan Keng Yam.
L: James Veysey/Splash News, R: Polaris Images
The topic involved my curiosity about the panel in the back of Kate’s coat highlighted below.
Nunn Syndication/Polaris Images
I solicited input from the WKW Facebook Community on why there was a panel at that location in Kate’s garment. A broad group of ideas was shared, including these:
- Some thought it might be a an accommodation of Kate’s pregnancy, or an element that would allow the coat to be altered after the pregnancy so it could be worn when Kate is back to her standard size. I don’t believe this is the case; removing that large a piece from the garment would require dramatic alterations, if they would even be possible.
- You may have noticed the plaid pattern on the coat was matched meticulously at the seams, on the pockets, etc.. Several comments related to the panel being a way to help align the pattern where the upper and lower segments of the coat meet in the back of the garment.
WKW Facebook Page
- There were other comments about the additional fabric providing stability and/or a more tailored fit, as well as ensuring the garment lays properly, even in situations where the Duchess is highly mobile, shaking hands, bending over and chatting with children, etc. Meredith H. has spent many years working in theatrical costume shops and wedding boutiques. She believes the panel is “a continuity and shaping panel. They’re used in couture sewing to maintain shape and strengthen garments when there are a lot of panels. They’re also used to stabilize certain fabrics and prevent skirts from pulling on bodice seams.” Others shared similar sentiments, although not with this degree of detail.
I believed the plaid-matching could be the reason, and thought Meredith’s comments about providing continuity and shaping made sense. It appears that matching the plaid probably wasn’t the motivation, as a very similar piece from the pre-spring/summer 2015 collection helps demonstrate. First, similarities between Kate’s coat and that piece, next year’s Box Pleat A-Line coat. (I apologize for not digitally enhancing the product images, it is a challenge to see some of the details I am referencing.)
Alexander McQueen/Polaris Images/Alexander McQueen/Polaris Images
The coat from s/s 2015 is described as a “wool/silk button A-line coat.” Again, it is a little tough to see, but the waist, slanted pockets and front (or side) pleating on the skirt appear to be almost identical. The biggest distinction is the actual bodice and front closure; the McQueen website refers to an “insert jacket,” something Kate’s coat doesn’t have. Hers has a more standard front closure with peak lapels.
UPDATE: Our commenter privately shared that Kate’s does have that same box pleat, she believes Kate’s is simply pressed flatter.
It is at the back where our anonymous commenter points out the most distinctive similarity. I color-treated the product image below left to highlight the inserted panel that is located at the same place as the panel on Kate’s coat.
Alexander McQueen/Polaris Images
The back of the garment is almost identical to that worn by the Duchess. It has the same cut on the top and the bottom is very similar, but it doesn’t appear Kate’s has the box pleat.
L: Nunn Syndication/Polaris R: Jeff Moore/Splash News
We learned about the coat’s similarities via contact from a WKW friend who would prefer to stay under the radar; our thanks to her for pointing out the similarities between the Duchess’s coat and next spring’s garment. Many thanks as well to everyone taking part in the conversation. I am eager to hear any other suggestions from our readers here.
BTW, the coat is available for pre-ordering but you may need to get into the piggybank; next spring’s piece will set your pocketbook back $3595.
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An update now on the belt worn for the October 23rd Autumn Gala Evening held by one of Kate’s patronages, Action on Addiction. We referenced the belt briefly in an update to our post about that event, but we can better show details using photos from that evening. Below, Kate wearing Temperley London’s ‘Emblem Flare’ dress at the Action on Addicton benefit.
Stephen Lock/i-Images/Polaris
In the photo above (and others from the gala) it looks like the Duchess is wearing the grosgrain belt that is actually seen in product images of another Temperley dress, the ‘Amoret’ gown Kate wore for the War Horse premiere and Saint Andrews dinner. Below we show the two different belts: on the left you see a closeup from last week; in the center we show product shots of the Temperley London Amoret gown with its grosgrain fabric belt; on the right we see a closeup of Kate in the Amoret gown as she heads in to the Saint Andrews dinner in January 2012.
Splash News/Temperley London/Splash News
The belt Kate wore with the Amoret gown is velvet, not the grosgrain material shown in the product images. My guess is that it also came from Temperley, but it could just as well be from Topshop or Zara.
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A few quick product updates, beginning with Kate’s Bibi sneakers/plimsolls from Mint Velvet ($165, £89). The shoes are back in stock, available in all sizes.
Mint Velvet
If interested in a pair of Kate’s Imperia wedges at Dune you might want to move quickly. *Very* limited sizing remains in the black Kate has worn, and only larger sizes are available in the off-white color.
PA Wire/Pied a Terre
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Sales & Savings notes:
- Our pals at Grazia are wrapping up their special promotional offer with LK Bennett taking 25% off most full-priced merchandise. Use promo code GRW14 at checkout to receive your discount. If interested, be advised the offer expires at midnight Tuesday, Nov. 5.
- Nordstrom‘s clearance event officially begins Wednesday, but much of the merchandise is already available online
- Luisa via Roma has a sizable amount of merchandise on sale; receive an additional 20% off by using promo code SH2060. A few of the brands you will find at the upscale boutique: Erdem, Alexander McQueen, Mulberry, Tod’s, and Jimmy Choo. Some will recall Kate’s red Luisa Spagnoli suit came from the shop.
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Thursday we will have an update on the amazing poppy project at the Tower of London. Until then, we leave you with a related tidbit: British intelligence and security firm GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters) kicked off Gloucestershire County’s Poppy Appeal by making an enormous human poppy, recording it in a splendid time lapse for a You Tube video.
GCHQ You Tube Video
We will see you for more on the Tower Poppies later this week.
LINKAGE:
- visit the Welsh Rugby League website here,the organization’s Facebook page is here
- click this link to watch the Joss Stone Poppy Appeal music video
- see more photos from the GCHQ human poppy by clicking here
- in the US readers the American Legion sells poppie products here, and this VFW page has details about its poppy program
Sydney Redfearn
Wednesday 11th of March 2015
Noticed that McQueen just released a coat, exactly like Kate's...?
http://www.alexandermcqueen.com/us/alexandermcqueen/coat_cod41497460cn.html
Jennifer
Wednesday 5th of November 2014
In looking at the article from the DM, I noticed that in one of the photos (Kate in the off white crepe gown), Kate's toenails are polished. I don't think I've ever seen her with painted toes, or fingernails. Can someone tell me whether they think she has an aversion to wearing nail polish, or whether British women of her stature, or class, simply don't tend to wear nail polish? Seems to me that Diana had her nails "done" frequently after she stopped biting them.
Lili
Thursday 6th of November 2014
She wears fingernail polish, but in very natural shades -- pale, transparent pinks and nudes. And no, it doesn't have anything to do with her "class". William's mother certainly did wear colored polish.
That polish worn with the sandals and the cream Mouret gown was unusual and occasioned some comment (much of it negative, because she wore it only on her toenails, not her fingernails). I can't be sure, of course, but I think she really prefers the manicured but natural look. The Duchess of Cornwall gave her a special manicure, as a gift, right before her wedding, and if I'm remembering correctly, the manicurist later remarked that she had wanted very natural-looking polish.
KitKat
Wednesday 5th of November 2014
I'm excited for the upcoming appearances, hopefully new clothes and not the usual casual outfit she wears. NOTE: Edited by Admin
KitKat
Wednesday 5th of November 2014
I think its silly you edited this. I guess I won't be commenting anymore. Btw, I didn't say anything mean about Kate. You talked about upcoming appearances. I said something about one of her missed ones. Same thing. But it doesn't matter. I won't comment again!
Lorna
Tuesday 4th of November 2014
I do love WKW and check it religiously for any Kate update (I am both a fashionista and a royalist so this site is like a dream!). I really admire the time and dedication you put into this site (especially during royal tours) to keep us all updated but I do always wonder why you reference or even pay any attention to the Daily Mail??! I only ask because you put such thorough work and research into creating this top quality website only to reference a website that can't even be bothered to use spell-check or proof read their posts?! They also regularly produce factually inaccurate content or content just to cause controversy. This isn't meant to be a negative comment in any way… I just feel that sometimes the Daily Mail writes (very poor) articles unfairly criticizing Kate just get page hits.
admin
Wednesday 5th of November 2014
Hello Lorna, and thanks for posting such a good question/comment. It's not the first time I have been asked, it's is the first time the topic has been raised in a comment. As someone who grew up in a print household (my father was a publisher) I am a stickler for punctuation, spelling, etc., despite falling short (dreadfully at times) in the punctuation arena myself. Many times the paper is cited because of its photo-heavy coverage of Kate, I'm not sure I know of another site offering the Mail's volume of oversize pictures. In terms of specific writers, the paper's royal correspondent, Rebecca English, is often quoted because her coverage is very good. As a rule other reporters cover the more 'controversial' fashion-related stories, like the article quoted in this post about the colors Kate wears, or a today piece in the paper about a new study looking at Kate's influence and fashion status (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2821850/Lauren-Pope-Binky-Felstead-influential-style-stakes-Duchess-Cambridge.html), a story first covered by fashion industry bible Women's Wear Daily, and a topic I'll be following up on in a future post. A contributing factor is that another newspaper I used fairly heavily, the Daily Telegraph, is now behind a paywall. The Observer, Guardian and Times either don't offer as much coverage, or relevant content is restricted behind a paywall. Obviously the Daily Mail's coverage is driven by stories that draw eyeballs and/or sell hard copies of the newspaper, as well as stirring debate and creating controversy. The typos, misspellings and other issues are annoying, to be sure. But in terms of the volume of coverage and accompanying photos the Mail is a resource that I think benefits readers. Thanks again for the question! :)
Lorna
Tuesday 4th of November 2014
There's me saying the Daily Mail don't proof-read and I drop a "to" in the last line. So typical. Also I think the detail about the panel on the back of the Alexander McQueen coat is fab. The panel really shows what you can expect from a real high quality piece doesn't it?
Alyssa
Tuesday 4th of November 2014
I am by no means familiar with high end designers or clothing, but I wonder - Kate's coat is so similar to the black Alexander McQueen that I wonder if it is not just the style of the coat. BUT, knowing it was being made for Kate, if the designer didn't take extra special care to make sure the pattern would match up. The panel adds a bit of interest to the garment I think, so I vote it is just a stylistic thing. I guess we will never really know for sure though.