Kate Brings Back Orla Kiely for Mentoring Program Engagement

Kate opted to bring back an Orla Kiely dress for today’s engagement with a children’s mentoring program in Islington, London.

The function was with Chance UK, an early intervention mentoring program for children ages 5 to 11.

Kate being escorted by Lord Lieutenant Mr Kenneth Olisa OBE.

The Duchess was on hand to learn more about the Chance program.

Among other therapies Chance uses art activities in the classroom to help children experiencing challenges with behavior and emotional well-being. Here you see Kate looking at pictures children painted about their emotions. More from The Telegraph:

The organisation – which was set up by a policeman working in Islington in 1995 – now helps more than 200 children across six of London’s borough’s every year.

The Duchess spent time with six children from the programme – one from each borough it works in – with their parents and mentors, to learn about how it has personally benefited them.

It is clearly something that dovetails nicely with her existing patronages and charitable endeavors. The mentoring program also works to introduce more stability and safety into children’s lives while channeling energy to projects that will provide a sense of accomplishment and self-worth.

More on today’s events from Victoria Murphy of the Mirror: “Kate heard a very moving speech from Kessington Ladipo today who was helped by Chance UK as a child. He now helps other young people.”

Kessington sharing a joke with the Duchess, his tutoring started when he was age 10. You could see poppies on a number of people, Remembrance Sunday is not far off, November 8th. Chance UK uses intensive individual mentoring to help children struggling with psychological and behavioral issues. The Duchess met students, program administrators, and others at Islington Town Hall. 

Now to what Kate wore for this afternoon’s engagement. The Duchess brought back an Orla Kiely dress from the designer’s a/w 2011 collection.

Many recognized the dress from back in March 2012 when Kate wore it for a joint engagement with Prince Charles at the Dulwich Picture Gallery. The event was on behalf of Children and the Arts, one of Prince Charles’s patronages.

Another look at Kate arriving at Islington Town Hall.

The dress features a floral motif at the front neck and back neckline, a full pleated skirt, three-quarter sleeves and a self-belt. This gives us a good side-by-side comparison. On the left you see Kate as she arrives for an Art Room engagement in March of 2012, and on the right you see the Duchess today.

This offers perspective on how the dress looks from the back, how the fabric falls.

Kate accessorized with her ‘Power’ pumps by Stuart Weitzman. The shoe remains available in Kate’s black suede at Russell and Bromley.

It is still offered in black patent and adobe at Nordstrom and black patent at Amazon. There is also a deep forest green at Jildor in very limited sizing.

Kate carried her trusty black suede Bayswater clutch by Mulberry; the bag remains available in black leather and many other colors.

For jewelry we saw the pearl drops from Annoushka worn on Kate’s Kiki McDonough Yellow Gold/Diamond Hoops.

Kate also wore her Cartier Ballon Bleu watch.

The watch is offered at Amazon and at Saks in a smaller (28mm) size.

A quick video of Kate’s arrival via Islington Council’s Twitter feed.

A story ten days ago in the Irish Examiner notes that Kate has been good for Orla Kiely’s business.

Last year, the Irish-designer’s business received a boost from the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton after she wore one of Kiely’s designer dress coats.

Other celebrity fans of the brand include Girls creator, author and actor Lena Dunham and actors Keira Knightley, Kirsten Dunst and Zooey Deschanel.

You can view this fall’s Orla Kiely dress collection here.  The designer’s collection of household items and fashion accessories for Target may be seen here.

And here is a look at Kate’s ponytail, always a good look on the Duchess.

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Also today, word about the visit Kate and Prince George made to the Natural History Museum. There have been posts about it on the WKW Facebook wall, more from The Mirror’s Victoria Murphy:

It sounds like the duo had a good time. Kate wore Zara’s Floral Print Trousers ($39.90) seen at the Wales vs England rugby match and a pair of ballet flats we’ve not seen previously. Thanks to My Small Obsessions to the story link. Hello! Canada has a story about the Museum visit here.

We will see you in a few hours for the annual 100 Women in Hedge funds dinner at the Victoria & Albert Museum.

LINKAGE:

• Learn more about Chance UK at the organization’s website here, or visit its Facebook page here, you can follow its Twitter feed here
• The Mirror‘s live blog and recap about today’s engagement is here, the Express article is here, the Telegraph’s story is here and the Daily Mail’s coverage is here,