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It’s a New Label for Kate at the Chelsea Flower Show

The Duchess was in a new dress by a new designer for today’s visit to the Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show.Kate Middleton Rochas dress pictures Chelsea Flower Show

Kate was wearing a silk frock by French fashion house Rochas.Duchess Cambridge pictures Chelsea Flower Show

The Queen also attended the show today; it is said to be one of her favorite spring events.The Royal Family

More from Simon Perry’s People story:

It has become one of the world’s greatest showcases for horticultural excellence, attracting visitors and exhibitors from across the world and is held on the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London — growing from around 240 exhibitors when it started in 1913 to more than 500 today.

Other royals attending the show today included Prince Philip and the Earl and Countess of Wessex.The Royal Family

Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice were also there.The Royal Family Twitter @RoyalFamily

Sir Timothy Laurence is on the right in this photo of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission display.Kate Middleton dress pictures Chelsea Flower Show

HM has been the royal patron of the Horticultural Society since 1952.The Royal Family Twitter @RoyalFamily

Below, the Duchess admiring the David Austen Rose exhibit where she saw the ‘William and Catherine Rose’ named for William and Kate’s royal wedding.  And from The Express:

 The Duchess of Cambridge took her time to speak with designers at the event and looked through the gardens and designs on show.

Duchess of Cambridge visits Chelsea Flower Show

Many of the royals spent time with Mary Berry, former host of the Great British Bake-Off.The Royal Family & Kensington Palace

From an Express story:

While Ms Berry and the Queen shared their delight over the impressive blooms on display, the two also share a love of baking.

The monarch is known to be an enthusiastic home baker, who’s favourite recipes have been published in a new cookbook.

Kate with BBC Radio 2 presenter Chris Evans, who gave the Duchess a tomato to taste.  Kate Middleton 2017 Chelsea Flower Show

The Express has more:

However, he then dropped it on the decking, but the royal still picked it up and ate it. Afterwards she told the Radio 2 DJ: “It’s delicious and sweet.”

It looked like the perfect spring afternoon to be at the show.The Royal Horticultural Society Kate Middleton Rochas

As we mentioned, the Duchess wore a dress by Rochas.©James Whatling

The frock is midi length, crafted of silk crêpe de chine in an emerald and ivory floral print. It features a fitted waist and flared skirt, side slit pockets, exposed back zipper, and silk lining.

In this montage, you can see the exposed zipper on the upper right, as well as the self-belt. I thought Kate’s belt was sitting a little high, but in comparing it to the product photos, it seems to hit at about the same place.The Outnet

The Duchess’s dress was part of the 2016 pre-fall collection. From Vogue’s review of the collection.

The couture-like touch for which the brand is known was in evidence in the use of sumptuous, rich fabrics, yet it was stripped of any retro flavor. Tailoring was of impeccable atelier standards; embellishments, a signature of the house, were used sparingly.

The dress originally sold for $2666, but most recently was on sale at Luisa via Roma for $1845, and even less at The Outnet (Net-a-Porter’s off-price outlet), where it was $975. Our thanks to Japanese Ginger on Twitter for her speedy ID of the dress.

The dress was available in a different cut, and the same print was used in different fabrics in a variety of styles.Rochas

The company was founded by Marcel Rochas in 1925 with “simplicity and youth” as its motto; Alessandro Dell’Acqua is the brand’s creative director, overseeing the company’s devotion to well-tailored feminine designs that are often a little offbeat.

This is Kate’s second visit to the show; last year she re-wore a Catherine Walker coat. That piece was initially seen at engagements in Canberra during the 2014 royal tour.©Splash News/James Whatling, Splash News

The Duchess wore her Monica Vinader Siren Earrings in green onyx ($195).

©James Whatling/Monica Vinader

And her trusty Fern heels by LK Bennett. The shoe is available in very limited sizing on the US website ($345); in mixed sizes on the UK website (£195).

LK Bennett

LK Bennett

UPDATE May 23: Marta, a lovely WKWer sent me a message saying she believes Kate was wearing LK Bennett’s Floret style, not the Fern. The Floret’s heel is 3″, while the Fern is 4″, so there is a significant difference. She owns both pairs and is familiar with both styles. I have not been able to find any photos with a good shot of Kate’s feet, so it’s tough for me to render an opinion; I will keep looking for a better picture.

LK Bennett

LK Bennett

Kate’s hair was in a ponytail.©i-Images/Polaris

For those curious about what Sophie was wearing, Anna of the HRH Countess of Wessex blog says her dress is by Valentino, a piece the Countess has worn once before today’s engagement. Anna adds that Queen Rania also owns this dress. (You can still see the original product listing at Selfridges.)

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Also today, the beginning of Children’s Hospice week in the UK.

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A new video with Kate has been released in tandem with the campaign.

Together for Short Lives

Together for Short Lives

The video was recorded in January when Kate visited the EACH hospice in Quidenham, Norfolk. It includes footage of Kate with Isabella Benton, who has daily seizures.   

©Adrian Dennis/WPA Rota/Nunn Syndication/Polaris)

©Adrian Dennis/WPA Rota/Nunn Syndication/Polaris)

From Daily Mirror story about the video:

In the video message, filmed to mark the Together for Short Lives’ Children’s Hospice Week campaign, Kate says: “For any parent, being told that your child may have a life-limiting condition, or may die young, will be one of the most difficult and isolating experiences you can face.

“Having someone to help you come to terms with this news, and the professional support and care that comes with this, can make an enormous difference. It can help families make the most of every precious moment they have together.”

The video features Ed Sheeran’s song, “Lego House.” The singer is an ambassador for EACH (East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices); Kate is royal patron of the organization.

Here is the video in full.

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Vienna Calling

Friday 1st of March 2019

Bought this Green Floral Maxi Dress by Dorothy Perkins a few days ago:

http://www.dorothyperkins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=1&langId=-1&productId=33518035&Ntt=Green+Floral+Maxi+Dress&pageSize=20&defaultGridLayout=3&Nty=1&CE3_ENDECA_PRODUCT_ROLLUP_ENABLED=N&productOnlyCount=1&catalogId=33053&Dy=1&pageNum=1&productIdentifierproduct=product&storeId=12552&qubitRefinements=siteId%3DDorothyPerkinsUK

Unfortunately, it is available in limited sices (UK and German Website). But in other regions there could be some more selection.

truds

Sunday 9th of July 2017

I Luv this chilled outfit! She looks so relaxed! The high neckline, sleeves and length of the dress look so awesome with her hairstyle! (she looks so comfy compared to some outfits!!!;)

The Duchess of Cambridge follower

Friday 26th of May 2017

I don't think anyone has noticed this yet, but, if you look closely at the second picture posted Kate personal secretary who got married and "is no longer Kate's personal secretary" is behind Kate as she always is.

Jessica

Friday 26th of May 2017

You know, I just want to add that I actually like the sleeves, combined with the high neck. It strikes me as a Katharine Hepburn sort of look, and I don't find it unflattering at all. As others have pointed out, the Duchess certainly has the figure to pull that look off. I think if she'd worn her hair down the neck and sleeves might have looked awkward, but with her hair pulled back in this casual but ladylike way, she's really channeling old-school, understated glamour--very appropriate for the event and for her role.

To be fair, and to show that I do think that there's room here for politely stated critiques, I will say that I'd be curious to see the same look with some sort subtle detail on the neck--a small drape or gather, maybe--and I also agree with others about the exposed zipper here. That seems to me more appropriate for a very modern look, where (as we've discussed) this is more of a classic, 1940s look.

If you look closely at the pictures of the dress on the model, the silk looks heavy and absolutely sumptuous. I'm sure that explains the price point. I absolutely love the color and the print. Years ago I owned a similar, much less beautiful, green silk dress from Talbot's, and I was so sad when my middle-aged bod outgrew it.

Davika

Friday 26th of May 2017

I agree with those who say that they are surprised at all the negative comments. She looks great--everything, GREAT! Maybe she was too busy helping children who are dying in hospice to check if the print matches from front to back, so sorry!

I know this is a fashion blog, but I'm going to be snarky:) I think for every third negative comment that someone posts about Kate's outfit, they should have to post a picture of their "amazing, perfect outfit" that has just the right color shade of green, or earrings that don't clash so we can all learn from the "masters" just how it's done!

I want to keep reading this blog, I just love it---but it's starting to bring me down because people are so critical. Yes its a fashion blog, but a seam off here and a hemline off there isn't the end of fashion as we know it!

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