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Kate Brings Back Emilia Wickstead Dress for Mental Health Summit

Kate brought back an Emilia Wickstead dress for today’s engagement at the Global Summit on Mental Health Culture Change.

A video of the Duke and Duchess arriving.

The event kicked off today, one day before World Mental Health Day This graphic offers details about the summit. 

This was the first joint engagement for the Duke and Duchess since Kate returned from maternity leave.

Simon Perry has additional information in his People story:

The royal couple, whose Heads Together initiative alongside Prince Harry has helped mainstream mental health discussions, attended the first meeting of its kind to unite politics, academics and health policy-makers on Tuesday.

The inaugural Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit, co-hosted by the British government and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), aims to help countries work together to address mental health issues.

More from Rebecca English’s Daily Mail story:

Around one in four people globally will experience a mental health problem at same time in their life.

Mental illness is also the biggest cause of lost economic output, with an estimated cost to the global community of nearly $2.5 trillion a year.

Helping countries work together on finding ways to deal with the stigma attached to mental health issues is a key part of the gathering.

William and Kate sat on a “Friendship Bench,” part of a program in Zimbabwe that teaches elderly women skills they need to become lay health workers.

The need is great. There are only 10 psychiatrists serving Zimbabwe’s population of 13 million, 70% of whom live below the poverty line. Here you see the pair with Elisha London, who heads up the project.

The duo attended a workshop where they heard about a US initiative providing mental health assistance for mothers. The program is called MOMS (Mental Health Outreach for Mothers).

They also spoke with attendees and delegates.

From The Daily Mail:

William asked one delegate: ‘Have you noticed a shift in attitude in the last few years and months. Have you notice a general change, can you see this the shift? Are we slowly waking up to mental health? ‘ Kate asked another: ‘What’s the best way to access (help)? Is it online, apps?’

Rebecca English shared a video of the couple with artist Dairo Vargas, who was working on a mural about the summit.

Kate clearly enjoyed painting.

After she finished she gave Prince William her paintbrush. Simon Perry reports “…she handed it over to her husband, who was clearly unsure in his artistic abilities. “This is how you probably ruin a picture,” he warned.”

More from The Daily Mail:

He said the concept for his painting was from the idea that mental health issues can stem from loneliness but those who experience issues always have someone to turn to.

‘I had always rather hoped they might have a go but didn’t know until the day that they would,’ he said. ‘I think I am going to leave their contributions untouched!’

Now to what Kate wore for today’s mental health summit, starting with her Emilia Wickstead a-line crepe dress.

The piece is crafted of a mid-weight wool. It features a boat neckline, fitted bodice with front and back darts, full skirt, self-belt and back zipper. The Duchess first wore the dress last July, as the Cambridges were leaving Hamburg, Germany.

A closer look at Kate today and last July.

Thoughts on today’s ensemble from a story by The Telegraph’s senior fashion editor Charlie Gowans-Eglinton.

The dress was one Kate had worn before, on a trip to Germany in July 2017. So far, so classic Kate – the Duchess is known for recycling outfits and, by doing so, showing the value of investing in timeless pieces to the many women who look to her for style inspiration. The message that she’s sending about slow fashion is an admirable and pleasingly realistic one while the addition of a different bag updated the look.

The frock is now called the “Kate” dress and it is available at Matches Fashion in Red (on sale for $1214, but only available in very limited sizing); it is also offered in Navy Blue ($1745) as well as Baby Soft Pink ($1745).

Not only did Kate repeat her dress, but Prince William was also in the same suit worn in Hamburg that day.

And the same tie. 

The Duchess was in the same shoes (although it might be a newer pair) worn in Hamburg, the Gianvito Rossi 105 pumps on Praline (€555, roughly $640 at today’s exchange rates).

Kate carried a new handbag today, Aspinal’s Midi Mayfair bag (£495, roughly $650) in the ‘deep shine lilac’ colorway.

The bag is done in a small croc print on Italian leather, measuring roughly 6″ x 8″ x 3.5″ deep. It features Aspinal’s signature shield lock closure, a detachable cross-body strap, and protective base feet. The bag is now available for preorder at Aspinal. Many thanks to Michelle of Perth’s Fashion as well as Elizabeth of Kate’s Closet for their ID of the bag and sharing of other info about the item.

The Duchess wore her familiar Empress Necklace and matching Empress Drop Earrings by royal favorite Mappin and Webb.

 

A reminder we’ll see Kate tomorrow when she makes her first visit to the V&A in her role as Royal Patron, where she will open the museum’s new Photography Centre.

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Jacquie

Sunday 28th of October 2018

Absolutely gorgeous in lavender! I felt a little sorry for her because in some of the clip she looked like she was holding back tears. I have so missed her. She is regal.

Esther

Saturday 13th of October 2018

Kate looks stunning as always. The cut, texture and colour are all perfect. I feel a little silly commenting on this but I notice she had her legs crossed over at the knee in the photo where she is sitting in the front row listening to a presentation (as does William). I have never seen her do this and I thought the Royal protocol was to cross the legs at the ankle or keep them together at an angle. Perhaps this does not apply when in a group audience situation. No biggie, we all cross our legs like this but I haven’t seen any of the royal family do this before (apart from William) so I am simply curious.

admin

Saturday 13th of October 2018

Hi, Esther, and thank you for commenting! Kate has crossed her legs at the knee many times over the seven years we’ve been doing the blog, although it’s definitely not something you see frequently. She generally does it when she is not at the center of a group, or when her back is to the majority of cameras at an event, as at Tuesday’s workshop at the mental health summit. ?

Miss Mae

Thursday 11th of October 2018

Longtime reader, first comment!

I love this dress and look... perhaps because it's a look that's seemingly attainable and mirrors some of my own workwear choices/aspirations (designer label and exquisite tailoring aside, of course!) I don't even mind the nude pumps. I just wish she might have gone with the LK Bennett Fern pumps or one of her R&B pairs instead. I was trying to figure out why these 'praline' Rossi pumps often bug me/seem not quite right and I think they are often similar to her leg/stocking color they kind of disappear. Especially when she is sporting the remnants of a tan, like now. Overall she looks lovely and as always, her easy manner and sincere engagement outshines the outfit -- as it well should!

Alison

Wednesday 10th of October 2018

I love the new handbag!

I noticed in the photo of Kate and William attending the MOMS workshop that it appears Kate is crossing her legs one on top of the other instead of the "Duchess slant" we've heard so much about. Did anyone else notice this?

Evelynne

Thursday 11th of October 2018

I wonder if it's because there are no photographers in front of her? It'll be interesting to see if we see that from the front.

I love SO much that the Windsor kids are promoting mental health this way. It's become increasingly clear to me over the years that nearly everyone will have some trouble with depression or anxiety or difficult emotions at some point in their lives. There's so much useful knowledge out there now to help that wasn't reaching the average person because of the stigma, and to see people with so much cultural clout taking it on is really wonderful.

As for the outfit, I'm a sucker for monochrome and I love that her unique handbag is a lighter shade of lilac!

Debbie

Wednesday 10th of October 2018

Love this look! The shade of this dress is a bit unexpected, and I think that's why it appears so refreshing. The color is very becoming on Kate, who looks as lovely as ever, with the added confidence of coming back after her third child. Those of us who have had multiple babies know the challenge that comes with that! But Kate has pulled herself together very well, and made it look easy too. To me, Kate's confidence completes her look. Her willingness and ability to rise to the occasion of her position inspires me in ways that her impressive wardrobe never could.

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