Ahead of the Duchess of Cambridge’s upcoming New Zealand tour, Thread looks at a few of our personal favourites from local labels that we think she would look amazing in…
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, or “Kate”, is a big fan of fashion.
In fact, she’s featured on most of the best-dressed British lists and is a champion of traditional British brands, wearing a mixture of high-end and mainstream labels. She usually always combines a designer piece from a brand like Alexander McQueen (her favourite and makers of her exquisite wedding dress) or others including Armani or Mulberry with a British High Street retailer like Jigsaw or MaxMara, Hobbs or LK Bennett. Kate is also a champion of smaller, boutique brands that cater for her classic tailoring tastes.
When on tour, however, she has recognised local national colours and motifs in her dress, such as the maple leaf hat and red and white outfit in Canada – or worn local designs such as in the Pacific Islands. She may well do here in April, perhaps even wearing New Zealand designer brands.
Ahead of the Duchess of Cambridge’s upcoming New Zealand tour, Thread looks at a few of our personal favourites from local labels that we think she would look amazing in…
The Coat
Wairarapa dreamed, designed and made – My Boyfriend’s Back has the perfect coat for Kate, says Katie Byrne. A lightweight wool blend in a flattering tartan navy (not too dissimilar from Alexander McQueen) the ‘Roamer’ coat drapes elegantly to the knee, offering a feminine silhouette. Equipped with this season’s large square pocket, the Roamer also has a waist tie to define and enhance Kate’s fabulous figure. This coat is the perfect all-rounder and offers a great solution for handkerchiefs, dummies and lip gloss in those large pockets! Priced at $NZ 317.00 in sizes from 8 – 14. myboyfriendsback.co.nz
The Shoe
Kate has done more for sales of nude court shoes than anyone. This nude court is classic but has a little twist, with its mix of leather and suede, and a high-yet-safe-to-walk-in tortoiseshell heel. Emmet Heel $329 from www.kathrynwilson.com
The Dresses
Kate is famous for her excellent taste in dresses, and they need to be modestly cut covering the knee and decollatage for royal duties. Here are some that would take her to elegant events.
Designer Celine Chapman of feminine womenswear label Celine Rita says her pick for the Duchess would be the apty-titled Kate Lace Shift, $289.00 in beautiful blue lace with a high round neckline and elbow length raglan sleeves. Made in New Zealand by www.celinerita.com
“I can imagine Kate wearing our Liam Meander Dress $369.00; a timeless, elegant silk gown that sums Kate up perfectly” says Anna-Lise Sharma of RUBY and Liam. The Meander Dress is a floorlength silk dress with suspended strap detailing that threads down the centre back to a waist tie. shop.rubynz.com
Just over the knee, and with a cap sleeve, this black on white lace dress ticks all the boxes for style and protocol. Lisani Lennox, of Lennox, would dress Kate in this “elegant lace gown fit for a queen!” www.lennox.co.nz
Royal Jewels
Kagi Jewellery’s ‘I Do’ Sapphire coloured drop crystal earrings $129. They’ll match her beautiful sapphire engagement ring too! Kagi Jewellery is designed in New Zealand. www.kagi.net
And for a less formal occasion, such as attending Prince George’s first Plunket baby group, perhaps she could wear something contemporary such as this Kagi Cherish Heart Pendant, which also gives a nod to New Zealand flora in the curled koru shape in its design.
Will the so-called “Kate Middleton Effect” that has effected fashion retail in England also take hold here in New Zealand? That remains to be seen but one thing’s for sure, the world’s eyes will be on her and her young family – and on her fashion. So, whether you’re planning to pop a few purchases on the plastic with American Express or simply want some inspiration of how to use existing items in new ways – keep a keen eye on Kate’s tour down under.
Megan Robinson
13 March 2014
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