Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Kate Middleton: Future Princess and Fashion Icon

Following in the fashionable footsteps of Wallis Simpson and Princess Diana, Kate Middleton has ascended the throne to fashion icon.

The 28 year-old fiancée of Prince William has stayed true to her demure and practical style over the years, managing to transition from traditional British hats and designer labels to jeans and riding boots effortlessly. Inevitably, there have been many comparisons between Kate and the late Princess Diana, who firmly established herself as a fashion maven and became the world's most photographed woman of her time. With the wedding nearing, the eyes of the fashion press have been focussed intently on the future princess and her influence over the fashion world is growing rapidly. Kate it seems is set on becoming Britain's number one export in terms of global fashion.

Case in point: the £385 navy silk dress by Issa London that was worn by the bride-to-be for the official engagement announcement sold out in one day. For Brazilian born designer, Daniella Helayel, who has dressed everyone from Naomi Campbell to Madonna, Kate has become perhaps her most valuable customer to date. Following the engagement announcement, the designer who had been relatively obscure since setting up her studio in 2001 skyrocketed to international fame.
Kate further staked her claim as reigning fashion icon this past week when she caused a fashion frenzy after attending a pancake flipping session in Belfast wearing a nude double-breasted Burberry trench. Burberry reported that the trench sold out both in-store and on the UK and US websites within hours of the images going viral. An Asda knockoff that sells for $35 also saw sales increase by 300% immediately following.

The question of the moment is who will design the wedding gown for the international fashion icon and future princess? Designer duo David and Elizabeth Emmanuel were chosen by Princess Diana for her fairytale gown. Thirty years later, many speculate that designer Bruce Oldfield is the front-runner, while other favorites include Daniella Helayel, Phillipa Lepley, and Sarah Burton.

One thing is for sure, whoever is chosen had better have their e-commerce site ready and be prepared to be catapulted into fashion stardom.

L.Lalonde

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