Aussie designer quietly dressing every A-lister in town

A series of stunning dresses donned by A-listers have made headlines recently – and it’s all the work of a well-known Aussie figure.

IN LONDON

When it comes to the most influential wardrobes in the world, those tucked away inside Britain’s royal residences generally wield the most power.

And it’s become abundantly clear that one Aussie designer has firmly cemented her place on those coveted clothing rails. In just a smattering of days, Zara Tindall, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie have all stepped out in Rebecca Vallance dresses, shining even more of a spotlight on the Aussie designer known for dressing A-listers internationally.

Zara’s 2024 Royal Ascot look was by Rebecca Vallance. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

She again donned a piece from the Aussie designer’s line for the 2025 racing event. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

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So how does one cut through the plethora of options and end up with a dress (or several, as is the case with the royal trio above) on a member of the royal family?

“[Zara] was buying the brand – I worked it out from somebody tagging her on social media,” Vallance tells me over coffee at a luxury hotel in London.

Initially connecting through Zara’s stylist, the pair quickly hit it off, with the King’s niece even attending the relaunch of Vallance’s line in ritzy UK department store Harrods, as well as donning her designs for Royal Ascot over the past two years, plus the Magic Millions Racing Carnival on the Sunshine Coast.

Zara and Vallance at a VIP breakfast celebrating the relaunch of her brand at Harrods in November 2023. Picture: Hoda Davaine/Dave Benett

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“She’s just so lovely and warm, just a beautiful woman inside and out, with a great sense of humour … We’re very appreciative of all the support that she gives.”

Her cousin Beatrice wore a Rebecca Vallance design for a cocktail party in honour of the London launch of the Nicky Hilton for Rebecca Vallance collection last October, and again at the Elephant Family Wonders of the Wild event at Kew Gardens in May.

Eugenie opted for a floral dress from the Aussie’s collection for the Chelsea Flower Show last month, and then again at the launch of “Thirty Six For Coral”, an art exhibition supporting coral preservation, on June 12 in Nice.

Princess Beatrice in a Vallance gown at a Kew Gardens event last month. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Princess Eugenie in Nice earlier this month, wearing the same designer. Picture: Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images

Meanwhile, the reason for Vallance’s latest London jaunt is for both work and fun – she’s styled her good friend Kelly Osbourne in a custom dress from her line for the iconic Serpentine Summer Ball, held on Tuesday night in the UK capital.

The pair hit the red carpet together, with Osbourne telling news.com.au she felt “amazing” in the fitted, strapless gown.

“I fully, fully trust Rebecca and she knows me, so she knows exactly what will look best,” she gushed.

“What I love [about the brand] is you always feel like a princess when you wear one of her dresses. And there’s the kitsch and the glamour that I need.”

Vallance hit the red carpet with Osbourne at the Serpentine Summer Party in London on Tuesday night – both donning dresses designed by the Aussie fashion powerhouse. Picture: Joe Maher/Getty Images

Osbourne is a longtime fan of Vallance’s brand. Picture: Joe Maher/Getty Images

Inevitably, dressing someone as high-profile as a member of the British royal family or a Hollywood star always provides a boost in sales – but Vallance is very particular about whom she chooses to work with.

“For us to dress somebody, and probably make them a custom look, it needs to be definitely worthwhile,” Vallance, who first launched her brand at Paris Fashion Week in 2011, explains.

“It’s somebody who’s been buying the brand, wearing the brand, and [where it can be] a natural, authentic, organic partnership.”
She adds: “It’s always a collaborative process, but I don’t work with just anyone.”

Vallance and Hilton in Sydney last year.

At the top of that coveted list is Nicky Hilton, Vallance’s collaborator on last year’s hugely popular holiday collection, who was “as involved” as the designer throughout the process.

“She has an incredible eye for fashion, and very down-to-earth, very humble and [along with sister Paris Hilton] “works and works to get where she wants,” Vallance explains.

“Those girls both have had instilled an incredible work ethic from their family.”

Plenty of Aussie stars have shown love for the designer – including Isla Fisher and Sylvia Jeffreys – but two still remain on her wishlist: Cate Blanchett and Nicole Kidman.

“That’s who I’d love to dress,” she tells news.com.au.

And, unsurprisingly, arguably fashion’s most influential figure: “Kate Middleton, of course.”

Originally published as Aussie designer quietly dressing every A-lister in town