Meghan Markle‘s $1800 Aussie designer dress causes meltdown
MEGHAN Markle stepped out in an $1800 Australian-designed ivory shift dress before Karen Gee's website crashed today. Markle has matched the frock with a pair of butterfly earrings previously worn by Princess Diana.
Confidential
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AUSSIE designer Karen Gee has been blessed with the sort of press a clothing brand could only dream of.
The Duchess of Sussex stepped out in an $1800 ivory shift dress for her first official engagement of her Australian tour with Prince Harry this morning.
It is understood that Markle has matched the frock with a pair of butterfly earrings previously worn by Princess Diana. She also appears to be wearing Diana’s gold bracelet.
The late Duchess wore the earrings during a trip to Canada with Prince Charles in 1986.
The engagement marked the Duchess’ first appearance since Kensington Palace announced she and husband Prince Harry are expecting their first child.
The Duchess’ tiny baby bump was only just visible in the dress as she walked the lawn of Admiralty House.
Demand and interest for the Blessed Dress has already caused the website to crash at one point.
“Crafted in our premium fabric, the Blessed Dress features a simple, structured fit designed to contour the body for a sleek silhouette,” the description read on the designer’s website. “A timeless classic that will take you from day to night with ease.”
The dress is also available in black and ink navy.
Gee is a Northbridge mother-of five and Harvard Business graduate who founded the brand five years ago and was elected Mrs Globe Australia in 2012. All her garments are made in Australia.
He first flagship store was opened in Sydney’s Chifley Plaza in 2016, offering one-on-one private consultations to clients.
All eyes will be on Markle’s wardrobe during her visit Down Under and style experts are tipping Zimmermann, Camilla and Marc, and Ralph & Russo to feature prominently.
Zimmermann, Camilla and Marc, Scanlan & Theodore, Dion Lee and Alex Perry are among the local designers tipped to be worn Meghan during her first official trip to the country as a member of the British royal family.
Known for teaming designer pieces with occasional high-street labels, the Duchess may also be drawn to Bec & Bridge and Viktoria + Woods, according to a top stylist.
The Duchess is expected to wear at least two to three outfits per day, with her clothing choices in Australia giving designers global attention.
Meanwhile, Stationary lovers across Australia have been sent into a frenzy after Meghan Markle’s chic airport ensemble was quickly upstaged by an unlikely accessory — the two purple folders she was clutching in her hand.
The royal effect has not only hit clothing boutiques but also the stationary aisles, with the $2.99 Aqua Drops purple folder Markle was carrying almost selling out in Officeworks stores Australia-wide following her arrival.
Data from the chain of office supplies stores shows that as of Markle’s arrival in Sydney on Monday morning, sales of the general folder category have increased by 32 per cent and sales of the Aqua Drops range have increased by 75 per cent.
Royal watchers and fans didn’t know it at the time, but the Duchess was using the stationary items as a shield to divert the eyes from her baby bump.