Australian fashion designers are keen to get the Duchess of Cambridge into their clothes for the instant recognition that brings
SHE has the power to turn whatever she wears into a global bestseller, so it is little wonder that Australian fashion designers are hoping for a nod of approval.
Confidential
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SHE has the power to turn whatever she wears into a global bestseller, so it is little wonder that Australian fashion designers are hoping for a major boost when the Duchess of Cambridge shows off her royal style during her 10-day Australian tour.
Megan Park, R.M Williams, Collette by Collette Dinnigan and Carla Zampatti are among the local labels requested by the royal’s stylists for her wardrobe, which has been two months in the planning.
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The Duchess is also understood to have liaised with Australian-born couturiers Tamara Ralph and Michael Russo — the names behind Ralph & Russo — for an eveningwear option expected to be unveiled at a dinner at Government House in Canberra.
Whether it was casual skinny jeans or elegant frocks, the “Kate effect” was already well and truly under way in New Zealand last week, with a number of brands reporting pieces worn by the royal have already sold out. A patterned Tory Burch dress she wore for Prince George’s first official play date sold out online within hours. The blue Rachel Riley dungarees worn by Prince George were also an instant sell out.
The Australian Women’s Weekly fashion editor Mattie Cronan said for a brand, having the Duchess wear one of its designs was like hitting the fashion jackpot.
“It’s worldwide exposure, and it’s likely the piece will sell out in an instant,” she said. “It's a priceless opportunity and she generally speaking tends to support designers wherever she is, so hopefully we’re going to be seeing her wearing a few Australian labels during her visit.”
With visits to the Blue Mountains, Taronga Zoo and The Royal Easter Show on the agenda and just one evening reception, the emphasis is on casual wear rather than tiara moments.
“The Duchess of Cambridge’s style has always been marked by its appropriateness — she’s very clever at making a sartorial reference to wherever she is visiting, or whatever the occasion,” Vogue Australia fashion director Zara Wong said.
Ms Wong predicted Kate would pick some big Australian names for her tour.
“Collette Dinnigan has recently scaled down her business but her sophisticated lace pieces are perfect for any one-off royal commissions,” she said.
“Toni Maticevski’s elegant day dresses chime well with her personal style but for something more fashion-forward, yet completely in theme with the Commonwealth, Richard Nicoll may serve her well; he was born in Perth but is currently London-based.”
In New Zealand Kate wore a fern brooch borrowed from the Queen’s archives. In Australia she is expected to wear a wattle brooch that the Queen wore on her last visit in 2012.
But Royal biographer Claudia Joseph, author of Kate: The Making of a Princess, said there were a couple of fashion tips Kate still had not picked up from the Queen.
“Although she seems to be wearing longer hems, she does not appeared to have copied the Queen in having curtain weights sewn into them to prevent them being caught by the wind. Otherwise she would not have had a Marilyn Monroe moment when she stepped off the plane in New Zealand,” Ms Joseph said.
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