Thursday 24 April 2014

'Approachable, modern and not dictated by fashion': Australian designers give their verdict on Kate's Royal tour outfits

Australia's top fashion designers have heaped huge praise on the Duchess of Cambridge's Royal tour wardrobe -  despite her snubbing all but one of them.
Classic designer Carla Zampatti - who has met the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Edward, Prince Charles and Diana - applauded Kate's 'wonderful taste' and the fact she was a 'hard working royal', as she attended a reception for the Royal couple at Parliament House, Canberra.
Ms Zampatti even went so far as to label the 32-year-old 'the best promotion of the fashion industry' she can think of.
Emerald: Kate wore a striking grass green Venetian wool coatdress by Catherine Walker to the reception at Parliament House
Emerald: Kate wore a striking grass green Venetian wool coatdress by Catherine Walker to the reception at Parliament House
Ms Zampatti, Akira Isogawa, Simone and Nicky Zimmerman and Camilla Franks were among designers and actors at a drinks reception, hosted by Prime Minister Tony
Abbott, for 600 prominent Australians.
The event was held to bid farewell to the Duke and Duchess before they fly out to return to Britain tomorrow.
'She is so impressive, so warm and intelligent,’ the 71-year-old Italian-Australian designer said.
'Australia has become enchanted with this couple and Kate is the best promotion of the fashion industry I can think of.
'She is approachable, modern and is not dictated by fashion. She knows who she is.
'I thanked her for being so beautiful in everything she wore.'


Demure: The 32-year-old looked like a future queen at the reception on Thursday
Demure: The 32-year-old looked like a future queen at the reception on Thursday
Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge arrive at the reception hosted by the Governor-General on the final evening of their tour of Australia and New Zealand
Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge arrive at the reception hosted by the Governor-General on the final evening of their tour of Australia and New Zealand
Camilla Franks at Parliament HouseCarla Zampatti at Parliament HouseAkira Isogawa at Parliament House
Impressed: Australian fashion designers Camilla Franks, left, Carla Zampatti, centre, and Akira Isogawa, right
Ms Zampatti chatted with the Duchess about Prince George.
'I said to her what a wonderful, energetic and enthusiastic child he was and that he had really stolen the show at the zoo.
'She said it had been wonderful being out here with him and of bringing him out to Australia, "it's been very important".
'You can tell that child is totally relaxed and happy.'
Meanwhile, Simone and Nicky Zimmerman said they are 'battening down the hatches' for June when their dress worn by the Duchess of Cambridge at the Royal Easter Show and on Manly Beach hits the stores in the UK, US and Australia. 

Local frock: Kate wore Australian designer Zimmerman's white dress with open-toed Stuart Weitzman Minx Espadrilles to Manly beach on April 18
Local frock: Kate wore Australian designer Zimmerman's white dress with open-toed Stuart Weitzman Minx Espadrilles to Manly beach on April 18
The Zimmerman sisters, who met the Duchess at Parliament House today, confessed the 'Kate effect' on international interest in their ivory broderie anglaise day dress was 'overwhelming'.
Nicky said that they hadn't known she would wear it until they got a phone call from someone at the Easter Show.
'Especially wearing it down to the beach,' she said, 'her effect is very powerful.'
The designers have been on a high since Easter Friday, flooded by messages from family and well wishes, and by orders for the dress.
'You couldn't hope for a more beautiful, fresh gorgeous young woman to wear your dress. She looked divine,' Nicky said.
Striking: At Dunedin Airport on April 13 Kate emerged from the plane in an aquamarine dress made by Emilia Wickstead, one of her favourite designers
Striking: At Dunedin Airport on April 13 Kate emerged from the plane in an aquamarine dress made by Emilia Wickstead, one of her favourite designers

'I think she's under an enormous pressure [to look great] and she does. She looked absolutely immaculate, young and stylish.'

Ms Zampatti said she was not disappointed Kate had only worn one Australian designer during the tour - the white Zimmerman dress on Friday.
'Well good luck to Zimmerman that they have the kind of product that she felt comfortable in,' she said.
'It's also dictated by the weather and it has been really warm and I would imagine she had a whole selection of of garments to choose from.
Expensive: The Duchess landed in Wellington, New Zealand, on April 7 in a red £7000 buttoned coat by London-based label Catherine Walker & Co holding Prince George
Expensive: The Duchess landed in Wellington, New Zealand, on April 7 in a red £7000 buttoned coat by London-based label Catherine Walker & Co holding Prince George

'I trust her taste and her integrity and I'm sure she's not favouring one over the other.
'She looks wonderful, she's very beautiful and so natural and so modern and so intelligent I mean what more could you ask.'
The designers all had their own views on Kate's Royal tour wardrobe, which has been packed with recycled garments and fail safe favourites, along with pricey couture pieces from British labels like Alexander McQueen.
The Duchess arrived at the reception on Thursday in a bespoke version of Catherine Walker's green Evelyn Coatdress, teamed with her favourite L.K. Bennett Sledge Pumps.
Emerald and diamond earrings completed the look.
Vibrant: Kate wore a sheath style blue and white dress from LK Bennett for her arrival in Brisbane, April 19
Vibrant: Kate wore a sheath style blue and white dress from LK Bennett for her arrival in Brisbane, April 19

Camilla Franks, wearing the Samsara jacket and jumpsuit from her own winter collection, said she was happy with Kate's fashion choices even if they weren't Australian.
'Look as long as she's comfortable. It doesn't upset me too much but it doesn't mean she won't leave with a lot of Australian pieces and wear them on her next tours,' she said.
Akira Isogawa, dressed in Prada, said he was impressed with the Duchess's fashion sense.
'I just saw a picture of her on Instagram in an emerald green dress and I thought that colour is so pretty, I loved it,' he said.
'I feel she has been so appropriate. So pretty but at the same time proper, she is making a statement I think every day.'
Last week it emerged Kate had requested dresses from Melbourne-based designer Megan Park and Australian fashion house Scanlan Theodore in the lead up to her arrival but they were not given the Royal seal of approval. 
Elegant: On Easter Sunday the Duchess wore a stunning dove grey Alexander McQueen coat dress
Elegant: On Easter Sunday the Duchess wore a stunning dove grey Alexander McQueen coat dress
puff





DM

No comments:

Post a Comment

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...