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Kate Middleton has come in for some rare sartorial criticism over her fondness for her favorite LK Bennett nude heels.
It seems the fashion police will have to try a little harder if they hope to part the Duchess of Cambridge from those trusty LK Bennett court shoes.
Kate Middleton was once again sporting the £185 ($296) heels on Saturday, when she attended the wedding of Prince William’s cousin, Emily McCorquodale – Princess Diana’s niece.
Duchess of Cambridge, 30, was joined by her husband and her brother-in-law, Prince Harry, for the ceremony in Stoke Rochford, Lincolnshire.
While some observers have criticized Kate’s safe choices, she seems happy to be building up a reputation for thrift.
Kate Middleton was once again sporting the $296 LK Bennett nude shoes on Saturday, when she attended the wedding of Prince William’s cousin, Emily McCorquodale, Princess Diana’s niece
Kate wore her faithful court shoes to two events over the Diamond Jubilee weekend, and was seen in them six times during her tour of Canada and the US last summer.
Indeed, her entire outfit for the wedding had been recycled.
She wore the floral Jenny Packham dress at a polo match in the US last year, the dove grey coat at the Order of the Garter service and the hat at last June’s Epsom Derby.
The court shoes are such a favorite that in the last year the Duchess has worn them to the Epsom Derby, to Prince Philip’s 90th birthday at Windsor, to attend Zara Phillips’s wedding and on a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital, London.
On last summer’s tour of Canada and the U.S. Kate was photographed in them no fewer than six times. On Sunday’s Jubilee River Pageant, they were given another outing on the Royal Barge.
And on Tuesday she got them out of the closet to attend the service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s cathedral.
The high street platforms have also of late been adopted by Princesses Eugenie, who wore a similar black version at the Jubilee River Pageant.
With every outfit coming under the microscope Kate’ support has given a welcome boost to the British brand.
The pumps have become such a success that LK Bennett brought out a Sledge 2 patent version.
The Duchess of Cambridge’s diamond and pearl earrings were among the most admired at St Paul’s Cathedral over the Bank Holiday.
So it will come as a surprise to those who spent a fortune on jewellery at Graff and Asprey that Kate’s sparklers weren’t diamonds at all and cost a mere £48 ($75).
In fact, they were a very good copy under the description “fabulous fakes” designed by Belinda Hadden, ex-wife of top PR man Abel Hadden.
Belinda Hadden was astonished to learn that Kate had worn her creations on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
Mother-of-three Belinda Hadden, who set up little-known Heavenly Necklaces in the Nineties as a hobby when her daughters were small, said: “I was at a wedding, so I had no idea Kate had worn my earrings until another client sent me an email asking: <<Are they the same as mine?>>”
The Duchess of Cambridge’s diamond and pearl earrings were among the most admired at St Paul’s Cathedral over the Bank Holiday
It wasn’t long, however, before the “Kate effect” began to work, with internet chatrooms abuzz.
Belinda Hadden, daughter of the late Tory MP for Gosport and Fareham, Hants, Sir Reginald Bennett, says: “Within the next 24 hours, I had sold out. I sold 60 on my website, which is the amount I would usually sell in a whole year.”
Belinda Hadden, who sources her fakes from India, China and Hatton Garden in London, says: “They are made of finest grade cubic zirconia, but what makes them look authentic is the settings they are in.”
The pearls, she says, are made from ground-up freshwater pearls reconstituted with resin.
She adds: “Usually, I would never dream of talking about my clients but, in this case, Kate’s earrings were outed on various blogs.
“I had no idea there was this huge internet chat about where, when and what she wears.”
Belinda Hadden designs 75% of her earrings, necklaces and bracelets herself and explains: “I have always loved jewellery and I did a short design course – two terms – at a further education centre run by my local council.”
Kate Middleton wore the same pair of nude shoes to the Epsom Derby last June, to Prince Philip’s 90th birthday at Windsor, to attend Zara Phillips’s wedding, and on a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital, London.
On tour in Canada and the U.S., Kate Middleton was seen in them six times. On Sunday, she chose them for the Royal Barge. And on Tuesday she put them on to attend the service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s cathedral.
Just what is it about Kate and her $296 pair of LK Bennett nude patent courts? Perhaps she bought a dozen pairs of the Sledge Court Shoe, first produced in 2009, as she loved them so much? Perhaps they are such good value and never scuff.
Despite their four-inch heel, the shoes must be comfy, given they have been worn in so wonderfully (the Queen asks her dresser, Angela Kelly, to break in shoes for her. Kate clearly has no need of such a service).
Kate Middleton wore the same $296 pair of LK Bennett nude shoes at each event
What’s more, at St Paul’s, Samantha Cameron wore the same pair, only in black. For after they became such a success, LK Bennett brought out a Sledge 2: identical, but in a patent leather rather than a high-shine leather.
In the more recent photos, Kate is wearing the patent version – which means she definitely has at least a pair to wear and a pair to air.
So what is wrong with Kate Middleton endlessly showcasing a High Street shoe?
The “safe” nude shoe is very much a 2011 trend, as is the slim platform; seen endlessly on the High Street.
Kate has occasionally patronized other shoe brands: Jimmy Choo twice, Pied a Terre once, and an Aquatalia Rumba boot – an awful suede affair. And wedge espadrilles, too. All pretty ghastly.
But what should Kate be putting on those size seven feet?
Kate should patronize Aruna Seth, a 30-year-old British-born designer who makes wonderful shoes that hover around the $960 to $1,280 mark.
Or show courtier Georgina Goodman, who sadly went into liquidation in May, but she still hopes to make bespoke commissions.
Or how about patronizing the new generation of shoe couturiers, such as Rupert Sanderson, Charlotte Dellal, Camilla Skovgaard and Tracey Neuls?
If you want a sunny glow then try the Kate Middle-Tan.
Kate Middle-Tan is what the Duchess of Cambridge has been called since her subtle color became the most requested spray tan shade.
“She takes incredibly good care of her skin, so a light, sheer self-tan on top is all she needs for a polished glow,” says tanning expert James Harknett.
“Instead of over-applying color, which builds up in heavy layers, Kate lets her tan fade naturally,” he adds.
Kate Middle-Tan is what the Duchess of Cambridge has been called since her subtle color became the most requested spray tan shade
The trick is to moisturize generously morning and evening, and use a body brush to exfoliate, letting the color fade completely before having a fresh spray.
“The moment you overdo it, the color looks WAG-ish – exactly the look Kate Middleton wants to avoid.”
Prince William and Duchess of Cambridge were the star attractions at last night’s gala to mark the countdown to the London Olympic Games.
The royal couple attended the Our Greatest Team Rises Gala dinner at London’s Royal Albert Hall and both looked stylish and sophisticated as they walked down the red carpet.
Prince William looked his usual dapper self in a black tuxedo while Duchess Catherine – also known as Kate Middleton – was stunning in a floor-length teal Jenny Packham dress. Her long brunette locks were put up in an elegant knotted bun while she wore her Jimmy Choo “Vamp” sandals on her feet.
The black tie gala evening marked the final countdown to the London 2012 Games – which start on July 27 – as well as raising critical funds to support the competitors.
Prince William and Duchess of Cambridge were the star attractions at last night's gala to mark the countdown to the London Olympic Games
Once inside, Prince William gave a witty speech to the 3,000 guests in which he likened his physique to that of a pigeon.
He quipped: ”Naturally, I was asked to compete for TeamGB in every sport, but sadly Lord Coe said there were London pigeons with more athletic prowess than me. Anyway to adapt a famous phrase from Sir Steve Regrave, if you see me in a pair of Speedos during the Olympics, shoot me!”
Prince William then went on to say how excited he was at the prospect of the Games in his home city of London.
He said: ”These Games remind us of the power of the human spirit and human endeavour. You, our Olympians and Paralympians, will inspire people up and down this country, and far beyond its borders. For the athletes of Our Greatest Team, these Games mark the pinnacle of your sporting careers. I can only imagine it… competing at home, in front of your countrymen and women, with the eyes of the entire world upon you. A dream come true.
”For all of us mere mortals – and I include my brother, Harry, still droning on about beating Usain…it never counted as it was a false start…this is a lifetime opportunity. We will witness an exceptional moment in our Island History. The mood in London will be electric, ecstatic, amazing. I just can’t simply wait.”
Other guests at the gala included British Olympic champions, Sir Steve Redgrave, Dame Kelly Holmes and Sally Gunnell while Kimberley Walsh was there to perform the official single, Queen’s “One Vision” with tenor Alfie Boe.
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