Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Kate Visits Liverpool on Valentines Day


Kate started the day by visiting The Brink in Liverpool. The Brink, is an alcohol-free bar linked to Action On Addiction, of which she became patron of last month. Three quarters of the bar’s staff are recovering alcoholics or drug addicts. They christened a smoothie 'The Duchess' in her honor.



 Later in the day she made an appearance at Alder Hey children's hospital, where she spent time with cancer patients.



Kate bundled up in a sleek brown, woollen coat (£329 reduced to £182) from high street chain Hobbs. The Hobbs 'Unlimited Celeste' coat sold out within hours. She customised the coat by replacing the original studded belt and cuffs with a more stylish buckle version.





Additional details about Kate's coat from the Hobbs website http://www.hobbs.co.uk/:

'Wrap up this autumn in this stunning double crepe wool coat. In a sumptuous seasonal chestnut-brown, this coat subtly flares from the hips. It's given an on-trend toughened edge thanks to the leather stud fastening cuff straps and waisted belt.

Collection:
UNLIMITED
Story: Celeste
Sleeve: Long Sleeve
Style Code: 3977
Colour: Chestnut
Fabric: Double Crepe
Fabric composition: 100% Wool
Care instruction:
Dry clean only'


Under the coat Kate wore a black knee-length polo neck dress with gold belt from another high street store, Oasis. Anyone hoping to buy one is likely to be disappointed – a source at the brand confirmed that the figure-hugging £60 number is ‘years old’.



The Duchess accessorized with black tights and her Jimmy Choo 'Cosmic' ( £435) black suede platform heels. She held a black clutch and her wore her £1,900 green amethyst earrings by Kiki McDonough and famous sapphire and diamond engagement ring.





Additional pictures from Kate's Visit






Update 2/1/2013

 
 
I have managed to locate some pictures of Kate's Oasis black, knee-length polo neck dress. Thanks to a seller on Ebay (royal-luxury).

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Kate Makes Solo Appearance at Lucien Freud Exhibit


Tonight, Kate made a solo appearance at London's National Portrait Gallery. She attended a private viewing of Lucian Freud Portraits. This is a new exhibit of works by the famous late British painter.



The exhibition officially opens to the general public tomorrow and features 130 artworks spanning the length of Freud's painting career from the early 1940s until his final, unfinished work.



The Duchess, recently became a patron of the National Portrait Gallery. The cause is close to her heart as she studied art history at St. Andrews University (where she met her prince).



Kate was greeted by Freud’s daughter Esther and Sir Paul McCartney’s daughter Mary. Jeremy Hunt, the Culture Secretary, and Sandy Nairne, director of the gallery, also joined her on an hour-long tour.




The Duchess of Cambridge wore a grey tweed, double-breasted, 1950s-style frock by the high street clothing label Jesire. The dress had a full skirt with a wide black belt cinching her waist and over sized shawl collar.




Despite the cold weather, she went sans stockings but accessorized with her Jimmy Choo 'Cosmic' ( £435) black suede platform heels, a black clutch, a diamond bracelet & matching earrings, and her Asprey Pendant.





Update 2/10/2012

I have been frantically searching for more info on Jesire. There wasn't much out there but I did find two articles that I'd like to share.

1) Grazia www.graziadaily.co.uk/ reports that Jesire is out of business. The brand was stocked in stores like John Lewis and House of Fraser.

2) Express www.express.co.uk/ reports that the high street brand officially closed it's doors in November 2011. The former managing director of Jesire, Martyn Vines, is planning talks with the original creator of the Jesire coat dress to possibly re-issue it.

It is thought that Kate bought the £169 dress as far back as autumn 2010 at Peter Jones in London’s Sloane Square.
 
Update 3/28/2013
 
Copykate on Ebay
 
Thanks to Copykate on Ebay, Kate's belt has been 'found' but not ID'ed because it does not have a brand name anywhere on it.
 
Copykate on Ebay
 
Additional details about the belt from Copykate:
 

'Material: Leather, metal and high quality smooth-finish elastic woven raffia-like fabric. Front metal clasp fastening
Unbranded'
 
Note: The b80's style belt listed by Copykate is not the same color that Kate wore in the pictures above. My thoughts are that it could have been borrowed from Carol Middleton?

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Kate Spotted Shopping in London


Yesterday, February 6, 2012, Kate was spotted shopping in London.
She made a three hour stop at the Richard Ward salon and then popped into Partridges to pick up groceries.




The Duchess of Cambridge shopped her closet and wore her chocolate brown L.K. Bennett 'Darwin' sheepskin jacket, skinny jeans, her black Russell and Bromley‘Charge It’ boots and her navy Mulberry Polly Push–lock handbag.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Kate & William Leave Mustique


Kate & Wills were caught on film leaving the island of Mustique on January 28th, 2012.
They were seen boarding a regular British Airways flight to return to the UK. Pippa and James were with them.


Kate wore her Warehouse Lace Kimono Top, Milly ;Gabrielle' Jacket (thanks to WKW for the ID), skinny jeans and her Pied A Terre black wedges.




The Milly Gabrielle Jacket was available at Saks Fifth Avenue in the US. It is from a past season (2010 collection) and no longer available ($525). Additional details:

Impeccably tailored rich wool with contrast trim is a fresh take on a classic design.
•Button front
•Black with ivory trim.
•Slash pockets
•About 21½" from shoulder to hem
•VirginWool; dry clean
•Made in USA


Additional Pictures:





Update 2/6/2012

Kate's purse has been ID'd! It is the 'Le Pliage' Hobo bag (Reference : 2450089) by Longchamps Paris ($195).



Details from the Longchamps website (www.longchamp.com) :

Adjustable shoulder strap
1 pocket on side of bag with button closure
1 main compartment with zipper opening

Interior:
1 large zippered pocket on back
1 flat pocket on front

Polyamide fabric with induction inside trimmed in cowhide leather
Dimensions : 37x28x14 cm
14½x11x5½ inch