Saturday, January 17, 2015

Kate Attends Fostering Network Reception in Recycled Hobbs London Dress

Daily Mail/PA
 
Yesterday, Kate travelled to Islington Council offices in north London where the organization The Fostering Network hosted a reception to celebrate the work of their caregivers.

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Daily Mail/PA
 
Daily Mail/Lia Toby/WENN.com
 
The Fostering Network is the UK's leading foster care charity and helps highlight the amazing volunteers who offer up their home. The Duchess' visit was meant to help promote the organization and inspire people to get involved.

@fosteringnet
 
Daily Mail/AP
 
Daily Mail/AP
 
Although not patron of the charity, it does sit well with the Kate's own interests, most of which concern the wellbeing of children.

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Daily Mail/AP
 
Daily Mail/AP
 
Just after her arrival, the Duchess joined a round table discussion with foster caregivers, young adults who have been fostered, and senior staff from The Fostering Network.

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Daily Mail/Mark Stewart
 
Daily Mail/Getty Images
 
After the discussion, she sat down to a mid morning snack of cupcakes and chocolate brownies with energetic group of younger children and their foster caregivers, while being told more about their work.

Daily Mail/Tim Rooke/REX

Daily Mail/AP
 
Before she left, Kate was given a memory box filled with stories and poems written by current and former foster children.

Grazia/Getty
 
Hobbs
 
Hobbs
 
For this engagement the Duchess returned to one of her favorite high street brands. She looked elegant in a previously worn 'Animal Shirt Dress' by Hobbs London ($95 and sold out). The brown silk frock has been updated with animal-print embossed silk jacquard. Kate cinched it with a coordinating belt, which she tied in a bow above her baby bump.

Daily Mail/Ken Goff/GoffPhotos.com
 
Stuart Weitzman
 
Mulberry
 
Completing her ensemble, the Duchess wore black, opaque tights, her black, suede Stuart Weitzman ‘Power’ pumps ($355), and her black, suede Mulberry 'Bayswater' clutch.

Zimbio
 
Hello! Magazine

Kate wore a new pair of gold 'Lolita' earrings by Mirabelle. They were gifted to her Felt London.

Felt

Additional Details
 
'Gold plated brass earrings, consisting of three entwined hoops with hammered finish sides.
They are 6cm long, including the hook.
£25
Note: the earrings are available in either a silver finish or a gold finish'
 
Daily Mail/Alan Davidson
 

Thursday, January 15, 2015

The Duchess Undertakes her first official visit of 2015 at Barlby Primary School

Daily Mail/Beretta/Sims/REX
 
This morning, Kate, travelled to Barlby Primary School in Ladbroke Grove to name an art room. She was unable to attend the opening in October because of her severe morning sickness.

@KensingtonRoyal on Twitter
 
@KensingtonRoyal on Twitter
 
@KensingtonRoyal on Twitter
 
Mirror/FameFlynet
 
Today's naming is The Art Room's ninth project, and will be called The Clore Art Room. It is named after the Clore Duffield Foundation which has been making donations to The Art Room since 2005.  It is one of a series of 10 major grants to organizations across the UK to celebrate the Foundation's 50th birthday.

@QueenVicMirror on Twitter
 
@QueenVicMirror on Twitter
 
@QueenVicMirror on Twitter
 
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The Duchess is royal patron of The Art Room charity, which maintains a dedicated art room in a number of schools in Oxfordshire and in London. Each week up to 85 children, aged between 5 and 11, receive art sessions designed to provide them with self-confidence, self-esteem and independence through creativity and self-expression. 

@KensingtonRoyal on Twitter
 
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Kate was joined for the event by Turner Prize-winning artist and cross-dressing potter Grayson Perry who is also a patron.

Daily Mail/Alan Davidson
 
Daily Mail/Justin Goff/GoffPhotos.com
 
Daily Mail/Justin Goff/GoffPhotos.com
 
Zimbio
 
During the visit, the Duchess met Barlby staff and students, toured the new art room, and then took part in a roundtable discussion which included Dame Vivien Duffield who is Chair of the Clore Duffield Foundation.

UK Press via Getty Images
 
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Daily Mail/Beretta/Sims/REX
 
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Before she left, Kate was given some art of her own to take home. The students presented her with a pint-sized chair decorated with stamps donated by the Royal Household, presumably made with Prince George in mind.

Daily Mail/Beretta/Sims/REX
 
Kate looked glamorous and showed a hint of baby bump beneath her navy 'Naomi' shift dress by Madderson London (originally £450, on sale for £225, and currently sold out). The A-line frock features a bold but feminine pink, cream and navy tweed hem, with matching pocket and cuff detailing. The gold buttons add a dash of glamour.

Madderson London
 
Madderson London
 
Madderson London

Additional Details
'Channel the big 1960s trend of the season in the Naomi shift.
The navy wool comes from Hainsworth, a heritage British mill that clothed the soldiers in the Battle of Waterloo.
The designer has trimmed it with French tweed to transform a simple silhouette into something special.
 Fully lined. Sizes 8-14 UK
 The Naomi is manufactured in London.
 Body: 100% wool.
Tweed trim: 44.4% PC, 23.9% CO, 12.2% WO, 2.7% VI, 2.6% WM, 7.4% PA, 1.6% PM, 4.9% AC, 0.3% DIV.
 Lining: 60% AC, 40% CU
 Dry clean only'

Zimbio
 
This is the first time the Duchess has worn an outfit by Madderson, an upscale British women's and maternity wear label, on an official engagement. However, she is not the first royal to have worn the brand while expecting  – Zara Phillips, also favored it when pregnant with her daughter, Mia.

Daily Mail/Ben Eade/GoffPhotos.com
 
Hello! Magazine
 
If anyone had any doubt about the Kate effect being alive and well, today it was confirmed! The Madderson website struggled to cope as thousands of fans rushed to see details and ultimately crashed.

Daily Mail/Ben Eade/GoffPhotos.com
 
Mulberry
 
House of Fraser/Episode
Note: Kate's are suede not patent leather as shown in the picture above
 
The Duchess paired her dress with black opaque tights, her black suede Mulberry Bayswater clutch, and her black suede Episode Angel pumps.

Daily Mail/EPA
 
Cartier
 
She kept her jewelry to a minimum and wore her Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch, her sapphire and diamond earrings and her sapphire and diamond engagement ring. Kate wore her long hair in trademark waves.

Daily Mail/Reuters
 
Daily Mail/PA