Today, we explore five unique fashion moments. We start with an outfit that many of you suggested for this series, a notable deviation from the usual style of the former Duchess of Cambridge: elegant separates by Temperley London, showcased during her 2016 visit to India and Bhutan.
The ensemble was chosen for a garden celebration commemorating the late Queen’s 90th birthday.
This event took place at the British High Commissioner’s residence in Delhi.
The ‘Delphia’ separates are from the Spring/Summer 2016 collection. According to Temperley, the crop top features the season’s theme of global curiosities with lavish embroidery patterns of Indian Chintz and lattice.
The garments are crafted from pale pink silk organza, adorned with sparkling crystals and detailed black crochet trims.
A detailed view of the embroidery and crystal decorations is shown here.
The Duchess complemented her outfit with a box clutch from Prada and strappy heels by Gianvito Rossi.
Her chandelier-style earrings date back to at least 2007.
We continue with three outfits from the 2012 Jubilee Tour. The first is a Jenny Packham design worn upon arrival in Singapore.
The visit marked the beginning of the couple’s 2012 Jubilee Tour.
After arriving, the Duke and Duchess visited Singapore’s famous Botanic Gardens.
The Duchess’s dress by Jenny Packham was a bespoke creation for the tour, adorned with orchids, Singapore’s national flower, featuring three-quarter length sleeves, a self-belt, a deep v-neckline, and a full skirt.
More details from The Daily Mail: The dress, crafted by British designer Jenny Packham, was embellished with tiny orchids which took a team of skilled artists at Chelsea firm De Gournay eight weeks to complete. ‘She looked beautiful and we are all very proud,’ stated the team at Packham.
You might remember another De Gournay print worn by the Duchess on a previous tour, the dress seen at the charity polo match in California during the 2011 North America trip.
A closer look at both prints.
The Duchess accessorized with Russell and Bromley’s Park Avenue heels and the matching handbag.
Her hair was styled partially pulled back, and she wore her Annoushka Pearl Drops and Kiki McDonough Hoops.
Later that evening, after their visit to the Botanic Gardens, the Duchess chose a Prabal Gurung design for a state dinner with Singapore’s President Tony Tan and his wife, Mrs. Mary Tan.
The event was held at the Prime Minister’s residence, the Istana.
The Prabal Gurung dress, made from a blend of wool and silk, featured a bateau neckline, three-quarter-length sleeves, and an all-silk lining.
Its most distinctive feature was the engineered print on the front and back.
More on that collection from Women’s Wear Daily (subscription required): A series of photographs titled ‘Sensual Flowers,’ by Japanese artist Nobuyoshi Araki, inspired Gurung’s engineered prints in shades of purple, teal, and black. They were arranged symmetrically down the front of georgette dresses, the patterns matching up like Rorschach images, with a nod to those highly distinctive prints from the last full collection by Alexander McQueen.
The Duchess accessorized with her black Prada pumps and Anya Hindmarch’s Bespoke Maud clutch.
She also wore the deco-design earrings and bracelet believed to be a wedding gift.
We stay with the Singapore visit for our next look, an Erdem design.
The occasion was a reception at Eden Hall, the British High Commissioner’s residence.
Another view.
The piece was a modified version of the Erdem ‘Meryl’ dress, a style from the designer’s spring 2012 collection. The dress was 100% polyester and had a round neckline, a full, pleated skirt, and a concealed zipper.
The Duchess’s dress had a lined bodice, and sheer, flyaway sleeves were added.
Accessories included the ‘Harper’ pumps by LK Bennett and a clutch by Alexander McQueen.
The Duchess’s earrings appeared to be the UFO aquamarine pair (shown here as worn on another occasion).
Next on the hit parade, another dress seen on tour, this one by American designer Lela Rose.
The “Circle Trim Dress” was worn in Australia for an evening reception at Government House during the 2014 tour.
The dress was a blend of linen and rayon, with a touch of spandex/elastane for ease of movement.
From the product description at Far Fetch: “Lace peplum dress in ivory from Lela Rose. This linen-blend sheath dress features a round neckline, circle lace short sleeves, circle lace peplum panel along the waist, and a back center slit at skirt with concealed zipper closure.” (I should note the dress was also included in our “polarizing looks” series of posts as it was not a favorite for everyone.)
The Duchess accessorized with her black suede clutch by Mulberry and the ‘Cosmic’ platform heels by Jimmy Choo.
She wore her hair up.
Her jewelry included the diamond bracelet and earrings believed to be a wedding gift.
Our final design in today’s post wasn’t worn for a tour engagement but for a somber occasion in France marking the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme in 2016.
The battle went on for months, with more than one million men killed or wounded. The day is considered by many as the worst day in British military history.
The Duke and Duchess chatted with students visiting a museum at the site.
The Duchess’s dress was a Jenny Packham design, a sheath with a Peter Pan collar, princess seaming, a peplum waist, three-quarter-length sleeves, and a back vent on the skirt.
A closer look at the lace and seam details.
The lace is by Sophie Hallette, the renowned French textile house that also made the lace for the Duchess’s wedding gown and shoes. Below, a closer look at the delicate eyelash lace at the sleeves and peplum.
The Duchess brought back a Sylvia Fletcher for Lock and Company hat, the ‘Lion Tamer Percher’ style.
She carried her ‘Bayswater’ clutch by Mulberry and wore her black suede Gianvito 105 heels.
The Duchess wore flowers of remembrance, a red poppy with its French equivalent, the cornflower.
Her hair was up.
And jewelry was minimal; the Annoushka pearl drops suspended from Kiki McDonough Hoops.
All of these received multiple mentions for inclusion as One-Hit Wonders, and all were distinctive looks. If I had to choose a favorite, I would probably go for the Delphia separates worn in India or the Jenny Packham from the Battle of the Somme.
I will see you next week with a look at formalwear styles meriting a second appearance.
