Kate Middleton – Fashion Icon or Fashion Fail?

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Please welcome Obession's first
guest writer Isabella A. Woods!

William’s new missus can’t seem to put a foot wrong. But there is one corner of the commenterati that can’t make their minds up about her. The fashion world is notoriously catty, as anyone who has seen The September Issue will know. If you haven’t seen this movie, drop everything NOW and go and rent a copy. It is a brilliant, brilliant documentary film about the famous, yep, September issue of Vogue, which has to be the biggest and best edition of the year, by dint of some tradition, the reasons for which escape me. Probably something to do with ‘trends’ or ‘seasons’. Edited by the notorious ice-maiden that is Anna Wintour - whose stare could shatter you at 100 paces – Vogue is the final word in glamour and high fashion, and whilst Wintour is the boss from hell, she certainly knows exactly what she’s doing. And if Wintour wants something she usually gets it.

If you have seen the movie you will understand the excitement of hearing through the gossip-vine that none other than our own little home-counties girl Kate Middleton has been asked to appear on the cover of Vogue. Oh the thrill of it! What will she wear? The lengths to which Vogue will go to produce beautiful images are extraordinary. They will fly gamine models to Machu Picchu in the monsoon season, along with a twelve-man crew, in order to get the right photo. But whatever the shoot costs, Wintour will reject the photos if they are not 100% perfect.

Simply The Best

It is no surprise, therefore, to hear that Vogue had lined up the ‘world’s greatest photographer’ Mario Testino to do the shoot for Middleton. And he would not have been a stranger either. Mario Testino has a close relationship with the Royal Family, and was commissioned by them to take the royal couple’s engagement photographs. It would have been a dream pairing!

It’s Not Gonna Happen

So what’s gone wrong? The rumours are that Kate’s mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth, has put the dampeners on the idea. You know how it is with mothers-in-law, they don’t have to actually say anything. You can just tell they don’t approve. And to be fair to her and Kate, who is happy to do as she is told, the modern royal are trying to salvage their reputation at present. The Royal Wedding was an unmitigated success in PR terms, and the hiccups with embarrassing minor royals have been eclipsed for now by the warm and fuzzy glow we got from that event. The Windsors don’t feel it is appropriate for the future Queen to be over-involved in something as ephemeral as the fashion world.

Not That Interested

Much to the disappointment of the fashion world, Kate has never expressed a particular desire to be known as a fashion icon. She has more important matters on her mind and does not want to risk trivializing the monarchy. With a hectic charity and public duty schedule she has to be more aware of her appearance than most, but she never fails to impress with her quiet elegance. Whilst some complained that her Alexander McQueen wedding dress lacked flair, Vogue praised it for its ‘elegance and intricate detail’.

Approval From The Top

Always the voice of authority, Anna Wintour herself has given Middleton the seal of approval, commenting, ‘She dresses her age and never looks out of place’. Quite. That’s all Kate needs in order to be the focus of the fashion world. And she doesn’t need moving companies to take her wardrobe around the world either. Modesty and frugality is ‘in’. Her style is understated, never showy or ostentatious. She often prefers high street fashion to haute couture and that has endeared her to the Brits in the current recession. She wore a gorgeous blue dress by Issa for her engagement announcement, but also wore a dress from Topshop for her 25th birthday. Her official engagement photos, by Testino she wore a dress from high street retailer Reiss. She shopped at Whistles, Banana Republic and Warehouse for her honeymoon outfits. Her jeans have always been Diesel or Hudson Reilly. Not out of reach for those who want to copy her.

Get The Look

Vogue has a ‘style progression slideshow’ for Kate Middleto, which shows how she has matured in the last few years. See if you think she’s a fashion icon or a fashion fail! Me, I’d say icon. I love the understated classic look.

Vogue’s pictures of Kate include the following:

Dresses by Issa, Temperley, Amanda Wakeley, Jenny Packham, Roland Mouret, Erdem, Zara and Reiss; coats and jackets by Jane Troughton, Libelula, Kathering Hooker, Alexander McQueen, Burberry and Joseph; boots and shoes by Aquatalia (Marvin K), Rupert Sanderson Malone, Manolo Blahnik, LK Bennett; hats and fascinators by A Lock & Co. (by couture milliner Sylvia Fletcher, and Rachel Trevor-Morgan  and Vivien Sheriff; clutches and handbags by Anya Hindmarch Maud, Polly Pushlock, Emmy Scarterfield, LK Bennett and Prada; Earrings by Kiki McDonough, Links of London.