Kate Middleton's Standout Fashion Look Was Her Most 'Controversial'
One of the Princess of Wales' standout fashion moments from 2023 was also one of her most controversial, a celebrity stylist has explained in a new episode of Newsweek's The Royal Report podcast.
Kate's style has been celebrated this year as she has adopted a new working wardrobe of colorful streamlined pantsuits contrasted with elegant evening wear, however, one look which was styled for the BAFTA Film Awards in London back in February pushed her aesthetic with an avant-garde twist.
Discussing Kate's red carpet appearance with Newsweek's chief royal correspondent, Jack Royston, celebrity stylist and royal fashion expert Miranda Holder told Royal Report listeners that though the flowing white Alexander McQueen gown and dramatic black evening glove combination worn by the princess wasn't to everyone's taste, it was a bona fide "fashion moment."
"We have seen some glorious outfits, one that really sticks in my mind is the BAFTAs which was quite controversial and although not my favourite version of Kate, it was a favourite fashion moment because it felt like a fashion moment," she said.
"She got fun [with it], and I love the fact that they were inventive enough to rework that Alexander McQueen gown."
The dress was an adapted version, the original having been worn by the princess to the BAFTAs back in 2019.
"It was a reprise of that gown," Holder explained. "And they changed the shoulder to make it look different, which I thought was just wonderful. It's so now, and such a great example to everyone where sustainability and fashion as well as of course, the cost of living, is a factor. But then she made a real moment with those oversized statement Zara earrings. They were fabulous. And then the black opera gloves, which if you remember were very controversial."
The inclusion of the black gloves divided royal fashion followers online and though a deviation from Kate's classic style, followed a trend seen on the catwalks of London Fashion Week.
"The opera gloves were particularly pertinent because it had come straight off the back of Fashion Week, which happens twice a year, and the opera gloves were big on the runways," Holder explained. "They've been a big fashion story that season in particular, and they've filtered down now to the high street shops. So, you're seeing them. People who are brave enough to go for it are embracing the look."
"It felt very fashion forward because it was high fashion," she concluded. "You know, the contrast of those black gloves with the white dress was quite a look and the Zara earrings. Though to be honest, I love the High Street factor, but I do wish she'd gone for a more sustainable brand, or maybe a more independent brand for such a big moment, but I could see what she was trying to do. So that one really stuck in my head."
James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek's royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.
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