Engagement announcement dress of Kate Middleton
Encyclopedia
During the public announcement of her engagement to Prince William of Wales, on 16 November 2010, Kate Middleton wore a blue Issa dress to coordinate with the sapphire engagement ring
given to her by Prince William. The dress sold out within 24-hours of her appearance in it, and sparked a trend in "little blue dresses".
Issa's designs have been seen on celebrities such as Naomi Campbell
, Madonna
, Jennifer Lopez
, and Scarlett Johansson
, as well as William's cousins, Princess Beatrice of York
and Princess Eugenie of York
. Middleton's sister Pippa
has also been seen in Issa's clothing, including Kate's engagement dress design in a red colour, which she wore to an event in 2007.
Designer Issa told People
that she was elated that Middleton had decided to wear her dress for the engagement announcement, stating:
and the UK
after its debut. Within 24-hours the dress (retailing at £385) completely sold out at London's Harvey Nichols
store. Averyl Oates, the boutique's buying director, told Vogue
: "The dress worn by Kate sold out almost immediately. Issa is one of our best selling brands and the versatility of the pieces mean that they can be dressed down for the day and dressed up for special occasions." In New York
, where the dress retails for about $615, Monique Erickson, buyer for Issa retailer Beyond 7, was quoted as saying: "People are going crazy for this dress... We have a wait list growing by the day." The dress' popularity helped boost sales by 45% for the Issa London label.
For those with a lower budget, a short-sleeved cotton replica of the dress by designer Florence + Fred was released in British supermarket chain Tesco
for £16. The dress sold out within one hour of being placed on the Tesco website, and with limited stock available, the store expected to sell-out completely by the end of that week. Tesco's buying director Jan Marchant said: "Kate Middleton looked extremely elegant in her choice of outfit and many women wanted to find a high street replica of this now iconic dress. The rate at which the dress sold out online is testament to how influential Kate's style choices are."
Middleton's blue dress sparked a trend in "little blue dresses," as a more colourful alternative to the famous little black dress
. According to Glamour
contributing style editor Tracey Lomrantz, "Women saw (Middleton’s iridescent Issa dress) and thought, 'I want to look like her.'" The colour, with hues ranging from "from iris to cerulean, navy to indigo and everything between," was spotted across the runways and retailers after the engagement announcement. Celebrities such as Tia Carrere
, Kristen Bell
, and Amy Smart
were all spotted in shades of blue on the red carpet
during the Spring 2011 season.
Engagement ring
An engagement ring is a ring indicating that the person wearing it is engaged to be married, especially in Western cultures. In the United Kingdom, Ireland and North America, engagement rings are traditionally worn only by women, and rings can feature diamonds or other gemstones. In other cultures...
given to her by Prince William. The dress sold out within 24-hours of her appearance in it, and sparked a trend in "little blue dresses".
Background
Brazilian-born Londoner designer Daniella Issa Helayel, known for her eponymous Issa London label, has designed her versatile, form-fitting dresses under that name since 2001. A favourite of Middleton's for years prior to her engagement, she has been seen in Issa dresses through the years and has been called an "unofficial brand ambassador."Issa's designs have been seen on celebrities such as Naomi Campbell
Naomi Campbell
Naomi Campbell is a British model. Scouted at the age of 15, she established herself among the top three most recognisable and in-demand models of the late 1980s and early 1990s, and she was one of six models of her generation declared "supermodels" by the fashion world...
, Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
, Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
, and Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson is an American actress, model and singer.Johansson made her film debut in North and was later nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead for her performance in Manny & Lo . She rose to further prominence with her roles in The Horse Whisperer and Ghost World...
, as well as William's cousins, Princess Beatrice of York
Princess Beatrice of York
Princess Beatrice of York is the elder daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah, Duchess of York...
and Princess Eugenie of York
Princess Eugenie of York
Princess Eugenie of York Eugenie Victoria Helena; born 23 March 1990) is the younger daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah, Duchess of York...
. Middleton's sister Pippa
Pippa Middleton
Philippa Charlotte "Pippa" Middleton is an English party planner, socialite and younger sister of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge...
has also been seen in Issa's clothing, including Kate's engagement dress design in a red colour, which she wore to an event in 2007.
Design and Middleton's debut
The dress has been described in colour as "sapphire," "navy," and "royal blue". The deep blue colour complemented Princess Diana of Wales' sapphire engagement ring, which her son William presented to Middleton upon their engagement. The long-sleeved, low-cut wrap dress has been described as one of Issa's "classic silk jersey dresses", and along with the engagement ring, was paired with "simple black pumps" by Middleton.Designer Issa told People
People (magazine)
In 1998, the magazine introduced a version targeted at teens called Teen People. However, on July 27, 2006, the company announced it would shut down publication of Teen People immediately. The last issue to be released was scheduled for September 2006. Subscribers to this magazine received...
that she was elated that Middleton had decided to wear her dress for the engagement announcement, stating:
Reception
The dress became an instant hit and sold out almost immediately in both the USUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
after its debut. Within 24-hours the dress (retailing at £385) completely sold out at London's Harvey Nichols
Harvey Nichols
Harvey Nichols, founded in 1813, is an upmarket department store chain. Its original store is in London. Founded in 1813 as a linen shop, it sells many international brands of clothing for women and men, fashion accessories, beauty products, wine and food...
store. Averyl Oates, the boutique's buying director, told Vogue
Vogue (British magazine)
The British edition of Vogue is a fashion magazine that has been published since 1916.When British Vogue was launched, it was the first overseas edition of an existing fashion magazine. Under the magazine's first editor, Elspeth Champcommunal, the magazine was essentially the same as the American...
: "The dress worn by Kate sold out almost immediately. Issa is one of our best selling brands and the versatility of the pieces mean that they can be dressed down for the day and dressed up for special occasions." In New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, where the dress retails for about $615, Monique Erickson, buyer for Issa retailer Beyond 7, was quoted as saying: "People are going crazy for this dress... We have a wait list growing by the day." The dress' popularity helped boost sales by 45% for the Issa London label.
For those with a lower budget, a short-sleeved cotton replica of the dress by designer Florence + Fred was released in British supermarket chain Tesco
Tesco
Tesco plc is a global grocery and general merchandise retailer headquartered in Cheshunt, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues and the second-largest measured by profits...
for £16. The dress sold out within one hour of being placed on the Tesco website, and with limited stock available, the store expected to sell-out completely by the end of that week. Tesco's buying director Jan Marchant said: "Kate Middleton looked extremely elegant in her choice of outfit and many women wanted to find a high street replica of this now iconic dress. The rate at which the dress sold out online is testament to how influential Kate's style choices are."
Middleton's blue dress sparked a trend in "little blue dresses," as a more colourful alternative to the famous little black dress
Little black dress
A little black dress is an evening or cocktail dress, cut simply and often quite short. Fashion historians ascribe the origins of the little black dress to the 1920s designs of Coco Chanel, intended to be long-lasting, versatile, affordable, accessible to the widest market possible and in a neutral...
. According to Glamour
Glamour (magazine)
Glamour is a women's magazine published by Condé Nast Publications. Founded in 1939 in the United States, it was originally called Glamour of Hollywood....
contributing style editor Tracey Lomrantz, "Women saw (Middleton’s iridescent Issa dress) and thought, 'I want to look like her.'" The colour, with hues ranging from "from iris to cerulean, navy to indigo and everything between," was spotted across the runways and retailers after the engagement announcement. Celebrities such as Tia Carrere
Tia Carrere
Tia Carrere is an American actress, model, voice artist, and singer, perhaps most widely known for her role as Cassandra Wong in the feature films Wayne's World and Wayne's World 2, Queen Tyr'ahnee in Duck Dodgers, and as Sydney Fox in the TV series Relic Hunter.-Early life:Carrere was born in...
, Kristen Bell
Kristen Bell
Kristen Anne Bell is an American actress. Although her first film role was an uncredited appearance in Polish Wedding, Bell previously acted in stage and musical productions. In 2001, she made her Broadway debut as Becky Thatcher in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer...
, and Amy Smart
Amy Smart
Amy Lysle Smart is an American television and film actress and former fashion model.-Early life:Smart was born in Topanga, California. Her mother, Judy Lysle , worked at a museum, and her father, John Boden Smart, was a salesman...
were all spotted in shades of blue on the red carpet
Red carpet
A red carpet is traditionally used to mark the route taken by heads of state on ceremonial and formal occasions, and has in recent decades been extended to use by VIPs and celebrities at formal events.- History :...
during the Spring 2011 season.