7 of the best gastropubs around Ireland
7 of the best gastropubs around Ireland

IMAGE

WIN a luxurious 2-night stay at Fota Island Resort
WIN a luxurious 2-night stay at Fota Island Resort

Edaein OConnell

Cocktail Club: For something out of the ordinary, try this green tea infused tipple
Cocktail Club: For something out of the ordinary, try this green tea infused tipple

Megan Burns

Real Weddings: Sarah and Karl’s festive celebrations in Co Wicklow
Real Weddings: Sarah and Karl’s festive celebrations in Co Wicklow

Edaein OConnell

Lisa O’Connor talks art, activism, and the magic that happens when the two collide
Lisa O’Connor talks art, activism, and the magic that happens when the two collide

Sarah Gill

Friends as family: How the company we keep can change our lives
Friends as family: How the company we keep can change our lives

Roe McDermott

Poppy O’Toole (aka Poppy Cooks) shares her life in food
Poppy O’Toole (aka Poppy Cooks) shares her life in food

Sarah Gill

My Life in Culture: Director Louisa Connolly-Burnham
My Life in Culture: Director Louisa Connolly-Burnham

Sarah Finnan

The IMAGE Weddings 2025 Ultimate Venue Guide is out now!
The IMAGE Weddings 2025 Ultimate Venue Guide is out now!

Ciara Elliot

How to wrap a cylindrical gift: try this step-by-step guide
How to wrap a cylindrical gift: try this step-by-step guide

Megan Burns

Image / Fashion

Kate Wears New Dress, Crashes Website


By Jeanne Sutton
16th Jan 2015
Kate Wears New Dress, Crashes Website

Kate Middleton is one of fashion’s biggest names. One royal-by-marriage appearance in a designer frock and the free advertising across every tabloid and news website imaginable is invaluable. Remember that navy Issa dress she wore when announcing her engagement to Prince William? The company became a household name in the frenzied aftermath. Such is Kate’s sartorial influence that the term the ?Kate Effect? has even been coined. The effect is basically a guaranteed wait list, headlines, and a host of new fans for the lucky brand.

This time round Madderson, a British maternity and womenswear label, received the Duchess of Cambridge’s patronage. It was the first time the 33-year-old wore the label and within 24 hours the navy wool shift ?Naomi? dress had sold out and the website crashed for a few hours. Good day of business. It’s especially great to see an unknown label being given such attention – we suspect their Facebook fan count will rise significantly from the current figure of 820… And Madderson is produced in the UK – great show of patriotism on everyone’s part.

A photo posted by Hello Hair Hydrating Mask? (@ohhellohair) on Jan 15, 2015 at 9:27pm PST

The Duchess wore the now famous dress while visiting Barlby primary school yesterday where she was attending the opening of a new art room. The dress was ideal fit for the five months pregnant Duchess who always tends towards simple cuts. She teamed the outfit with her usual simple pumps and a pair of simple black opaques. The sensibility of the whole ensemble was offset by the flirty pink tweed hemline and little pocket flaps.

Kate’s style of late has been undergoing subtle changes. Last November it was revealed her personal assistant Natasha Archer was promoted to the role of stylist. Ever since skirts have been a tiny bit shorter – in spite of reported commands from the Queen that they become more ‘respectable’ – and there was even some sheer paneling action with a Temperley London number.

So mums to be, would you be willing to waitlist for some Madderson?

Follow Jeanne Sutton on Twitter @jeannedesutun