Kate's transatlantic transformation: Duchess doubles up on the style statements with mid-air change

By Tamara Abraham

Last updated at 9:55 PM on 30th June 2011


She hasn't set a foot wrong so far. But if we needed any reminder of the Duchess of Cambridge's flawless fashion instincts, her arrival in Canada this afternoon was surely it.

The 29-year-old chose a white and navy lace Erdem dress to touch down in Ottawa with her husband, Prince William, for her first overseas tour as a Royal wife.

Not only was it a stylish choice, it was a diplomatic one too. Erdem Moralioglu is based in London but was born in Canada, so it carefully references both nations.

All change: The Duchess of Cambridge left Heathrow Airport in London in a Roland Mouret dress and Smythe blazer (left) but on arrival in Ottawa, Canada, she had changed into a navy lace dress by Erdem (right)

The half-Turkish designer is also hot fashion property. His designs are a favourite with first ladies Samantha Cameron and Michelle Obama, as well as celebrities including Thandie Newton and Gwyneth Paltrow.

He is known for his feminine floral prints, though a single dress can cost upwards of £1,500.

 

The Duchess's dress is from the designer's resort 2012 collection, so is likely to be a sample, as stock will not hit stores until early next year.

But given that she is known for her glossy dark locks, it seems it could well have been designed with her in mind.

Mr Moralioglu described the collection as 'eerily composed' when it launched to the press last month.

Amazing lace: Catherine referenced both Britain and Canada in the dress by Erdem Moralioglu, who was born in Montreal, but bases his label in London. His fans include Samantha Cameron and Michelle Obama

He told Style.com: 'This is my brunette collection. Visconti trumps Hitchcock.'

Catherine wisely kept her accessories simple in nude patent platform pumps and a coordinating clutch bag.

Her hair, which would have been styled on-board by her hairdresser, James Pryce, was in a demi-chignon. It was a smart decision, keeping it free from her face despite the blustery breeze at Macdonald-Cartier International Airport.

Arriving in style: The couple's Canadian tour is Catherine's first official overseas trip as a Royal wife

Catherine also won style points on her departure from London this morning, in an elegant navy Roland Mouret shift, Smythe blazer Manolo Blahnik heels and a new-season Mulberry handbag.

The fact that she is not be travelling with a stylist or even a dresser is a mark of her confidence when it comes to fashion. She and her husband have a staff of just seven people for their tour of Canada and the U.S.

In lieu of a professional fashion expert, she has been taking Amy Eastell, the PA to her husband's private secretary, on shopping trips.

Style points: On her departure from London this morning, Catherine wore an elegant navy Roland Mouret shift, Smythe blazer, Manolo Blahnik heels and a new-season Mulberry handbag

She has been spotted at Alexander McQueen’s store in Clerkenwell, London, and Belgravia boutique Emilia Wickstead, where she bought off-the-peg, with prices starting at £350.

A source said Kate had also asked top designers to send clothes to look at. They said: 'She may well borrow clothes instead of buying to cut the costs of the tour.'

The source added: 'She’s planning on wearing one outfit a day unless she has an evening event.'

She is also believed to have used style advisers at Selfridges and Harvey Nichols. Her decision to buy her clothes at high-end retailers indicates that she may be stepping away from her favourite High Street labels, such as Reiss, Whistles and LK Bennett, in favour of designer pieces.

THE U.S. AND CANADA ROYAL TOUR ITINERARY

• June 30-July 2: The National Capital Region (Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec)

The Duke and Duchess will take part in Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa on July 1

• July 2: Montreal

The pair will be in town for the final Saturday of the Montreal Jazz Festival

• July 3: Quebec City

William and Catherine will spend the day in Quebec City, before moving on to Charlottetown

• 
  July 3-4: Prince Edward Island

The Duchess is apparently a fan of Anne of Green Gables, a book set in Prince Edward Island and written by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery, which might explain this stop off

• July 4-6: Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
  
• July 6-8: Calgary, Alberta

William and Catherine will be in town for one of Calgary's biggest annual events, The Calgary Stampede on July 8, but it is unlikely that they will attend the rodeo

• July 8: Los Angeles, United States

During their three-day visit to California, the royal couple will stay at the British consul-general's residence in the historic Hancock Park district of Los Angeles
On Friday night the couple will be the guests of honor at a Consular-General Reception held by the United Kingdom Trade and Investment.

• July 9: Los Angeles, United States

In the afternoon, Prince William is expected to play at the Santa Barbara Polo Club in a charity match - the Foundation Polo Cup - to benefit the American Friends of the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry with the Duchess presenting the winners' trophy.
That evening, Catherine and William will attend a reception and dinner at the 1926 Belasco Theatre in downtown LA put on by the BAFTAs

• July 10: Los Angeles, United States

On Sunday, the couple will visit the Inner-City Arts School, an organisation helping children from a deprived neighbourhood in downtown L.A.
They will then go to Culver City's Sony Studios, where they'll visit the Service Nation: Mission Serve job fair.
Catherine and William will fly back to the UK from LAX

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