Latest news with #AlessandraRich
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Evening Standard
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Evening Standard
Summer dress guide 2025: hot trends for the beach, office and Royal Ascot
M&S called it earlier this year, when it sent out its spring/summer collection without heavy prints. 'It's just stripes this season,' one representative told me. 'Oh — and polka dots. Polka dots will be big this summer.' A statement that has been confirmed before June has even struck, no less. For some, a dotted dress can only be a chilling reminder of 'the Zara dress', a frock that defined the summer six years ago, but for many (and they are an armada led by the Princess of Wales) a cream-to-ivory silk or satin dress with navy or black polka dots will make for the perfect occasion wear frock in the coming months. Kate's favourites are from Alessandra Rich (£1,685, but Me+Em (£595, the more wallet-friendly Nobody's Child (£99, and wedding-appropriate Rixo (£275, all do similar versions. Now the Telegraph has blasted their popularity on its front page, however, I'd heed caution before wearing one to Ascot — unless you have no intention of standing out from the crowd.
Fashion Network
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fashion Network
Harrods opens key occasionwear space, adds new exclusives
Harrods is continuing to reshape its physical fashion spaces and has just unveiled Designer Collections – Room 3 (DC3), the latest addition to its womenswear portfolio and 'the next chapter in the evolution of the first floor — a cornerstone of the wider Harrods Masterplan, the store's ambitious multi-year transformation of the customer experience'. It's positioned between 'the relaxed sophistication of' Designer Collection – Room 1 (DC1) and Room 2 (DC2) with the 'formal elegance' of the new Evening & Occasion Room said to 'redefine occasionwear through a contemporary lens'. The space, designed by David Collins Studio, is essentially dedicated to day-to-evening dressing, 'offering a considered wardrobe for the discerning woman whose calendar spans everything from refined lunches to elevated celebrations'. What this means in practice is a room that features an edit of fluid tailoring, statement dresses and 'polished' separates, 'curated with a focus on silhouette, craftsmanship, and seasonal relevance'. The retailer is building on the momentum of the earlier makeovers of DC1 and DC2 that opened in November 2024 'while extending the narrative into a new, occasion-led space'. Importantly, the floor introduces five directional brands to Harrods womenswear. Included are Adam Lippes, Carolina Herrera Daywear and Valenti, all in UK department store exclusives. Also new to the store are Liberowe and Edeline Lee, that latter unveiling a global exclusive capsule collection. The space also includes 'a refined edit' of established names — such as Alessandra Rich, Erdem, and Roksanda — 'all dual-sited to enhance the cross-category experience across Womenswear'. The company said it's 'more than a seasonal launch, DC3 is a platform for year-round wardrobe evolution. From light spring tailoring to rich autumnal textures, the space will continuously adapt to reflect the rhythm of the fashion calendar and the ever-changing needs of Harrods' clientele'.
Fashion Network
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fashion Network
Harrods opens key occasionwear space, adds new exclusives
Harrods is continuing to reshape its physical fashion spaces and has just unveiled Designer Collections – Room 3 (DC3), the latest addition to its womenswear portfolio and 'the next chapter in the evolution of the first floor — a cornerstone of the wider Harrods Masterplan, the store's ambitious multi-year transformation of the customer experience'. It's positioned between 'the relaxed sophistication of' Designer Collection – Room 1 (DC1) and Room 2 (DC2) with the 'formal elegance' of the new Evening & Occasion Room said to 'redefine occasionwear through a contemporary lens'. The space, designed by David Collins Studio, is essentially dedicated to day-to-evening dressing, 'offering a considered wardrobe for the discerning woman whose calendar spans everything from refined lunches to elevated celebrations'. What this means in practice is a room that features an edit of fluid tailoring, statement dresses and 'polished' separates, 'curated with a focus on silhouette, craftsmanship, and seasonal relevance'. The retailer is building on the momentum of the earlier makeovers of DC1 and DC2 that opened in November 2024 'while extending the narrative into a new, occasion-led space'. Importantly, the floor introduces five directional brands to Harrods womenswear. Included are Adam Lippes, Carolina Herrera Daywear and Valenti, all in UK department store exclusives. Also new to the store are Liberowe and Edeline Lee, that latter unveiling a global exclusive capsule collection. The space also includes 'a refined edit' of established names — such as Alessandra Rich, Erdem, and Roksanda — 'all dual-sited to enhance the cross-category experience across Womenswear'. The company said it's 'more than a seasonal launch, DC3 is a platform for year-round wardrobe evolution. From light spring tailoring to rich autumnal textures, the space will continuously adapt to reflect the rhythm of the fashion calendar and the ever-changing needs of Harrods' clientele'.
Telegraph
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Six years on from that Zara dress, polka dots are back on trend
Transport yourself back to the summer of 2019, and picture the following scene: it's morning rush hour on the train platform. The temperature is a balmy 23 degrees. Around you, commuters are preparing for a day in the office and, by some bizarre twist of fashion fate, they're all wearing the same thing: a £39.99 Zara midi dress, white with black polka-dots. For months that year, it seemed as if 'The Dress' (as it became known) was inescapable, popping up not just at work but at summer barbecues, on nights out, in the aisles of Tesco and even on the telly, thanks to BBC presenter Victoria Derbyshire. Wherever you looked, everyone was hot for spots. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hot 4 The Spot (@hot4thespot) Every bubble must burst, however, and soon polka-dots began to feel tired – less Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, more high street sale rail. Since then, the print has fallen out of favour, readily replaced first by a flurry of florals and now by a succession of on-trend block colours, from mocha and dove grey, to this spring's must-have butter yellow. It seemed as if polka-dots had been retired by most of us for good – until the Princess of Wales reintroduced them in a way that felt enticingly fresh once more. For the recent Thanksgiving service to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day, Catherine pulled an old favourite from the back of her wardrobe: an Alessandra Rich polka-dot midi dress, which she last wore in 2023. Her appearance followed hot on the heels of fashion's biggest night out, the Met Gala, at which actress Priyanka Chopra stole the show in a slickly tailored, custom polka-dot gown by Balmain. Elegant, understated and with a touch of whimsy – suddenly, spots look right again. 'They have an enduring charm that sets them apart from other patterns like florals and stripes,' says Orlagh McCloskey, co-founder of Rixo. 'There's a classic quality to them – think Jane Birkin's printed ties and the outfits of old Hollywood stars like Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn.' Kay Barron, fashion director at Net-a-Porter, also cites Kate's late mother-in-law as a key reference: 'Princess Diana was known for her iconic polka-dot looks – the two that stand out to me are the blue-and-red dress she wore to the Othello premiere in 1986, and the navy-and-white look she wore to Ascot in 1988, complete with a matching hat.' Whoever you choose as your inspiration, the real beauty of a dotty print lies in how easy it is to style. Team Rixo's cotton Eleanor dress with white heels and a matching clutch and you're good to go for any event. Follow Catherine's lead with The Kooples' floaty shirt dress – a clear winner for the Chelsea Flower Show, Royal Ascot or a smart summer party. Take a leaf from the Princess' book and pair it with all-black accessories. Barron suggests styling polka-dots with another, contrasting pattern for a modern update on the look. 'For spring/summer 2025, Acne Studios really stood out for showcasing polka-dots on the runway, especially skirts paired with clashing prints,' she says. Try Me+Em's maxi dress with Reformation's leopard print 'Winnie' mules for a contemporary take on siren style. Silk Polka Dot Maxi Dress + Corsage, £595, Me+Em One important consideration with polka-dots is their size. As McCloskey explains, 'smaller dots add a delicate, subtle charm to designs, perfect for a more refined look,' while larger prints 'make a bold statement that can turn a simple outfit into a standout one'. For example, French Connection's strappy frock looks plucked straight from the cupboard of Betty Draper, while Sézane's 'Rosie' dress is more statement-making – try it with a pair of sculptural earrings, like the 'Flower Bud' design from YSSO. After several years of skulking behind the scenes, monochrome polka-dots are ready to take centre stage once again. 'While they bring a sense of fun and playfulness to an outfit, there's still something so timeless about them,' explains Barron. And honestly? She's spot on. Shop some dots...
Vogue Arabia
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue Arabia
Kate Just Gave 2025's Sloaniest Trend the Royal Seal of Approval
In 2023, Catherine, Princess of Wales made a couple of headlines for wearing a form-fitting, polka-dot Alessandra Rich dress, paired with Princess Diana's Collingwood pearl drop earrings to the Order of the Garter – an outfit some people compared to Eliza Doolittle's black-and-white gown in My Fair Lady : the tale of a young woman's transformation into upper echelons of aristocracy. (Hmm… sounds familiar…) Kate at the Order of the Garter in forward two years, and the Princess – slash Queen of Rewears, as British Vogue 's Emily Chan put it – sported the exact same combination for a service marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day this afternoon. Led by King Charles, Queen Camilla and Prince William, Kate entered today's Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in a solemn take on what was a previously jubilant outfit, including a funereal fascinator by the Shrewsbury-based milliner Juliette Botterill with Ralph Lauren pumps and DeMellier London's The Nano Montreal handbag in a coordinating shade of toffee. The Princess of Wales at the Service of Thanksgiving. Photo: Chris Jackson (Getty Images) Much like her beloved skinny jeans, Kate's enduring relationship with polka dots has been rehabilitated on recent runways. 'While the polka dot print was once the preserve of Holland Park mums on the school run,' wrote this magazine's Olivia Allen back in April, 'lately it has been shaking off its sloaney associations to emerge as something fresh, and altogether more fashion-friendly.' To wit: Conner Ives presented sheer slips appliquéd with large tonal spots for autumn/winter 2025 and Valentino scattered them on '80s-inspired cocktail dresses, while Moschino blew them up to Mickey Mouse-sized proportions on power-shouldered blazers that same season. Kate joined Prince William at today's back to the earrings: gifted to Diana from Collingwood jewellers, these pearl drop jewels – which hang from two round diamonds at the top and three rows of smaller diamonds underneath – were famously worn by the then-Princess of Wales as part of her going away outfit, following her wedding to Prince Charles in 1981, and later as part of that infamous 'revenge dress' ensemble. Kate has worn the earrings in tribute to Diana on multiple occasions since having been bestowed them some time around 2017. If the royals have long recycled old, heirloom pieces, the Princess of Wales seems committed to continuing the same tradition with her own personal archive of rewears.
