Latest news with #FionaClare
Toronto Star
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Star
No tiara for Camilla
Alas, no tiara moment from Queen Camilla, but she did bring a bit of sparkle today: She's wearing a brooch that nods to her role as the Colonel-in-Chief of the Queen's Own Canadian Rifles, and a pearl and diamond choker. Yet again, she's surprised us with her outfit colour choice, choosing a navy Fiona Clare dress (one of her go-to designers) and a hat by royal milliner of choice Philip Treacy. Interestingly, it's the second day in a row French fashion house Chanel get a look-in. Yesterday it was the shoes, today it's her bag.
Telegraph
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
The Chelsea Flower Show dress code that will suit anyone this summer
There are so many things to love about the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Chief among them, for fashion fans at least, is the excuse to get dressed up (or admire the outfits) and honour the enduring themes of the occasion: joyful florals and spring/summer shades. For while there is no official dress code for Chelsea, there is an unspoken agreement among attendees that flora provide an endless source of sartorial inspiration. Floral prints have perennial fashion appeal, but interest has bloomed among the style set of late, cropping up in avant-garde, sculptural style on catwalks and red carpets. At Chelsea, a different interpretation seems to be taking hold this year – floral-adjacent prints, from painterly botanical patterns to delicate embroidery. Just look at the Queen, who arrived at the show on Monday in the bespoke Fiona Clare dress featuring myriad leaves. 'The Chelsea Flower Show is the perfect occasion to celebrate florals, but it's all about balance,' says Rebecca Vallance, an Australian designer whose elegant pieces are popular with British royals including Princess Eugenie (who wore a halterneck dress by Vallance to this year's Show). 'Whether you go full bloom in bold prints or just give a subtle nod with soft neutrals and delicate detailing, it should feel effortless and refined.' Alison Miley, 57, achieved just that with an H&M co-ord, accessorised with a straw hat (also from high street store) and a Dragon Diffusion bag – a gift from her children. 'I wanted something light that subtly referenced the floral theme,' she explains. 'I was originally looking for a dress, but then this popped up while I was shopping online and I thought: perfect.' Octavia Saugman, 34, also found subtle florals on the high street, showing just how chic a simple Zara dress can look with the right accessories – in her case, Flabelus pumps, Celine sunglasses and a basket bag from Asos. 'I love a floral print dress but I didn't want to go too obvious this year,' she says. 'I landed on something summery that doesn't feel too full-on.' Those wishing to achieve a similar take but willing to invest in a slightly higher price tag might look to Essentiel Antwerp's unique pieces, or The Fold's painterly prints created in collaboration with botanical artist, Rosie Sanders. Get the look Of course, there's no need to incorporate flowers into your outfit at all. 'The Chelsea Flower Show is such a visual feast in itself, so I think there's a quiet elegance in paring everything back,' says Anna Jewsbury, the artistic director of Completedworks, a fashion-forward jewellery brand that's currently part of the Chelsea in Bloom display at The Conran Shop on Sloane Square. 'Let your accessories offer a more subtle, sculptural nod to the occasion,' Jewsbury continues. This could be anything from Completedworks' own statement floral rings or a Lulu Guinness flower basket to something more subtle, like Anni Lu's pretty friendship-style bracelets. Playful accessories to try As for the rest of the outfit, there seemed to be two key schools of thought beyond florals at Chelsea this year: neutral linen separates or bolder colour blocking. When it comes to the latter, on-trend butter yellow was a recurring feature. Prue Leith gave a zestier take on the hue in a lemon blazer at the Gala Preview on Monday, while Roisin Connell, 59, found a dress in what she describes as 'the colour of the season' in Irish retailer Dunnes Stores. Connell wore her dress with Adidas trainers in chocolate brown and co-ordinating butter yellow stripes. Quirky trainers like this were another frequent sight at Chelsea, where there's rarely a heel to be seen (save for a presumably comfortable pair of wedges or two). Flashes of silver, mustard and, in Kirstie Allsopp's case, tangerine, proved that footwear can still be fun, however. While trainers are far from a faux pas, those wishing to avoid them might turn to reliably comfortable footwear brands like Penelope Chilvers or M&S. Reliably comfortable flats Pink was another popular choice of shade this year – see Mary Berry and Gloria Hunniford for great celebrity takes. On the ground, Nikki Redcliffe, 67, made the case for channelling the rose-tinted trend through tailoring. 'Normally I wear vintage, but this is by Cathcart, which is a men's brand that does a small ladies' range based on 1930s beach pyjamas,' she says. Paired with pearls, a vintage waist-cinching scarf and a cream headpiece (for vital sun protection as well as style), this was an elevated look that still offered comfort. Other chic attendees incorporated tailored pieces into more toned-down looks, including Amanda Spencer, who paired a pinstripe Zara linen blazer with a white Mint Velvet dress (plus a brilliant hat she found on holiday in St. Tropez). Then there was Kate Woodcock, 39, who wore pinstripe trousers from Me+Em with a black Cos T-shirt and Chanel pumps. 'I think it's great to lean towards pieces that echo natural forms,' says Jewsbury. 'Soft curves, organic textures, something that feels crafted rather than overly polished – pieces that complement the setting, rather than compete with it.' Whatever you wear to Chelsea (or any great British event this season), remember that the weather forecast is the ultimate style cue. A sun hat or lightweight jacket – or, realistically, both – will likely be the best accessory of all. Stylish separates
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Queen Camilla just stepped out in a beautiful evergreen flora dress at Chelsea Flower Show - and we've found it on the high street
Queen Camilla wore a green leaf print Fiona Clare Couture midi dress at the Chelsea Flower Show last night, paired with cream wedges and elegant jewellery. Fiona Clare is a designer often favoured by Camilla, and she previously wore the dress on a royal visit to Cornwall and at the National Literacy Trust's 30th anniversary. Green is a versatile colour which can be paired with a wide range of prints, from delicate and dainty to bold and vibrant. The colour's connection to nature aligns with the growing focus on sustainable fashion, signalling a forward-thinking and innovative approach to style. Green patterns can be found in various styles, from midi dresses to maxi dresses, and can be styled in a variety of ways for different occasions. We've found this style on the high street street so you can incorporate this must-have dress into your summer wardrobe. Dresses H&M Viscose Shirt Dress £16.09 Shop Dorothy Perkins Green Animal Flutter Sleeve Shirred Waist Midi Dress £32 Shop Gini London Short Sleeve Animal Print Wrap Front Midi Dress £24.50 Shop Karen Millen Petite Cotton Sateen Collar Detail Woven Midi Shirt Dress £71.40 Shop Crew Clothing Bethany Belted Shirt Dress £89 Shop Love & Roses Green Animal Print Printed V-Neck Puff Sleeve Midi Dress £65 Shop Hobbs Ennerdale V Neck Midi Dress £189 Shop Boden Elena Tiered Cotton Midi Dress £126 Shop
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Queen Camilla just nailed this season's hottest trend - shop polka dot dresses inspired by her look
Polka dots are making a major comeback this season, and Queen Camilla gave the trend a regal twist during a recent visit to Westminster Abbey. She stepped out in a custom-made navy polka dot dress by Fiona Clare, styled with classic black block heels and a coordinating clutch. For a touch of sparkle, Camilla accessorised with her eye-catching Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet, adorned with the iconic blue clover motifs, along with timeless pearl earrings. Looking to add polka dots to your own wardrobe? Discover our top picks below - then elevate your look with the stunning jewellery we've handpicked to match. Dresses Rixo Brooke Polka Dot Midi Dress £305 Shop Boden Ivy Smocked Midi Dress £112 Shop LK Bennett Mathilde Polka Dot Dress £379 Shop Monsoon Novie Polka Dot Shirt Dress £52.50 Shop Kaffe Polka Dot Dress £49 Shop Crew Olivia Dot Print Shirt Dress £62.30 Shop Aspiga Evelyn Polka Dot Dress £110 Shop Love Sunshine Polka Dot Dress £32 Shop Earrings Bracelets
NZ Herald
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
King and Queen's official Coronation portraits revealed
Laura Lopes, a gallerist and Queen Camilla's daughter who joined them for the visit, said of the portrait: 'It's so incredible. It's very flattering.' Hitting her daughter playfully on the arm, Camilla, who wore a scarlet crepe dress by Fiona Clare with the late Queen's raspberry pip brooch to the engagement, joked: 'Don't say it's very flattering! I just love it.' Tuesday's royal visit marked the official re-opening of the Sainsbury Wing after a two-year transformation for the gallery's 200th anniversary. The King and Queen met supporters and donors to the gallery, including members of the Sainsbury family and broadcaster Andrew Marr. The King, a keen patron of the arts and architecture who nevertheless once famously described an extension of the gallery as a 'monstrous carbuncle', unveiled a plaque to mark the completion of a two-year building project and the re-opening of the wing. The extension, designed by architect Peter Ahrends, was scrapped, and the final, more traditional design, built in 1991, was created by the partnership of Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown instead. John Booth, chairman of the National, delivered a short speech of welcome before inviting Their Majesties to unveil their new portraits. They were greeted inside the wing by a fanfare from the State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry Band, echoing the welcome that Queen Elizabeth received when she opened the original wing in 1991. Sir Gabriele Finaldi, director, and Booth will later introduce the King and Queen to architect Annabelle Selldorf and some of the project, building and design team. They will view the new Roden Centre for Creative Learning and the new restaurant by Giorgio and Plaxy Locatelli. The King and Queen will also be given a short tour of the gallery to see some of the works of art on loan from the Royal Collection in the redisplay, C C Land: The Wonder of Art, that opens on May 10. It includes Andrea Mantegna's painting series called The Triumphs of Caesar. Later in the day, the Queen visited a newly opened installation of poppies at the Tower of London to commemorate VE Day. Camilla admired the display of 30,000 ceramic poppies made to resemble a 'wound' at the heart of the tower, which was bombed during the Blitz. Her Majesty, wearing a red wool crepe dress by Fiona Clare and black cape as well as leather gloves adorned with poppies, matched the colours of the display. She said the display – modelled from the Tower's 2014 commemorative art installation Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red – was 'rather beautiful'. During the visit, she listened to a reading of a specially commissioned VE 80 poem by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage before planting a ceramic poppy into the ground to complete the installation. 'A painting both human and regal' Peter Kuhfeld, who painted the King, was granted five sittings over a year-and-a-half, and said he wanted to paint him as 'both human and regal'. The crown, he said, had its 'own sittings', with the King keen to discuss 'certain aspects' of the work. Paul Benney, who painted the Queen, said he had hoped to capture 'humanity and empathy', having 'hours of fascinating and sometimes hilarious conversation' with her as he worked. Kuhfeld was first commissioned by the King to paint Prince William and Prince Harry when they were aged 5 and 3, and has since travelled overseas with His Majesty as an official tour artist. The commission was kept a secret, only briefly shared with the artist's granddaughter when she accidentally spotted the painting in his studio. 'I usually start with drawings to develop my ideas and then move on to several oil studies to work out problems of composition,' said Kuhfeld. 'During this time, nobody was allowed in my studio while I was working, but one evening my eldest granddaughter forgot, when coming to tell me supper was ready; she burst through the door and came to a standstill and exclaimed, 'Oh! It's the King!'' Benney said it had been an 'honour, privilege and total pleasure' to undertake the first official portrait of her since the Coronation. 'It is with some regret that the sittings for this important commission have come to an end,' he added. 'After nearly a year of being installed in a temporary studio at Clarence House, I have deep and abiding memories of many hours of fascinating and sometimes hilarious conversation with Her Majesty on countless varied subjects. 'I shall miss the quiet and relaxed atmosphere while I was working there, even when Their Majesties were engaged elsewhere. 'My guiding principles in this commission were to both acknowledge the grand and historic nature of the Coronation iconography with all the equipage of the monarchy and at the same time reveal the humanity and empathy of such an extraordinary person taking on an extraordinary role.' After being on display at the National Gallery, of which the King is royal patron, the paintings will move to a permanent home in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace, where they can be seen by tourists during the annual summer opening. The tradition of state portraits dates back to the coronation of James VI in 1620. Following royal custom, the portrait of the King includes the Imperial State Crown, placed on a table to one side. He is wearing his Robe of State and naval uniform Number 1 Ceremonial Day Dress with medals and decorations. The Queen's portrait includes Queen Camilla's crown, formerly known as Queen Mary's crown. She wears her Coronation dress, which was designed by Bruce Oldfield. The new portraits were unveiled shortly after a new collection of artworks commemorating the Coronation. Commissioned by the King, other paintings and monochrome images show the Gold State Coach procession, heralds waiting to take part in events and the King and Queen during the Westminster Abbey coronation. The King followed a long-held tradition and commissioned five artists to capture significant events from the Coronation weekend, with four of the creatives being former students from his Royal Drawing School. The Coronation was held on May 6, 2023, and the King saw the finished pieces, now part of the Royal Collection, last September during a presentation at his Clarence House home. Meanwhile, on Tuesday night, the King joined Sir David Attenborough for his new film premiere about the world's oceans. The monarch, a lifelong environmentalist and sustainability advocate, attended the premiere to watch Attenborough's latest nature documentary, which calls attention to the importance of the ocean for the survival of life on Earth. The event comes ahead of Attenborough's 99th birthday on Thursday, for which the Prince of Wales recently paid a heartfelt tribute, describing him as a 'true giant' and an inspiration to 'my children and me'.
