Royal Fashion Minute: Wedding of Zara Phillips and English Rugby Player Mike Tindall

A (Somewhat) Subdued Royal Wedding:

Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall Wed in Edinburgh Scotland

Yesterday afternoon, the nuptials of Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall took place at Canongate Kirk in the Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Scotland. Zara happens to be the only daughter of Princess Anne and her first husband Captain Mark Phillips. She's thirteenth in the line of succession--to the British Royal Crown. Her new husband, Mike Tindall is an English Rugby star and world rugby champion. He also looks straight out of "Central Casting" for a Guy Ritchie film--with his broken nose and one-too-many pints of beer body frame!

The Kiss: Mike Tindall and Zara Phillips

There was a bit of a "scandal" early on before the wedding took place in that it was said that Zara and Mike wanted to sell the exclusive rights to the Wedding Photos to Hello Magazine (you know the way all those top US celebs get their wedding on the cover of Us Weekly, OK, People Magazines). Well, the Queen, yes, THAT Queen, put the kibosh on that one, saying A.) How tacky that was and B.) That it was going to be a "private family affair".

But back to the Wedding:

The Invitation, Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall Wedding

Bride with Father: Zara Phillips entering Canongate Kirk with her father , Captain Mark Phillips

The Bride wore an ivory silk taffeta gown from Stewart Parvin, a London-based designer who is a favorite with the British Royals--so much so he even has the "By Appointment to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II" Royal Stamp of "approval". The tiara Zara wore was lent to her by her mother, Princess Anne:

Zara Phillips (Left) and Princess Anne (Right) wearing the "Princess Andrew of Greece's Meander Tiara"

It is the Princess Andrew of Greece's Meander Tiara, which was originally given to then Princess Elizabeth on her wedding by her mother-in-law, Princess Andrew of Greece and Denmark.

Princes Anne recently wore it during the May 2011 State Visit to the US by the British Royals as seen from the photo above.

The Guest List:

Royal Guests included the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Catherine, naturally. As usual, all eyes were on Kate for what she would wear. Well, kids she did some Fashion-Recycling (she's very "Recessionista" like that!).

Catherine wore a muted gold brocade coat which she had actually already worn before--at least TWO TIMES!!!Alas, her fab chapeau was new.

First at the 2006 wedding of Laura Parker Bowles at St. Cyriac's Church in Lacock, Wiltshire...

And then, last year, at the wedding of Mel Nicholson and Oli Baker at St. Andrews (above photo).

Prince Charles and Camilla Duchess of Cornwall: The Prince of Wales and Heir to the Throne, was ever-so-dashing in a silver-grey "Morning Suit" with tails, pocket scarf and a boutonniere (Love his pinky ring! Soooo "old school"!). Camilla wore a mint green silk shantung coat with side pleats and a great head-framing flower fascinator.

Princess Beatrice: Beatrice, did not disappoint in her turquoise-blue ensemble featuring a heavily embroidered skirt and once again, a fun sassy "Plate" hat.

Princess Eugenie and Prince Andrew Duke of York: Eugenie, seen above with her father, also brought the "Fashion Quota" up to this wedding, wearing a chocolate brown pencil skirt with a creme jacket with back detail and yes, a FAB hat! Love the stacked nude-colored pumps on both sisters as well (Beatrice's are in the background).

Princess Anne: Mother of the Bride Princess Anne, wore a Portrait-Collar flower-printed creme and coral red cropped jacket with a matching coral fan-pleated flared dress, gloves and metallic nude pumps. Her iconic up-do bouffant perfectly coiffed of course.

Naturally, I have to take this time to remind everyone of HER fabulous 1973 Wedding and THAT "Lady Macbeth"-sleeved gown she wore--as well as to how handsome her husband, Captain Mark Phillips was.

Finally, HRH Queen Elizabeth II: Queen Elizabeth II attended her granddaughter Zara's wedding, in a dusty rose coat, matching hat and her famous gloves and purse. Looking every inch a Queen.

Happy Honeymoon Zara!!!

Royal Fashion Minute: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge Wedding Gown Exhibition at Buckingham Palace!

Bridal Exhibition:

Fit For a Museum: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge's Alexander McQueen by Sarah Burton Custom Wedding Gown, Buckingham Palace Exhibit

Today, a new Exhibition was unveiled in London---in Buckingham Palace no less. I was just in London several weeks back and both my NIKOLAKI partner, David Paul and I went by Buckingham Palace and saw that they were setting up for this--and we were going to visit the museum--however, it had closed just as we arrived.

White Gloved Train: Caroline de Guitaut, curator of the display, lays out the train of Catherine Duchess of Cambridge's Wedding Gown

Well, good thing, because we wouldn't have seen the now iconic Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen Wedding Gown that Catherine Duchess of Cambridge wore to "The Royal Wedding of the Year" back on the 29th of April! Today was the "Unveiling" of the exhibit, and naturally, Catherine as well as her Grandmother-in-Law, Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth II, were there to witness it all.

Royal Mother In Law: Queen Elizabeth II and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge

Catherine wore a blush-colored fitted dress with 3/4-length sleeves and matching pumps. No word yet on the designer. The Queen wore a silk flower-printed dress with her FAB pearls. It was overheard that she exclaimed (as she saw the exhibit of the gown on a headless mannequin): "Horrid, isn't it? Horrid and dreadful!" The Queen is known for having a "wicked" sense of humor...Love that!

Detail Shot: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge Wedding Gown by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, Buckingham Palace Exhibit

The Exhibition--which opens tomorrow (Saturday), includes the aforementioned wedding gown, which the bride wore when she married Prince William at Westminster Abbey (we passed by there as well!!), as well as the earrings...

The shoes--also from the House of Alexander McQueen, were lace covered pumps (we barely saw them on TV during the wedding ceremony!) and have 3-4 inch high heels. Good to know. By the way, Catherine's waist size "Small", is all the curator would divulge. Yeah, I get that!

The Tiara she wore during the ceremony. This is the Cartier "Halo" Tiara that Queen Elizabeth received from her mother on her 18th Birthday. The Queen Mother had been given this Tiara as a gift from her husband, in 1936, the then-Duke of York.

The Bouquet: There is also an artificial version of her flower bouquet, designed by Shane Connolly and inspired by the favorite flowers of the Royal Family--as well as the Middleton's.

And of course, even a copy of The Wedding Cake is on display, which was a creation from the very posh-and sought after Fiona Cairns, Luxury Baking Queen!

The Exhibition begins TOMORROW, July 23rd. Click HERE for Ticket and Info.

Royal Fashion Minute: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge Gives you Military Chic in Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall 2011

Salute Couture!

Soldier Girl: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge in Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall 2011

Over the weekend, on Saturday, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge--and yes, new wife of Prince William--stepped out with her Prince, attending the Irish Guards Medal Parade, in the Victoria Barracks, in London England. As usual, Catherine looked FANTASTIC (does she ever get it wrong??) in a Military-inspired (how apropos?) navy wool crepe double-breasted coat-dress with brass buttons and epaulets from Alexander McQueen's Pre-Fall 2011 Collection. On the original model--in the McQueen Look Book (on the right) it is not a dress but a coat with an open "cut-out" section. Of course it was customized for the Duchess!

Try Not To Be Excited Boys: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge, greeting the Irish Guards, Irish Guard Medal Parade, London England

Catherine accessorized her look with a golden Irish shamrock brooch, an Anya Hindmarch Marano clutch as well as a chic little matching pillbox hat with a looped ribbon and feather by Rachel Trevor-Morgan--the ribbon detail is VERY Korean Airlines flight attendant if I don't say so...(I just did!)

And lest we forget, Prince William also looked dashing in his Military uniform and coat!! Seriously! THAT is a COAT huney!!! It could have come straight from a McQueen Collection as well!!!!

Royal Fashion Minute: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge Edition

Fashion Duchess...

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge has been quite busy this last week and that only means one thing...MORE FASHION! Above we see Catherine wearing Alexander McQueen Resort 2011 to the Trooping the Colour. The Trooping of the Colour is the official commemoration of Queen Elizabeth II's Birthday. She also wore a black Philip Treacy Hat. Loved that coat and the side draped cascade godets. This is from the same collection as the white blouse the First Lady, Michelle Obama wore when she visited London last month.

Later that day--yes, OUTFIT CHANGE!!!---Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, kept the Philip Treacy hat but switched into this black and white geometric print satin sheath dress by Zara to attend a wedding. Go Zara!!! Go Catherine--and GO Geometric Prints!!!

On Monday, Catherine wore a blue Jane Troughton brocade coat over a pleated Zara dress to attend Prince Phillip's 90th Birthday celebration. She really is looking like a Royal in 2.2 seconds; The printed three-quarter coats, the hats, the colors. Someone is schooling her right!

And then finally, to attend the Order of the Garter Ceremony, the Duchess wore a beautifully tailored light grey Katherine Hooker three-quarter coat (see, I told you!) over a silk cowl neck draped dress (also by Katherine Hooker). She finished the look off with a fantastic Rachel Trevor-Morgan fascinator. Her Press Office, her Stylist and Miss Catherine!....are WORKING OVERTIME! It seems that her Momma done taught her right--fashion and other-wise...

Royal Fashion Minute: Prince William and Duchess of Cambridge attend ARK Gala Dinner

Steppin' Out...

Perfect Couple: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, 10th Annual ARK Gala Dinner at Kensington Palace

Last night, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge--Prince William and "Kate"--attended the 10th Annual ARK/Absolute Return For Kids Gala Dinner at Kensington Palace in London. Of course, what was on everyone's minds--at least we the Fashion Watchers--was what the newly-titled Duchess of Cambridge would be wearing. Well, kids, she did not disappoint.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge wearing Jenny Packham to the 10th Annual ARK Gala Dinner at Kensington Palace

She wore a rose-colored silk tulle and Swarovski-crystal beaded high-neck gown with fluttery sleeve details, by British Designer Jenny Packham. Packham, in case you didn't know, is a graduate of the prestigious Central Saint Martins College of Art. Her designs are favored by many Red Carpet actresses (Sandra Bullock for example) and is a constant presence at the top Awards Shows.

The gown--which retails for 3,147 Euro (about $6300) is currently SOLD OUT in the UK (of course). Her side-bow detailed pumps were by LK Bennett (see close-up above of the shoe--and the rolled-up hem of her beaded gown).

Also in attendance were Elizabeth Hurley, who wore a light gray one-shoulder side-gathered gown by Italian Designer Roberto Cavalli. She looked AMAZING! The gown with that side-slit, hair and those platforms did look a bit "Miss Universe Evening Gown Competition" but well, as you guys know: I LOVE THAT!!

Prince Pavlos of Greece with his wife Princess Marie-Chantal Miller: Wearing what clearly was the color of the night.

English model Laura Bailey wore Valentino Spring 2011. You may remember her from way back in the day when she first became famous as actor Richard Gere's girlfriend.

British model Saffron Aldridge wore a beautiful "Mermaid"-shaped lemon-yellow gown with drop-shoulder sleeves. Interesting Family Side Note: Her half-sister is Victoria's Secret Model Lily Aldridge (who is married to Kings of Leon frontman Caleb Followill), and her half-brother is Miles Aldridge who is a fashion photographer married to Kristen McMenamy.

Wackiest Outfit Award goes to:
British actress Katrine Boorman, wearing this bright yellow get-up and flower-detailed hat. One word: Mess. Is she going to spend a week in Positano in this bright yellow cotton sun-dress? Or is she going to a Garden Party in West Hollywood? I don't think she even knows. And I haven't even begun on those shoes! Oh Katrine....

Worst Dressed Award goes to:
Sophie Dahl: When you are going to an event that you know Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge will be attending, don't you think you need to step it up a teeny-weeny bit? Would you like to greet William and Kate in this ensemble? Here's the answer: NOPE! Poor Sophie, she looks like a shop girl at my local H&M who is just about DONE with her 10-hour work day!!!

The Always Picture Perfect Award goes to:
Tom Ford: Seriously. Just look at him! That deep-purple velvet jacket of his (Tom Ford I assume?) is scissor-SHARP! The cummerbund (it's officially BACK!!!), the pants, the patent leather shoes and that perfect bow tie! Jesus, does this man EVER get it wrong?? I doubt it.

Royals Fashion Minute: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge and Queen Elizabeth II at the Epsom Derby

Proper Kate...

Just today, Prince William and his lovely wife, Catherine Duchess of Cambridge stepped out to the Races--They went to Epson England, in the UK of course, for the 2011 Epsom Downs Derby.

The "Peacock" Dress, from Reiss

All eyes were on Catherine as she sported a very proper ensemble which included a cream dress with mesh and cording embroidery by British brand Reiss. I absolutely LOVE Reiss and own several items--from the Men's section of course--they are elegant yet fashion-forward clothing, and (somewhat) reasonably priced.

It's not for the "I'm broke" College Crowd but more for the "I-just got-a-really good job in a Fashion PR company" kind. Now, if you go to the company's site, you can't even find the dress she just wore (well, in the cream). I'm sure it's another case of "It's SOLD OUT!". Leave it to Miss Kate. Reiss should send her a TRUNK-FULL of free clothing. I'm sure they already have...

The "Nessie Tweed Jacket" from Joseph, at Selfridges

Over the Reiss dress, she wore a modified Nehru collar jacket with patch pockets, also in cream. The cotton jacket (seen above in navy) was from the brand Joseph and it can be found at UK retailer Selfridges & Co. The entire look was elegant, Derby-proper and most of all, she wore British! Loved the hat as well.

Of course, we cannot forget Prince William and how dapper he looked in his top hat and suit! I love the carnation boutonniere especially. It's all about boutonnieres kids!!! They are not just for Proms.

Pink Queen: Queen Elizabeth II arriving at the 2011 Epsom Derby

Finally, we have THE QUEEN! No, not Elton John, but Queen Elizabeth II. She was there and naturally, she GAVE it to you! She wore a bright bubblegum pink 3/4 length coat with contrasting white banding, printed dress and her ubiquitous white gloves. The Queen loves her colors! And I do too!!
For more on what Catherine Duchess of Cambridge wore (shoes, purses, etc.) click HERE!