Fashion

Kate Middleton is no fashion icon, says US experts

Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Kate Middleton is no fashion icon, says US experts
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Do you consider Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge a style icon?
"If you take Kate out of the royal family, put her on a street in New York, you wouldn't look at her twice. She's a beautiful woman, but she blends into a crowd."
She is seen as a fashion trendsetter by many, including actress Anne Hathaway, and the clothes she wears sell out within hours, but some fashion experts say the Duchess of Cambridge is not a style icon.

Speaking at New York Fashion Week, fashion director at US retail chain Nordstrom Gregg Andrews said Middleton was "a style follower, not a trendsetter", the UK's Daily Mail reported.

"She is stylish, but she's not setting trends. She's following trends," he said.

"If you take Kate out of the royal family, put her on a street in New York, you wouldn't look at her twice.

"She's a beautiful woman, but she blends into a crowd."

But not all in the fashion industry are so unkind.

Elle Fashion News Director Anne Slowey said there is no question she is influential.

"Is she a style icon of the likes of a Kate Moss? Absolutely not," she said.

"Is she in the public eye? Are people going to become obsessed with everything she wears regardless of what it is? Yes."

Despite the differing opinions, to the general public Middleton seems to have a style approach they like.

Her wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for British label Alexander McQueen, has attracted more than 350,000 people while on display at Buckingham Palace and during the royal trip to Canada and the US in July, all eyes were on her wardrobe.

Saks Fifth Avenue Senior Fashion Director Colleen Sherin said Middleton's style could be aspirational for many women.

"She seems to be starting to experiment a bit, to try some different looks and some different designers which I like to see but also still remaining thoughtful and appropriate in her choices and that's the key to her success," she said.




Related video: Top fashion designer Vivienne Westwood slams Kate Middleton by saying she looks 'ordinary' and 'hard'.

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User comments
I agree with Doris Leave Kat MIddleton alone. She is doing a great job. She is classy NOT trashy. She is a good exemple in her fashion choices. She made dressing up rather than down to be fashinable. You are doing a greta job Kate and ingnore the fashion desingners. Most of them don't have a clue they only say things to attract attention for themselves and be in the public eye.
The word "expert"to me must be the most overstated word in the english dictionary.there is only one reason Kate is constantly criticised for the clothes she wears,and that is she's not a clothes horse for the fashion industry,like Diana was.good on you Kate millions of us like the way you look.you are you're own person,
Kate is a very attractive person but she is not a stunner like her mother in law, Lady Diana. Lady Diana was a true fashion icon and would stand out in any crowd. That gift belongs to a very few women. Jacky Kennedy and Sophia Loren come to mind but there are plenty of others blessed with the art of being a stunner and fashion icon.
Honestly I don't know why so many people bother criticising one person (or anyone else for that matter). Personally I just throw whatever I have that's closet in my closest and isn't a bright colour - but people should be allowed to where what they wish without criticism - there can be debates on whether it's fashionable or not, sure - but the lengths people go to impress the public just to be a trend setter, really makes me feel some sort of lack for humanity. Who ever knew the physical image would forever become an eternal factor of debate?
some of these designers don't have a clue. I would prefer someone to pick out good attractive fashion then go for the latest out there fashion which we all think looks wrong on anybody. Going by what you see on some catwalks, i think some designers haven't a clue on fashion either.
wouldnt you expect "Top fashion designer Vivienne Westwood" to be better able to manage her own appearance, who is she to judge kate... Vivienne looks so pale she could be confused with a corpse and her hair is so fake its ghastly. Kate looks natural, glowing, happy, confident and comfortable in her role... if that isnt setting a trend then what is? Kate Moss is a rollercoaster addict and most the times looks bedraggled and lost... i rather model myself after a happy content Kate Middleton than listen to the corpse lady support stoner chick as some sort of role model.
These socalled idiot experts have no idea about beauty and style. They are a pack of fools
Of course she's a style icon! Every outfit she's snapped wearing is copied by millions! Kate Moss?? What did she revolutionise in fashion? Being anorexic-like skinny and wearing no bathers when at the beach? Please.
I don't think it is unkind to say Kate is 'stylish' and 'a beautiful woman'... to think saying she is a trend-follower is critical is simply a value-laden judgment from people who think being a trendsetter is the be all and end all. Kate is gorgeous because she could be any attractive, smiley person you see sometime. People who jump on the bandwagon and attack her for wearing clothes more than once are vacuous and nitpicking. As for the biased and shallow comment from Maggie of Sydney - how on earth do you think calling people "old and ugly" (how old by the way??) because you do not like their body shape is meant to help prevent eating disorders and raise the self-esteem of females and help them embrace themselves the way they are? If you were genuinely concerned about bulimia you would realise criticising people's physical appearance is damaging and not helpful to anyone.
I think Kate is beautiful and always dresses well. I believe she would look great even in a hessian bag or plastic garbage bag. She never said she was or wanted to be a trendsetter. Leave the beauty alone.

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