How Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle became top fashion influencers without so much as a social media account
The British royals have had an unprecedented impact on the fashion industry, with their style choices recreated by thousands every day
Princess dressing has been the bane of parents for decades. And we are in for another avalanche of Princess Elsa dresses, crowns, slippers, pyjamas and whatever else they can think of. Frozen II was released last month and with it another snowstorm of merchandise. Chilling. We had almost let it go (sorry) after the first Frozen, in 2013, but Disney couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Frozen merchandise and licensing raked in billions of dollars more than its box-office sales.
Brides who take their wedding as a last chance to really go for it excepted, grown women rarely adopt the Disney princess look. In real life, women and designers are more influenced by the style of real royals. And what an influential year it’s been for those women.
Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour has openly praised the style of duchesses Kate and Meghan. In fact, of all the women in the world, she recommended Kate for holiday style inspiration in the November 27 episode of Vogue’s YouTube feature, Go Ask Anna.
“I don’t think that you can go wrong with the Duchess of Cambridge, who always looks impeccable,” she said. Specifically, Wintour mentioned the Catherine Walker coats Kate wears, and the glamour that Alexander McQueen has brought to her evening looks. Closely scrutinised since it was first announced that she was dating Prince William, Kate’s fashion choices have sold out dresses faster than you can say “Your Highness”.
Royal styles are strangely more attainable than those of celebrities these days. And you’re more likely to see Kate repeating her outfits than you would Rihanna and her princessy mint green Fenty ensemble or Cate Blanchett and the Armani gown she wore at the 2019 Fashion Awards.