The woman behind the Duchess of Cambridge’s favourite label has delivered her verdict on some of the royal’s most stunning style moments.
Alessandra Rich, who splits her time between London and Milan, is responsible for some of Kate Middleton’s most photographed outfits, including the breezy polka dot frock she wore to Royal Ascot.
The designer, who started her business in 2010, has become Kate’s go-to for high profile occasions like the Duke of Edinburgh’s memorial service and the Wimbledon trophy presentation.
Alessandra Rich, the woman behind the Duchess of Cambridge’s favourite label, has delivered her verdict on some of the royal’s most stunning style moments. She said of this look at Wimbledon: ‘There is something sexy about covered-up clothes – women know that they can be very sensual even when they aren’t showing their legs’
The Duchess of Cambridge had a My Fair Lady moment in this chocolate and off-white number at Royal Ascot. Rich praised the choice of accessories and said she looked ‘sophisticated’
‘It’s always flattering to wear a longer skirt – they create a nice shape and make the waist smaller,’ said Rich, of the dress Kate wore for the Duke of Edinburgh’s memorial service
Boarding the plane in Nassau, Bahamas, the Duchess of Cambridge stood out from the crowd in yellow. Rich said: ‘There’s always something “wrong” in the dress that makes it right. If it’s too perfect, it can fall into being too plain’
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Rich said she thinks the royal mother-of-three looks more confident at 40 than she did two decades ago.
She added she is ‘grateful’ for Kate’s support, saying: ‘The Duchess of Cambridge is such a style icon, I can’t ever say I’m not thrilled she likes my clothes.’
Rich’s designs are varied but the ones seen on the Duchess of Cambridge are often demure: think high-neck polka dot midi dresses, or chic, Fifties-inspired two pieces with peplum detailing and puff sleeves.
She wore Alessandra Rich to the Duke of Edinburgh’s memorial service in April 2022. Delivering her verdict on the look, Rich said: ‘It’s always flattering to wear a longer skirt – they create a nice shape and make the waist smaller.’
Firm favourite: The Duchess of Cambridge first wore a £1,750 Alessandra Rich navy polka dot dress for a family photoshoot for Prince Charles’ 70th birthday in November 2018
Polka dot perfection! Kate looked stunning in the same £1,750 Alessandra Rich dress at Bletchley Park in May 2019
It came days after Kate wore another ensemble by the designer for the flight home from the royal tour of the Caribbean.
‘There’s always something “wrong” in the dress that makes it right. If it’s too perfect, it can fall into being too plain,’ the designer said of the vintage-inspired frock.
There have been three more Alessandra Rich outfits this summer: a ‘sophisticated’ chocolate and off-white dress for Royal Ascot and two blue polka dot numbers at Wimbledon.
Tartan treat: In a pleated Rich design for a visit to the V&A Museum in London in May 2019
Feeling festive! Kate in a £1,455 red Alessandra Rich midi dress for a festive TV special with Mary Berry in 2019
The designer said: ‘There is something sexy about covered-up clothes – women know that they can be very sensual even when they aren’t showing their legs. If they wear something they like, in a shape they like, they feel their beauty more.’
The Duchess of Cambridge first wore a £1,750 Alessandra Rich navy polka dot dress for a family photoshoot for Prince Charles’ 70th birthday in November 2018.
She rewore the same dress six months later on a visit to Bletchley Park.
The same frock was worn by Ivanka Trump and Meghan Markle’s actress BFF Abigail Spencer, who donned the dress for the Sussexes’ wedding in May 2018.
Gorgeous in green: In a nod to her hosts, the Duchess of Cambridge wore a green Alessandra Rich frock on a royal visit to Ireland in March 2020
Print at the panto! The Duchess of Cambridge dazzles in Alessandra Rich as she arrives with children Louis and Charlotte to a pantomime in December 2021
Kate’s younger sister Pippa wore a similar Alessandra Rich style for Prince Louis’ christening in July 2018.
In December 2019, Kate looked festive in a £1,455 red midi dress for a festive TV special with Mary Berry. Three months later, in her final royal tour before the pandemic, Kate opted for an £1,567 eighties-inspired green Alessandra Rich frock.
Kate looked elegant in a pleated tartan design on an outing to the V&A in May 2021. In December, she wore Rich yet again when she took her children on a family outing to the pantomime.
Tried and tested: The Duchess of Cambridge wore a £1,515 blue Alessandra Rich dress to cheer on Cameron Norrie at Wimbledon in July