KATE MIDDLETON - THE NEW QUEEN OF BRITISH FASHION?

AS a glamorous young woman, even one on the arm of the future King of England, Kate Middleton was famous for stepping out in high street fashion. Top Shop, French Connection, Reiss and Whistles were some brands worn by Kate, 29. And in recession-hit Britain, it seemed the right message to send out.

Despite the fact that her parents are self-made millionaires, she does not dress like a wealthy woman, often shopping at mid-level stores on British main streets. When she was photographed wearing a low-priced dress from Topshop on her 25th birthday, the item became an overnight national sensation, selling out in just 24 hours.


But now Kate has raised her game. Since the ring went on her finger, the heels are getting higher, the skirts are getting shorter and the designers are becoming more high-end - and British. Recently, on a trip to Belfast with William, Kate flipped pancakes in a cream belted Burberry trenchcoat. Within hours, yet again, the pounds 650 coat had sold out everywhere.


Whether she likes it or not, she will soon become a global fashion icon -- probably akin to Princes Letizia of Spain and Queen Rania of Jordan, as well as First Ladies Michelle Obama and Carla Bruni. She wears many classic outfits, and favors full length, solid-colored coats. Her look has not changed dramatically season to season or from year to year. Kate's style is natural, unforced and unpretentious.



She never seems to be trying too hard or worried about currying favor with the glittery world of fashion. That's going to help — a lot — when the naturally beautiful young woman blessed with poise, dimples, long legs and perfect posture marries Prince William on April 29th. Now, with hours to go before her big day, the increasingly polished proincess is looking more like a style queen. Here's a glimpse at her changing style throughout the years...^.

Goddess Gowns - why vintage is suddenly hot again.




Illustration by Georgina Heffernan



Not so long ago the quickest way to stand out in a crowd was to wear something vintage - a lace evening dress from Oxfam, a 1950s suit you picked up at a clothes swap party or a pretty rhinestone necklace that you found on Ebay. But now vintage is everywhere it's a different story. As ever in fashion, the cache is in exclusivity. Which is why the style elite are becoming obsessed with the 'new vintage'- clothes with a heritage.

Think: Chanel circa 1925, limited- edition YSL or Dior designed by Gianfranco Ferre. The market for luxury vintage pieces with proven heritage or connection to a renowned fashion designer has skyrocketed. Study pictures of the latest red carpet looks and you'll find the best-dressed stars are increasingly those draped in vintage.

They're among a growing band asking their personal stylists to source 'something old' - something that no other celebrity will be snapped in - rather than the latest designer offerings. Reese Witherspoon handpicked her own 2006 Oscar dress - a 1950s Dior number - and Nicole Kidman is a a frequent shopper at upscale vintage clothing stores that cater to celebrities who want to buy great vintage looks.

As a result of this demand, the price of designer vintage has more than quadrupled in the past five years. (Or up to ten times if the piece has connections to a classic film, famed actress or rare period.) There's also a growing band of stores and websites devoted to selling authenticated vintage pieces at premium prices. Auction houses such as Christie's now regularly host sales of vintage clothing - and last year over 2,500 people turned up for a Vintage clothing fair, which was held in Dublin.

In the capital, we have a plethora of fine vintage stores from Jenny Vander on Drury Street to Harlequin at Castle Market but now there's a new kid on the block.Step forward Marie Therese Duggan, a former independent film producer and scriptwriter, who began selling vintage dresses sourced from the US and London in December 2008 and, within one year, had established the Goddess Room in Greystones, Co Wicklow.

The showroom is, quite simply, out of this world and when I visited last Wednesday I walked in only to be blown away by mannequins dressed in the most amazing creations. Speaking with Therese, she told me that her customers want to buy something that is beautiful to look at and exquisitely crafted.

"What it is for me is a rediscovery of style as separate to fashion. I look for items that will function in a woman's wardrobe and won't scream vintage." she said. "The beauty of these pieces is that they are one of a kind and that's what makes the difference, it's about wearing clothes that represent who you are and celebrate your individuality".

The store is a treasure trove of unique pieces original (Chanel, priceless Dior couture and seventies Yves Saint Laurent) and Therese told me that there is always "something new and wonderful" coming into the shop. From long flowing shapes with fantasy trims to exquisite vintage-feel velvets and sharp, tailored lines, the look is - pure, unadulterated glamour.

One nude organza wedding dress by Cecil Chapman is a case in point. With its layers and layers of frothy fabric - it looks like something that has just walked off the international catwalks despite that the pristine gown is probably 50 years old. But what is about vintage clothes that has suddenly captured our imagination?

"There's something about vintage that has certain humanity about them and often the dresses can be awfully sweet; they lift your heart in a way that contemporary fashion has a difficulty with. Over the past decade, we've had the trend where everyone wanted to look the same, sporting the same Prada bag, but now people want clothes that are unique and beautifully made" she said.

So, whether you are looking for your dream wedding dress or a simple vintage day suit, this is one store that's well worth a visit. Just slip on one of those extravagant evening gown or beautiful wedding dresses and you'll instantly transform yourself into a modern day Aphrodite...with a vintage twist.

The Goddess Room
The Meridian Point
Greystones
Co Wicklow

(01) 201 6591info@thegoddessroom.net

www.thegoddessroom.net