The Duchess of Cambridge is fast becoming a style icon, with designers and retailers coining the phrase ‘the Duchess Effect’ – a term which has just topped the Global Language Monitor’s list of the most powerful fashion buzzwords in the world.
‘The Duchess Effect’ relates to Kate’s power to promote and sell brands. If she steps out in a gown, especially one off the high-street, within hours it is likely to have flown off the shelves, as fashionistas flock to copy the 30-year-old’s chic sense of style.
Fashion stores like Reiss and Topshop have all benefited from the ‘Duchess Effect’, with the Reiss Shola dress Kate wore to meet the Obama’s last year becoming one of the most desired dresses of 2011.
High Street label Jesire will be hoping it is next to enjoy the power of the ‘Effect’, after Kate wore a tweed shawl collared dress from Jesire to her first solo engagement at the National Portrait Gallery in London last night.
Last year ‘Kate Middleton’ topped the annual Fashion Buzzword List – Kate wasn’t the duchess at that point.
Now, ‘the Duchess Effect’ is a widely used term, according to the list which is compiled using a combination of words used by multiple sources, including online and print media.
Bekka Payack, fashion director for Global Language Monitor, said: “The Duchess Effect appears to extend much further than the economic impact of Kate’s fashion choices; this year the fashion landscape seems to be a brighter, more accessible place with the styles more colorful, feminine and graceful than we’ve observed in many years.”
The annual list also features Kate’s little sister Pippa.
Can you guess why? Yes, ‘Pippa’s bum’ is the fifth most popular fashion buzzword after Miss M’s derriere impressed in that now infamous Alexander McQueen bridesmaid gown she wore to the Royal Wedding.
Other buzzwords featured include ‘peplum skirts’ and ‘Great Gatsby’.
STYLE QUEEN
- Watch Kate arrive at the National Portrait Gallery last night in the player above
- More on her first solo engagement
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Duchess agrees to sit for portrait
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