Dress Diary of a Duchess

What a year it's been for the Duchess of Cambridge! 12 whole months have passed since Kate Middleton walked down the aisle wearing one of the most talked about wedding dresses of all time. I for one still haven't stopped waxing lyrical about the beautiful Sarah Burton gown, but let's not forget all the other great dresses we've seen...

Diana's Dresses

Kensington Palace has reopened after a £12,000,000 restoration project and I couldn't resist the opportunity to take a look around a royal residence with such a rich history - especially as 5 of Princess Diana's dresses are currently on display at her former home.

Diana: Glimpses of a Modern Princess is a temporary exhibition which charts the evolution of Diana's style through the 80s and 90s. Featuring 5 iconic dresses alongside original sketches of the designs, the small exhibition space is set up like a bedroom, with the dresses displayed as if hanging in wardrobes waiting to be worn.

On display are: the Catherine Walker ivory gown worn in the famous Mario Testino portrait; a Versace LBD worn to the 1995 premiere of Apollo 13; a black taffeta Emanuel gown with sweetheart neckline worn on Diana's first official royal engagement; a beaded, monochrome dress by Bellville Sassoon Lorcan Mullany; and a fuchsia and purple Catherine Walker sari-style gown designed for the 1988 tour of Thailand. 

  

It's striking how modern the dresses still look - I only wish this was a larger scale, permanent exhibition.

Astrid & Miyu Competition

The 10 PR press day at 5 Cavendish Square showcased some beautiful bling courtesy of online costume jewellery boutiques Celliana and Astrid & Miyu.

I loved the selection of Astrid & Miyu cuffs and bangles on display - especially when they are piled on together. But my favourite design has to be 'Screw You Cow' (the animal print cuff pictured centre, £34). Great name don't you think?

Like what you see? Well, right now SalesGossip have a great competition running. They've got 6 £50 Astrid & Miyu jewellery vouchers to give away. Click here to enter.

Coachella Chic

Yes, this really is High School Musical cutie Vanessa Hudgens looking like one hot hippie at Coachella.

Pyjama Party

Anyone who's ever organised a pyjama party will no doubt have had to fend off a series of wise crack comments along the lines of 'but I don't own any pyjamas' - but no more. Pyjamas are fast becoming the surprise style hit of the spring...

Ok, it's not actually a huge surprise when we've seen luxury loungewear on the catwalk at Stella McCartney, Salvatore Ferragamo, Diane von Furstenberg and beyond. It was only a matter of time before PJs broke out of the bedroom, and pyjama dressing can now be seen everywhere from red carpet events to the early morning coffee run.






















So, is the time for giggling and pointing at people out in their pyjamas really at an end? Well, these Louis Vuitton silk pyjamas (pictured above) are too chic to be kept behind closed doors - fleecy onesies on the other hand, are not!

H&M Conscious Collection

Conscious cloth doesn't cost the earth!

Today high street retailer H&M have launched their first conscious collection - and with prices starting from under £5 it just goes to show that you don't have to pay more for ethically produced fashion.

I particularly love the neon pink pieces (pictured below).

Speaking of the collection, H&M’s CEO Karl-Johan Persson said ‘We want our customers to feel confident that everything they buy from H&M is designed, manufactured, and handled with consideration for people and environment.’

Well done H&M!

Happy Easter!

Apart from Cadbury's Mini Eggs, there's one other candy coloured treat I'm hoping the Easter Bunny will bring.

A delicious D&G Lily Twist bag with multi-coloured zip detailing is top of my wish list! Not chocolate I know, but you have to agree that it looks good enough to eat...

D&G Lily Twist, £685 available at MyWardrobe.com.

Made In Chelsea Is Back!