The Duchess of Cambridge returned to stylish form, stepping out in a sparkling fuchsia lamé gown, during a visit to the Maya ruins at Cahal Pech on the third day of the Royal Caribbean tour.
After a sartorially safe start to the trip, for which Kate stuck close to the blue colour palette of the Belize flag, yesterday evening saw her make a statement in a full length gown by The Vampire’s Wife, with a price tag of £2,500.
Named the ‘Light Sleeper dress’, the duchess looked every inch a Hollywood star in the metallic frock which cinched at the waist with flounced sleeves and a waist tie that trailed behind her. She paired it with shining silver Jimmy Choo heels and a local Mayan embroidered clutch bag, simultaneously melding high fashion with a courteous nod to her hosts.
Kate let her hair down in a middle parting, which remained tucked behind her ears offering a view of the £290 Onitaa earrings which the duchess last wore on a visit to Pakistan in October 2019.
The Vampire’s Wife, a brand founded in 2014 by Susie Cave who is married to post-punk Australian singer Nick Cave, was already associated with the Duchess of Cambridge before yesterday’s outing.
In March 2020, Kate opted for a metallic green ‘Falconetti dress’ courtesy of The Vampire’s Wife, whilst on a three-day trip to Ireland. As one of the duchess’ more daring fashion choices, the moment has frequently circulated in the media and helped to boost the brand’s reach. It is now well known in luxury circles for its whimsical frocks with a dose of gothic glamour.
Cave’s label is notoriously low-key when it comes to self-promotion, and this reserve makes it a tempting choice for royals. The Vampire’s Wife also counts Princess Beatrice as fan. The designer shies away from London Fashion Week spectacles, instead organising primarily music based activations where she dresses celebrity guests in new designs. The Pleasure Dairy Collection, for example, was released last October at a Nick Cave concert at the Royal Albert Hall, and was pictured on the likes of Alexa Chung, Celeste and Helena Bonham Carter.
Other notable moments for the brand include dressing Jodie Comer for the Killing Eve series in a floral gown now aptly named ‘The Villanelle dress’ after her character, and they recently robed Florence and the Machine for the cover of her February 2022 released single ‘King’. The Kate Effect, which will see many eyes on The Vampire’s Wife after last night’s appearance, means plenty more exciting moments for the label.
Kate’s splash of eveningwear was a far cry from her daytime look in Belize, which saw her kitted out to hike around the 3,000 year-old Caracol, an ancient archaeological site in the foothills of the Maya Mountains.
For the activity, the duchess played it practical in a pair of £70 tight-fit khaki trousers by Dutch brand G-Star RAW teamed with a woven belt, John Lewis t-shirt and pair of £57 white Superga 2750 trainers. She finished off the style with a pair of black rim Ray Bans and looked to be enjoying herself as she was shown sites by archaeological expert Allan Moore, alongside Prince William.
After a polite but bland beginning to Kate’s style on the trip, her penchant for a fashionable flair is back - and hints at more glitzy moments to come on the eight-day tour. Later, the couple are set to fly to Jamaica, where they will be greeted with an official welcome, before the trip concludes in The Bahamas on March 26.
