Kate Middleton meets members of the public during a visit to the University of St Andrews, where she and Prince William first met. (credit: David Cheskin/PA Wire)
By Julie Parise, CBSNewYork.com
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Among all the anticipation surrounding the royal wedding, one question continues to plague the royal fanatics who look to Prince William and his bride-to-be as trendsetters and the embodiment of all things chic.
What will Kate Middleton’s dress look like?
The 29-year-old brunette has already worked wonders for British designers and their NYC storefronts with her style choices – and now, one Midtown boutique is devoting their shop to the soon-to-be princess.
Photo Gallery: Kate Middleton Through The Years
The RS Pop Shop at the Roger Smith Hotel features different up-and-coming designers each month at their Lexington Ave. location. In April, New Form Perspective (NFP) and designer Gail Travis had their turn to take it over with the line’s spring collection, highlighted by self-made, featherweight fabrics in light and breezy colors for the season.
For Friday’s nuptials, the store’s window will be a tribute to Prince William and his bride by way of the NFP line.
“Kate Middleton equates to elegance and grace,” said Melissa Gonzalez, CEO & co-founder of the RS Pop Shop. “In honor of her iconic day, we are making a fashionable tribute at RS Pop Shop to the royal wedding celebration.”
This silk halter gown, designed by Gail Travis of NFP, is dedicated to Kate Middleton. (credit: Melissa Gonzalez/Lion'esque Media/RS Pop Shop)
The store’s window will feature custom-made, hand felted silk halter gowns – which, in a nod to Ms. Middleton, will be adorned by flower-accented bonnets.
“We know they are usually one of her signature accessories,” said Gonzalez.
Also taking center stage at the store will be a gown designed by Travis, which she dedicated to Middleton.
The hand felted, silk chiffon halter dress is a uniquely elegant tribute to the bride, albeit a far cry from the floor-length, v-neck gown with long sleeves she is reportedly expected to wear as she makes her way down the aisle.
“I see Kate Middleton as a muse,” Travis told CBSNewYork. “[I] hope that she can be a voice for a new wave of modern fashion.”
In addition to the dresses and hats, designed by Kanako Akiyama of Le Conte, the RS Pop shop will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday – with the wedding and coverage streaming live from the store’s window.
Julie Parise is the features editor for CBSNewYork.com.
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