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Kate Middleton's Baby Debut Dress Sets Fashion World Afire

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Duchess of Cambridge has set off a new fashion frenzy.

As CBS 2's Vanessa Murdock reported Wednesday, Kate Middleton wore a one-of-a-kind dress for the royal baby debut on Tuesday. But sadly for shoppers, you won't find it in stores – at least not yet.

Middleton was glowing as she showed off her bouncing baby boy -- George Alexander Louis -- for the world to see. Her hair was coiffed perfectly, and her makeup flawless. Her dress was adorned with baby blue polka dots.

"That was wonderful," said Yumi Stewart of Midtown. "She didn't look like she just had a baby. She looked gorgeous."

The dress was a custom Jenny Packham, reportedly one of the duchess' favorite designers. This was not the first time she has worn a Packham, having worn at least two wow-worthy red carpet looks by the designer.

But this time the world swarmed to find out more. Packham's website crashed soon after Kate stepped out. But now, the polka dots are grabbing global attention.

"I loved the polka dots," one woman said. "You know, I remember Diana standing on those steps, so it was very nostalgic as well."

Pair Kate's picture side-by-side with Princess Diana's, which was taken 31 years ago as she left St. Mary's with the infant Prince William in her arms, and the similarity is unmistakable.

Sarah Gardner, president of Fashion Update, said the dress sends a loving message.

"Her mother-in-law's not there but she is, and she's wearing it on behalf of Princess Di -- a beautiful legacy," Gardner said. "I love it in honor of her."

Gardner was certain designers will be racing to duplicate the dress

"Polka dots are hot. The color is beautiful -- baby blue. It's classic. And it's fresh. It's crisp. It's classic." she said. "It's going to be all over. All the designers are going to be copying it."

Stewart, mother to 6-month-old Kenji, said she would wear the dress.

"I would," she said. "I was actually thinking when you have a baby, it's so hard to find a maternity kind of dress, and I thought that was so elegant."

Since no one, not even the duke and duchess, knew if the baby would be a boy or girl, many people are wondering if Jenny Packham made a second, pink dress - just in case. The designer would not comment.

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