What Kate Wore

Givenchy and McQueen A/W 2025 Shows + Upcoming Fashion Collaborations – What Kate Wore

Hello and welcome to a post covering spring and fall fashions from brands worn by the Princess of Wales.  Alexander McQueen has played a vital role in the Princess of Wales's working wardrobe since she joined the royal family in 2011. Below, the Princess in three designs by Sarah Burton, the label's creative director. When it was announced in 2023 that Ms. Burton was leaving the brand, many of us wondered if Alexander McQueen would remain a key style factor for the Princess. Below, you see three more McQueen looks. When we learned Sarah Burton would become creative director of Givenchy, an obvious question involved the possibility of Givenchy playing a part in the Princess's wardrobe. I thought we could use the two brands' autumn 2025 collections as a starting point for a discussion of this topic. Sadly, there are minimal photos from the A/W 2025 Givenchy collection and none I can license. Not even any I could embed from Getty Images. The best I can do is share some social media posts by the brand and reviews of the collection. NOTE: Try refreshing your browser if you have trouble seeing any of the embedded images. (Why I don't like using embedded images. Argh!) Here are several looks from the fall line in a quick video shared on Twitter.  Stripped-back to cut, silhouette, proportion. The Fall Winter 2025 Womenswear collection by Sarah Burton, evolved around tailoring, merging and counterpointing masculine techniques with feminine shape. A sense of powerful femininity is constructed, re-cut, played with and… pic.twitter.com/rCPamIu4Ey — Givenchy (@givenchy) March 7, 2025  We learn more about Sarah Burton's first collection for Givenchy from this Women's Wear Daily story:  Sarah Burton’s exploration of the Givenchy archive quickly zeroed in on a stash of patterns and fabric swatches from founder Hubert de Givenchy’s first collection from 1952. Inexplicably, they were hidden inside a wall in the designer’s first atelier, and unearthed only about a year ago during renovation works. This discovery of the origins of the house inspired her to return to the building blocks of fashion: creating new shapes and volumes via draping and pattern making. “Back to silhouette. This is the backbone of the house today,” she related during a preview, also showing off black-and-white images of that 1952 collection, which resemble stills from a forgotten Hitchcock film. “It’s about silhouette and cut, because the ateliers are amazing here.” Some of those 1952 patterns.  UNDER CONSTRUCTION​ Brown paper packets containing calico patterns from Hubert de Givenchy’s first 1952 Couture collection, echoes Sarah Burton's own creative process.​ To me it's about the atelier. It's the heart and soul of Givenchy.​ Sarah Burton, Givenchy Artistic… pic.twitter.com/bXAlMtFfp8 — Givenchy (@givenchy) March 4, 2025 Here is a closer look at one tailored suit.  Silhouette - a new kind of Givenchy tailoring - feminine, but with a masculine hand. Sarah Burton, Givenchy Artistic Director#Givenchy #SarahBurton pic.twitter.com/5zvtXPuv87 — Givenchy (@givenchy) March 13, 2025 Fashion journalist Cathy Horyn, writing in The Cut:    Her tailoring was not only visually strong and perfect; it also was varied. There were coats and suit jackets with bold shoulders, and ones with neat shoulders. Sleeves also varied, from a kind of rounded couture sleeve, with an exposed flat-pressed seam spiraling from the armhole to the wrist, to sleeves that were mildly flattened and creased, for a sharper effect. I could see the Princess of Wales in this coat and trousers (click the 'right' arrow for a better view of the designs).    Additional thoughts on the collection from Vogue's story.  The show itself was a considered survey of modern womanhood, inspired by long thought lost Hubert de Givenchy patterns: Precise and crisp tailoring, glamorous tangles of jewelry as garments, both body contouring and bouncy silhouettes. A standing ovation was given and celebratory woops and cheers broke out. “This was the ultimate British take on ultra Parisian chic, chic, chic! There were the little Sarah touches...it was incredible. It was like a couture show, actually,” said author and Vogue contributor Plum Sykes. Another runway look features the light and lacy mini-dress seen in the first video clip.              View this post on Instagram                         A post shared by GIVENCHY (@givenchy) In these two photos, you see Cate Blanchett in a runway style, and the look as it was modeled for the show.  THE FIRST ONE Cate Blanchett debuts Sarah Burton’s first Givenchy collection to the Black Bag premiere.#CateBlanchett #Givenchy #SarahBurton pic.twitter.com/g20VH8xD5F — Givenchy (@givenchy) March 11, 2025 Arguably, a better way to gauge the likelihood of the Princess wearing Givenchy comes through a look at the brand's ready-to-wear collection. Although these are not Sarah Burton designs, you do get some sense of the label's existing design aesthetic. Below are styles available in the spring line. From left to right, a Draped Dress in Jersey ($2350), an ensemble featuring Pleated Pants ($1950), an Evening Cape Dress ($5950), and a Wool Jacket with Pleated Back ($3950). Additional Givenchy styles include an Asymmetric Satin-Crepe Mini Dress ($6650), an Embellished Jersey Dress ($2750), and an Off-the-Shoulder Satin-Trimmed Maxi Dress ($7250). As much as I like Sarah Burton's designs, my personal belief is that the Princess will wear few, if any, Givenchy designs. She has strongly supported the British fashion industry for years, and I don't see that changing.  Now for the Alexander McQueen autumn 2025 runway show.  Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'wQsCS3ajRXJNvLxqMT43xQ',sig:'u5nnCnhfjVeKxnhhHls_U9t82RAbFNaBzSNlM15li-s=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2203476142',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); We hear more on the collection from this WWD review. A year after his rocky debut, things are looking up for creative director Seán McGirr at Alexander McQueen, whose strong, salable fall 2025 collection should continue to build momentum for the luxury house with a rebel heart. The show started with a run of terrific sharp, black tailoring. Jackets drew on a Victorian silhouette with pleated collars, peaked shoulders and shaped waists, and were worn with archival kickback trousers and wicked-looking, extra-elongated pointy shoes. (McGirr said he meets with the brand archivist every other week.) Fluid silk gowns in fuchsia, inky blue, pale green and lavender had drama without sacrificing wearability, which was clearly a priority for McGirr, who also brought in more casual and contemporary pieces, like a glossy shrunken leather bomber with punk buckle details, and a tailcoat parka with dense crystal shard embroidery at the neck. Below are two of the tailored looks, including a closer view of the style shown above. You see the shorter lapels and a pleated, peaked sleeve in these close-ups. Compare these lapels to those on several of the Alexander McQueen jackets worn by the Princess of Wales. The brand still offers several blazers with angled pockets and more extended lapels, which have been strong sellers. Two of the gowns that were referenced in the WWD story. It's not difficult to envision the Princess in modified versions of the second and third looks here; the basic silhouettes are flattering.  I don't see loads of possibilities with these next designs. Even taking into account that runway looks are a little over the top by design and generally somewhat removed from the commercial, ready-to-wear collections that are the backbone of a fashion house, I don't see these designs working for the Princess. The sleek black blouse on the left could be toned down, but then you lose the magic of the intricate pleating. The Princess loves a chunky sweater, but the red dress is an unlikely look, as is the beautifully jeweled knit piece on the right. A better view of some of the details.  I will share a few looks from the Alexander McQueen s/s 2025 show, held last September in Paris. All could work well for the Princess with some modifications. There are instances where a runway style translates perfectly to an off-the-rack design, as with this jacket, blouse, and skirt from the S/S '25 collection. The ensemble features a Single-Breasted Jacket ($3290) with distinctive red binding on the angled pockets and a Pleated Mini-Skirt ($1150). Will the Princess of Wales wear designs designed under Creative Director Seán McGirr’s direction? Below is a photo of Mr. McGirr after the March runway show. I think she will wear the brand minimally, if at all. Think about the coat the princess wore last December for the Qatar state visit. The information released by Kensington Palace to royal reporters was very clear: this was a Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen design, obviously a piece she had for some time. Mr. McGirr has been at the House of McQueen since December 2023. If the Princess planned to embrace the label under his leadership, I think we would have already seen her in designs by the label, if not at a high-profile engagement like the state visit, then at another event. I could easily be wrong, and we'll undoubtedly see as we move forward if the Princess will wear contemporary McQueen designs.  +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I have a few updates on products at Beulah London, the dusky pink Ahana Dress shown on the left and the red Calla Dress. The Ahana (£625, roughly $800 at today's exchange rates) is available in a mix of colors, including fuchisa and green, while the Calla (£495, roughly $640) comes in a soft blue and a navy polka dot print.   Also new this spring is a Mummy and Me collection at a brand worn frequently by the Wales children, Amaia Kids. Below, you see the Loreto Woman's Dress ($381) and the Girls' Sevilla Dress ($157). On the left, you see the Florisa Dress ($344) and the Florisa Girls' Dress ($142). On the right, the Chloe Women's Dress ($411) and the Chloe Dress for Girls ($157). A few final notes about fashion collaborations by designers the Princess has worn and mass-market brands. The first involves Roksanda Ilincic, a label the Princess has worn throughout much of her time as a member of the Royal Family. Here you see the Princess in the 'Brigitte' dress at Wimbledon in 2022, wearing the ‘Denton’ Coat at Sandringham in January 2020, sporting a custom version of the 'Ryedale' dress at Wimbledon in 2016, and wearing the 'Peridot' dress at the Royal Academy in July 2012. As a side note, several of the garments shown below were repeat wearings. Roksada is partnering with & Other Stories for a collection launching later this spring. We learn more from this Fashion United story. London-based designer Roksanda will launch an exclusive collaboration with fashion and lifestyle retailer & Other Stories, part of the H&M Group, in May. In a short statement, & Other Stories said the collection will be crafted with “summer in mind,” and will draw inspiration from Ilinčić’s “deep admiration for summer sunsets”. It will offer day-to-night transitional pieces, from elevated daytime dressing to elegant evening events, featuring her signature combination of fluidity and structure, bold colour blocking, and architectural lines. Below, a Facebook post by the brand offers the only images released thus far from the collection.   The other collection I wanted to include is the Kate Spade/Target collaboration. The Princess of Wales has worn a couple of Kate Spade dresses; the Encore Rose Chiffon dress on the left was seen at an October 2016 World Mental Health Day engagement in 2016, and the dress on the right was worn for a November 2017 visit to the Foundling Museum. The Princess also wore a pair of tassel earrings by the brand in April 2017. Apparel items in the Kate Spade Target collection include a Ribbon Short-Sleeve Shirtdress ($45), a Classic Rose Tank Top ($30) and Midi Skirt ($40), and a Plaid Mini Sweater Dress ($35). The shirtdress and tank/skirt are made of cotton and recycled cotton with a touch of elastane, while the plaid dress is made of viscose, recycled polyester, and recycled nylon. A news release notes, Launching April 12, the collection features more than 300 items, including women's, kids' and baby apparel (with extended sizing and adaptive styles), handbags, home accessories and entertaining must-haves — offering anything and everything guests might need to style, decorate and host with ease.  Below, you see the Classic Rose Poplin Mini-Dress ($35 in 95% cotton/5% recycled cotton), the Polka Dot Tie-Waist Midi Dress ($40, a linen/rayon blend), and the Straight-Leg Wide Cuff Jeans ($50, also cotton with recycled cotton). Accessories personify the Kate Spade exuberance and whimsy. Here, I show the Life of the Party Beaded Clutch ($30), the Colorblocked Tote Bag ($50), and the Beaded Classic Rose Drawstring Bag ($45). This group includes a Classic Rose Blazer ($50) and High-Rise Trousers ($40), both in a blend of linen and rayon. In the center, the Bow Shell Top ($30) and Mini Skirt ($30), both made of 100% recycled polyester. On the right, a Polka Dot Mini Crossbody Bag ($25).  Accessories on offer include the Woven Stripe Bag ($35), Strawberry Bag Charm ($10), Wicker Crescent Bag ($35), and the Bow Bag Charm ($10).  There is a good selection of infant, toddler, and children's clothing. Below, you see the Toddler Ribbon Shirtdress ($20), the Polka Dot Tiered Dress ($25), the Small Fry T-Shirt ($10), and the Life of the Party T-Shirt ($10). There is no shortage of household goods in the capsule collection. Below, you see a 4-Piece Set of Melamine Dishes ($11), an Oversize All-Cotton Tablecloth ($25 and $28), and a 16-Piece Set of Paper Party Dinnerware ($25).  Also part of the collection are (clockwise) all-cotton Embroidered Cocktail Napkins ($7), a Disposable Camera ($20), all-cotton Polka Dot Cloth Napkins ($7 for cocktail size, $10 for dinner size), and Colorblocked Beaded Pillows ($30).  The final group of times I'll share has the Woven Serving Tray ($25), a Melamine Checkers Set & Serving Tray ($20), and the Woven Utensil Holder & Caddy ($20). The collection goes on sale at 3 am EDT on April 12.