The Kate Effect?
Saturday, January 8, 2011 at 5:11 PM 
Image by Maria Testino via Brides.com
Since Prince William and Kate Middleton announced their engagement in November 2010, the world has been captivated by the young couple, now more than ever before. In the past two months, Miss Middleton has become something of a style setter. Her royal blue Issa dress sold out almost instantaneously. WWD ran items on her engagement photo ensembles: a blouse from Whistles, a dress from Reiss. The intense media fascination and retail effect reminds one of the early days of Mrs. O's style influence, when Isabel Toledo and Jason Wu made the morning news cycle and sparkly cardigans sold out in seconds on J. Crew.com.
In an interview with Vogue.com UK last month, Michael Kors elaborated on the similarity:
"When Barack Obama first became well known and everyone started looking at Mrs Obama I thought to myself 'This is a very different, modern-looking couple.' When I designed the outfit for the Michelle's first official portrait no one thought she would wear matte jersey but she did. Past women in the same position had always worn a tailored suit," Kors tells us. "When I look at Kate I see a changing of the guard in what is considered elegant. She is likes to look easy but chic. I would liken her to Obama and Carla Bruni in that way. All these women are in situations where they shaking off the formal suits of their predecessors."
But I'm curious, what do you think? Is there similarity? Will Kate Middleton have the same kind of style influence that Mrs. O has had? Thoughts please!
The New Obama? [Vogue UK]
Reader Comments (24)
If I was 25, 27 years old maybe Kate would be a style influence to me.
But I am going to be 36 this year. I am working towards my degree, moving from a job that allowed for more time with my boys, to a career I love.
Michelle Obama is to me not only an example of how a black woman can dress for career, but also and all around accomplished woman. And I love her style especially because I can see myself as a successful career woman, dressing stylishly and living a happy fulfilled life.
I have never wanted to be a Princess, never wanted to marry a Prince. I'm not even sure what the Monarchy does. So beyond age, Kate Middleton is not anyone I aspire to be. And in extension I don't aspire for her style.
But I am sure she is a wonderful woman.
Seeing Carla Bruni thrown in the same pot at Mrs. O and Kate make want to gritt my teeth but Kate and mrs. O definitely do have that influence on fashion in common.
I really don't think that Ms. Middleton is on the same level as Mrs. O. Mrs O is a fashion icon, whereas Kate Middleton is a young lady who doesn't really seem to have a fashion sense that is worth talking about, and getting excited over. I think that if her wedding gown is something truly extraordinary and delicious, as well as future outfits, then we might have someone who can set next to Mrs. O in the fashion front row.
There may be a similarity in their influence on style. But I think they will impact different audiences. Mrs.O is more my style since I'm close to her age. So I personally would not be looking at Kate Middleton for fashion ideas or trends.
While I'm sure Kate will. Influence British style, I doubt it will have the impact of Mrs O primarily because she's way too young. I find the fashion of the British royals a tad boring!
To me, Kate is refreshing like Michelle is refreshing. They do not seem to be "styled" in the way that the other celebrity women- read actresses- are these days. They are glamorously normal. "Josephine Public" may not be able to to spend $500 on the beautiful blue Issa dress...but, now dresses might be coming back with design better choices and I for one am thrilled. (I am sick to death of those darn suits.) The possibility of learning about new unheard of designers that Kate may choose is exciting to me. A whole new fashion chapter is starting...and I for one am going to enjoy the ride. But, she needs to get out of the house!! It a fashion DESERT out there with only Michelle!!
Kate's style may not resonate with everyone but it will influence the way women dress on a large scale....just like Michelle....and just like Diana....each in her own time and way.
I agree with Kathryn 100 percent. I think Kate is a lovely woman (physically -- I hope she is also as nice on the inside and I have no reason to believe otherwise) and I can't wait to see what kind of splash she makes on the fashion scene.
Sad to say, but my feeling is that as soon as Kate Middleton becomes a member of the royal family, her official appearance wardrobe will revert to proper suits. Hopefully I'm wrong!
sweet couple!
Scarves Scarves
British fashion is very different as you can tell by some of the hats and outfits Kate has worn. I think other than that she is someone who can dress down in jeans and boots or glam up in a flash, just like Michelle. I'm sure British designers are falling over themselves trying to get in Kate's good graces in order to promote the British fashion label but I think Kate will wear it if she likes it and go foregin if she doesn't. One thing is certain, she will have a jaw-dropping jewelry collection to choose from that is just about priceless. I think Kate has an advantage over her late would-have-been mother in law, Diana, in that she is 10 yrs. older than Diana was going into this, she's lived with her husband to be, they both really seem to have a lot in common and actually seem to love each other. She's already setting trends. She has a figure anyone would admire and radiates health. I wish her the best. It's quite something else going into the Royal Family but she seems to be well-liked by the in-laws already.
I think Kate is lovely but not in the league of Mrs O. Michelle is an incredibly accomplished woman in her own right. Her achievements mean she has always stood on her own and not in the shadow of her husband. In comparison, Kate has not really achieved anything on her own. No doubt she will as William's wife but she will never attain the credibility of Michelle.
On the fashion front, I think Kate plays it too safe - she has not worn anything to really rave about. I guess she will always have to play it safe as a member of the royal family but let's hope she finds a way to liven her wardrobe up and surprise us a little.
I guess for me, Mrs O is a role model, someone to really look up to. And that's what makes following her interesting. Never mind her fabulous fashion choices. Kate is beautiful but just engaged to someone famous.
Simply because of her position/position-to-be, Kate will influence fashion, no matter what she chooses to wear. Hopefully she will make good choices, and I would love to see some of them recorded here.
Absolutely she will have an effect. As someone who looks at your website (Mrs-o.org) almost daily, one of the first things I wondered upon their engagement was who would author the Kate.org website? She's a lot younger than me, but I'd love a page I could go and check out her outfits every once in awhile.
I agree with some of the previous posts.
Ms. Middleton will have a strong influence but a different audience.
Also, jewlery and accessories will be followed more closely by the fashion police.
I can't wait to see who designs her wedding dress, I hope it is Victoria Beckam !
Her style will influence some trends. However, the British style is very different from the USA.
I think kate will have a massive impact and appeal to a different audience. I am closer to her age, so will enjoy watching what she wears. I LOVE her Issa clothes. That being said, I sometimes find her outfit choices a tad bit boring, esp the wedding guest ones. I excuse some of Mrs. O's fashion choices that I don't understand by reminding myself that she is a woman in her mid 40s. For some of the disappointing ones for Kate, I wonder "What is her excuse?" Yes, maybe the monarchy. But I will pick Kate's wardrobe over Mrs. O's anyday.
On a personal level though, I dont think Kate can rival the warmth, realness and approachability of Mrs. O. I also love that Mrs. O is not only first lady but a career woman, a mother, wife and a daughter. All those roles she does effortlessly and I admire.
One thing Kate will wear that Michelle doesn't is hats. I can't wait to see some of the cool hats she'll be trotting out!
I love Kate's clothes and think she looks like a "on her own terms" dresser, similar to Mrs. O. But as Mrs. A said, Mrs. O is more than her clothes. She is a successful, intelligent, warm, elegant, lovely, graceful amazing woman who I admire and want to emulate.
I wish them much happiness. Everyone in the public eye has a style. With the amount of attention given Kate Middleton she will influence. Good luck to her!
Kate is already a fashion icon in the making, she has a fabulous bikini bod and can pull off just about anything, and she's already demonstrated a very fashion forward style. She's marrying a prince, she's already being looked upon as every bit as popular as her predecessor, the late Princess Di. Mrs. O was taken note of in the fashion world for bringing a younger more modern look to the WH. Also in another two to six years she will no longer be as much in the limelight. Kate is marrying into the royal family for life, unlike William's parents it appears to be an actual love match. Kate will have no choice in her newfound status as a trend setter. She is arguably the most popular young royal in the world, everything she wears will be scrutinized and emulated.
Catherine has already shown a style to be copied--now hopefully someone will set up a website simular to the Mrs. O website only about the future Princess! If only there had been one like this for the late Princess of Wales
I agree with the post above, Ms. Middleton radiates health. She is thin in a fit way, and I think Mrs. Obama can certainly appreciate that! Perhaps Kate will work on childghood obesity (which is also a major issue in the UK, though not nearly as profound as the U.S.) as Mrs. Obama has done here. I think other posters are spot on that-despite amazing hats- Kate will just not make the same fashion splash that Mrs. Obama has. I think as a member of the royal family her tastes will be more restricted by decorum and tradition (for example, I'd bet money her wedding dress will have sleeves, despite some couture-esque predictions by American blogs). In general, she always looks put together, and beautiful, but she will not likely bring around attention to fashion- not just looking put together as political women tend to do- as Mrs. Obama has. Time will tell, but I think if fashion was her gift, we would have already seen it, as she has been around in American tabloids for several years now.
I believe Ms Middleton will not be measured against Michelle Obama, but against Princess Diana. The new addition to the Royals will be expected to be as amazing as the late princess. Very big shoes to fill.
Kate Middleton is not influential in the fashion arena. Yet. She may well be in the future, but for now, she has a fairly classic style that is not inspiring. Mrs O is inspiring people with her fashion choices. William's mother was inspiring in her fashion chocies. But I suspect - and I don't mean this nastily at all - that Kate is a little bit conservative in her fashion choices and won't change from that. I'd be delighted to be wrong, but I don't think she is going to be like Crown Princess Mary of Denmark or Rania of Jordna or Mrs O. These three set style, I'd put Kate as more of a follower of fashion. Which is fine, I think she'll do that beautifully and she will rarely put a foot wrong. But I don't think we've got any fashion adventures on the horizon.