THE KATE EFFECT
The Daily Mail reported that the red and white dress the Duchess of Cambridge wore Sunday in a nod to the Canadian flag was created by British fashion designer Alexander McQueen and cost $6,800. Kate accessorized it with a $1,090 red suede clutch purse by Italian designer Miu Miu (a subsidiary of Prada) and red high heels. The fashion industry in this country has been speculating whether any Canadian brands will benefit from the “Kate effect” during this Royal visit. During the couple’s first Canadian visit in 2011, the Duchess wore two dresses by Montreal-born designer Erdem Moralioglu, whose ready-to-wear label ERDEM is based in the U.K. And a navy blazer by the Toronto-based line Smythe, which was first spotted on the 2011 tour, has become a staple in her wardrobe.