the aristo-catwalk
sAUNTERING down the catwalk in a crown, she looked for all the world like a Renaissance princess. And that description is not far off the mark, given the young woman’s exquisite pedigree.
This was Lady Amelia Windsor, 21-year-old granddaughter of the Duke of Kent and 36th in line to the throne, making her catwalk debut for Dolce & Gabbana.
She wasn’t the only blue-blood on show for the brand. Following closely behind was another ravishing blonde in gold lace and a costume tiara. It was Lady Kitty Spencer, 26-year-old daughter of Earl Spencer and niece of the late Princess Diana.
Beautiful as they are, these girls are not your classic models — Amelia is on the short side and Kitty is curvaceous. So how on earth did they end up on the catwalk of one of the world’s biggest fashion labels?
Well, what these girls lack in height, they make up for in breeding. And that’s exactly what the fashion industry is desperate to get its hands on.
It’s a knock-on of the lauded ‘Kate effect’ — the stylish gloss of the Duchess of Cambridge, which means everything she wears sells out instantly. Being blue-blooded is cool again, and designer labels are falling over themselves to jump on the bandwagon.
This is unlikely to be the last fashion show we’ll see transformed into an ‘aristo-catwalk’. As Vogue recently declared: ‘Aristocratic models are seeing a major resurgence, with names straight from the social register.’
That’s because beauty and breeding are an irresistible combination to luxury brands. When you are selling an evening dress for £3,000, a handbag for £2,000 or a perfume at £80, a little bit of posh polish goes a long way.
whILE fashion and the aristocracy have long been linked, there are now more blue-bloods than ever on the catwalks — an indication, says luxury fashion consultant Frances Card, that designers are seeking out a new audience.
Ironically, these posh models actually appeal more to normal people, because they have more personality than the traditional catwalk girl.
‘For so long it’s been such an elitist, cold industry. It’s also been a bit mean about people who aren’t physically “perfect”. Now they realise they just can’t continue like that. Times are tough and these labels have to be more accessible,’ she explains.
For years Burberry has led the way, choosing long-limbed girls plucked straight from country piles, but now a host of other well-born ladies have been popping up in fashion shows and magazine shoots.
As well as their breeding, designers are undoubtedly drawn to this beautiful bunch for their edge. From carousing on yachts in Ibiza to writhing at Notting hill Carnival, these girls know how to party. Wouldn’t we all far rather watch a group of remarkably different girls walk down a catwalk than a bunch of poor, starved waifs?