Monday Memory: April 25, 2012

Kate wears Matthew Williamson to the African Cats premiere...plus, do you remember where Pippa was that month?

It is Monday, and we are back with the weekly Monday Memory post. I use a random number generator to give me the year and month, so I was delighted as many of you are to find out today that we are really digging back into the archives—all the way to April 25, 2012. It was just days before William and Kate’s first wedding anniversary and the two were attending the premiere of African Cats in London.

Kate wore a blue/grey peplum dress from Matthew Williamson’s pre-fall 2012 collection. The dress stood out and remains memorable because of the bright and bold embellishments at the neckline and on the sleeves. Kate wore Emmy London “Valerie” heels and carried the label’s “Natalie” clutch, both in a matching gun-metal grey.

The dress certainly did not require a necklace, but Kate added the perfect earrings to complement the dress. I think she has only worn these gorgeous Kiki McDonough peridot and blue topaz oval studs publicly this one time. I thought she’d brought them out again, but after searching, I cannot find another occasion. I think I am confusing an engagement where it initially looked like she was wearing them, but, upon better photos, it became clear she was not. If I am misremembering, drop a comment, but this is the only sighting I can remember right now.

It surprises me these earrings have only gotten one public outing, because they are technically studs, so they are easy to wear, and they are also just stop-you-in-your-tracks beautiful in both color and design. Kate has worn a lot of pretty earrings over the last 12 years or so, but despite one wear, these are still at the top of the list for most beautiful, and on my personal top 5 favorite list.

I also loved this event for the interaction between William and Kate. It was raining, and William was running here and there with the umbrella making sure his princess did not get wet.

It is interetsing to me that when I think of this ensemble, I think COLOR. Matthew Williamson is primarily an interior designer, and his use of color is phenomenal (check out his Instagram). Although the dress itself was a bluish/grey, the beautiful, bright embellishments paired with the Kiki earrings—some of the most colorful Kikis Kate owns—leaves the impression of color.

I still love this dress in its “time period.” For this event, it was and remains a huge hit for me. I do think that trotting it out today would look dated. Everything about this dress screams 2012, from the length, to the peplum and the embellishments, to the exposed zippered back. But it was a smash hit that endures in memory, making it one of her iconic looks.

As a side note: I looked back at my post from all those years ago, and noticed another headline I had in April of that year which read: “Could Pippa Middleton Face Jail Time?” I was shocked; I had no recollection of this! I reread my own post. Apparently, in April of 2012, Pippa was in Paris to party with friends, as one does. Just before heading back to London on the Eurostar, she did some last minute shopping riding around in a convertible with friends and someone in the car (not Pips) playfully brandished a presumably fake handgun at paparazzi.

There was speculation in the papers about whether charges would be brought, but that initial report was the last anyone ever heard of the incident. Times do change! Now she is a mom of three and only occasionally steps out for a charity event. On a fashion note, remember that Modalu London bag she is carrying? Pippa had it in so many colors. I have it in a caramel sitting on the floor in my closet. Happy memories. :-)

Ok, that’s a wrap on today’s Monday Memory. Let me know what you thought about this ensemble in the poll or in the comments!