Kate Middleton's British Fashion Influence, According To Emilia Wickstead

All hail Kate Middleton. Another of the Duchess' favourite designers praises her influence on British fashion, ahead of Australia trip.

As Kate Middleton prepares to give her royal wardrobe the couture treatment in Australia, another coveted designer has hailed the Duchess as a credit to British fashion.

Talking to CNN's Max Foster, Emilia Wickstead said: 'I am always designing with the idea of a woman dressing up.

'And I think she is influencing fashion in that way so that young girls in britain or around the world can look up to her and - whether you like the way she dresses, whether you like it or not - I think it is wonderful what she does for fashion, particularly British fashion.'

A New Zealand-born designer, Emilia Wickstead is a favourite to dress the Duchess of Cambridge when she heads down under in April, with Kate expected to wear up to four outfits a day.

According to yesterday's reports, Alexander McQueen and Alice Temperley are among the designers creating bespoke gowns and day dresses by order of the Queen's personal dresser, Angela Kelly.

Donatella Versace is among the other designers to praise the Duchess of Cambridge's ability to 'wear anything'.

'I call it the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge effect,' Donatella told The Sunday Times on Kate and Wills' influence on couture fashion.

'She can wear anything because she has a fantastic body.'

Ahead of her trip with Prince William in April, Kate Middleton will attend a gala at the National Portrait Gallery on 11 February.

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