Nicholas Kirkwood Slams Kate Middleton For Lack Of ‘Princess-y’ Style

And so the Kate debate rumbles on. Following Grazia’s cover story this week which asked ‘Kate Middleton: Style Queen?’ several fashion voices have joined the discussion – with our favourite German cobbler Nicholas Kirkwood making the most vociferous stand. Speaking to The Daily Beast, Kirkwood has attacked K-middy’s penchant for high street footwear and her lack of ‘Princess-y’ style. He says:

“It’d be great if she did wear [my] shoes. She just wears too much high street stuff. I know she’s trying to be democratic, but I don’t know how many pairs of LK Bennett you can wear. She does occasionally come out and is wearing [Alexander] McQueen or something like that. It’s like, ‘Do that more! You’re meant to be a princess-y type of person, so act like one!"

Duchess of CambridgeDuchess of CambridgeDuchess of Cambridge

Kirkwood also offers an insight into his early career working as a salesman for legendary milliner Philip Tracey – who he had met skiing in Swiss resort Klosters. Kirkwood recalls Treacy finding him asleep at work and shouting “You’re here to sell hats!” But all was not so acrimonious as Kirkwood says Treacy taught him “the idea of not trying to do something for the sake of sales. If you’re going to say something, say it with conviction. Don’t wash it down, because it may appeal more to the masses.”

Nicholas KirkwoodNcholas Kirkwood

And offering a hint perhaps why the Duchess of Cambridge might not be his number one client, Kirkwood says “I’ve tried to build the brand on an aesthetic and recognize all sorts of shapes which haven’t been referenced in vintage shoes and just invent them.” From his fantastical heels to whacky colour combinations, the reason we love Nicholas Kirkwood is his total originality – but we can appreciate he might not be right up the DoC’s strasse.  

Nicholas Kirkwood for Rodarte