Earlier this month, the Princess of Wales’s long-time wardrobe adviser, Natasha Archer, announced her new styling business after more than a decade of working in the royal household. And while the Princess has previously stated she does not want her fashion choices to be a focus, there is no denying that Archer helped transform Catherine’s look into the elegant, chic poster woman for royal fashion that she is today.
Stylists and dressers are some of the most important members of any royal household, even if they are largely unknown to the general public. On a practical level, they are there to ensure that a princess or queen is dressed appropriately for every occasion, with details such as weather conditions and activities taken into consideration. Beyond this, a good stylist can help a royal woman take control of her own image, through curating a wardrobe that communicates who they are as an individual.
“A significant amount of their public perception is shaped by their presentation,” says Elizabeth Holmes, author of HRH: So Many Thoughts on Royal Style. “A stylist can nudge someone in one direction or the other – more stately or exciting – depending on the day.”
“Angela Kelly’s push to more intense hues transformed Queen Elizabeth II from an elderly monarch into a vibrant icon,” Holmes continues. “Less appreciated, but perhaps even more important, is the aspect of function. The logistics of a working wardrobe – liaising with design houses, overseeing tailoring, preparing the garment for wear – are a crucial piece of the puzzle. So much of what is celebrated about royal fashion is in the precise execution, with nary a wrinkle or a scuff in sight.”
These are the wardrobe whisperers assisting royals around the world.
Anja Camilla Alajdi
Client: Queen Mary of Denmark
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.telegraph.co.uk ’
