Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned is the (second) wife of the Emir of Qatar and perhaps the fiercest female on the planet. Her Highess is hands down the chicest Lady of the Middle East; she oozes over-the-top glamour and unlike the rest of the "First Ladies Club" she isn't affraid to go out on a limb and make a style statement. Her stature and presence is overwhelming (she makes Carla Bruni look like a short school girl and the Queen like a little old dwarf) and her couture outfits serve to attract attention, rather than fade into the background amoungst her husbands entourage.
"Her personal style is rich with power and confidence, yet retains a real femininity that many women aspire to." (Julian Macdonald)
We love that she proves that a lady can exude fashion fabulousness while incorporation tradition and covering up head to toe. (Of course all while resorting to the hallmarks of chic lady style- the big shades, nipped in waist, turban and bling).
Not only is Sheikha Mozah one of the world's top fashion icons she is a busy woman; she is the mother of 7 children, a special correspondant for Unesco, vice president of the Supreme Education Council and Chairperson of the Arab Democracy Foundation, amoung many other assignments. This is a woman on a mission- as proven by her position as one of Forbes' 100 Most Powerful Women.
And on a side note; we believe she could succeed where Prada's Spring 2007 collection failed and single-handely reignite the turban as full-blown contemporary style statement.
So we think Kate Middleton- ahem, The Duchess of Cambridge, is a bit of a plain-toast royal as far as fashion is concerned. Before the marriage she certainly didnt seem to care too much for making fashion statements of any kind. Thankfully, she now has a full-time troup of advisors and a palace budget behind her and the results.....well... they have been mixed but getting progressively bolder. Until now.
Behold the Duchess in Canada.
Chic red hat, perfectly adorned with maple leafs for Canada day. Prim, lady like white dress for Canada's other colour. Fan n tassle clutch and red heels.
Maple leaf diamond brooch.
More of this please. Until then, we will have to satisfy ourselves with the hats...
The royal wedding is in three days...... thank God. The intense media circus around the nuptials has been completely over the top, no doubt spurred on by the intense secrecy surounding the event. Of course the most top secret of all is the dress. We are hoping Kate opts for something a bit more daring that her normally conservative and minimal choices (would it kill a girl to put on a pair of statement earrings? what about a brooch?). (Perhaps she should take a cue from the future Princess of Monaco Charlene Wittstock, who seems to have perfected the art of lady-like accessorizing).
This is only the single most talked about dress in human history.....and perhaps it is inevitable that it will be a huge anti-climatic let down for all fashionistas. And while every blogger and their dog has speculated on the designer and drawn lists of potential dresses they would love to see the bride in- here at the Lady Book we would simply like to offer some vintage inspiration to the bride.
The dress must ere on the conservative and cover the lady up in true royal style.... so where better to look than to the past, before the strapless, low back, fish tail wedding dress hit the scene?
Why just add length when you can add height? Let's add some volume to the veil....
White gloves and a pill-box hat?................sigh. if only.
images via dovima is devine
Dearest Kate- please take note!
While Kate Middleton has proven herself a lady, she hasn't been offering up anything exciting in the sartorial department other than safe, plain two piece suits (yawn) and prim Burberry jackets. Perhaps she should look to another soon to be royal bride for inspiration- Ms. Charlene Wittstock. Ms. Wittstock will wed Prince Albert II of Monaco in July. The former South African swimmer looks impeccably polished and deadly chic in this Armani Privé outfit at the Monaco National Day Celebrations in November 2010. Behold an outfit perfectly accessorized with a lady's staples; box clutch, leather gloves, sculptural hat, earrings...... and the perfect princessly composure. Bravo!
