Thursday 17 September 2009

Duchess style

Well, I had 8 débutantes proper and 15 debs for the day, two Princesses and one Duchess to have hair, make up and get dressed for the evening ball held yesterday in Westminster. The gowns had all been selected and fitted by Pronovias of Bond Street and Harrods ( a Barcelona based wedding gown specialist) as the theme for the ball was of white gowns. A fairytale coming out! The television screening of the Queen Charlotte Ball takes place on Channel 4 in December.



Apologies for photo qualities but as well as the film crew photographer and the You and Your Wedding photographer we did have our own one to take behind scenes photos. I couldn't resist a few blackberry snaps.
Lukas Kroulik had created a fresh faced and hair look to go with the wedding gowns as we felt heavy make up and very structured hair would look too contrived with the fact the girls were wearing wedding gowns and very heavy ostentatious jewellery. Quite nymph like hair and I would have added ribbons to the dresses too - if I'd had my way. However stylistic quirks weren't really the order of the day, more production manger efficiency to execute everything on time.


The main 8 girls were to leave for more filming before the rest and as I helped the last one down the stairs by lifting her dress so she didn't go flying, I rushed back up the stairs to sneak in this shot above. The scene of the gathered girls below did look lovely waiting for their cars - the suits are the jewellery body guards!

And finally the Duchess of Somerset - I had just tied her mink stole on and had someone to lift her dress and put her shoes on so not the best of shots plus quality issues but I wanted a memento because we had quite an encounter. The poor duchess had arrived with luggage at the hotel but of course there were no rooms available for a freshen up and shower. I had to send someone to Harrods for shampoo and luckily I had a towel with me and the Duchess of Somerset literally had to freshen up in the washroom and have one of the hairdressers wash her hair there.

In the midst of it all I caught some of the debs using black eyeliner and adding to their make up! I told them off as the dresses and more importantly the jewellery had to be protected. Later on the Duchess told me she was impressed with my telling them off, I equally complemented her on her ability to muck in, in the washroom. And of course she uttered the words which were music to my ears. 'Well Kate, when I had a job for a while as a fashion assistant at Vogue we were taught to make do in any situation.' Ah Duchess style you've got to love it!

19 comments:

  1. I had a Pronovias gown for my wedding 10 years ago and I still love it!

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  2. Adding black eyeliner to their makeup... wow! Would have made for a nice Amy Winehouse look! :D

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  3. Very amused re the black eyeliner! Sneaky gals...

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  4. Love the Duchess story, the whole event sounds kind of magical. And very jealous of the Pronovious dresses!

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  5. Just goes to show teenage girls will be teenage girls in any situation...

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  6. Those photos have a real ethereal quality about them.

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  7. Oooh, this is a great post. Love the window onto your experience.

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  8. A Duchess after your own heart, LOL!! Very well done, it sounds like a truly awesome experience!!

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  9. What fabulous gowns!
    I need a tiara!

    xoxox,
    CC

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  10. What an exiting event! Kudos to both you and the Duchess for handling what was thrown at you both :)

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  11. Awesome post - what a fab day.

    Love your encounter with the Duchess - she sounds like a good sort!

    I can also relate to the anxiety of protecting expensive white dresses and jewellery - terrifying! xx

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  12. Duchess of Make Do Style, has quite a ring to it!

    Naughty girls with their eyeliner, although being devoted to my own panda eyes I can understand their motivations. Will we get to see the finished photos?

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  13. Hi there!! Just to let you know there is an award to collect from me!! have a great weekend!!

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  14. Great Post, and great blog too! Sorry it has taken me a while to come over and see you. Now I realise I was under dressed as well. Oh dear. Have fun in Paris.

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  15. Wow, Fantastic! x Have a lovely trip to Paris! xxx

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  16. The Duchess showed true "Make Do" style. I love it. Great post, K!

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  17. I love the Duchess! What a fantastic story and gorgeous pictures. xoxo

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  18. Hey Kate,

    Thanks for being there with me.

    It was great and you did a fantastic job!!!

    Lukas x

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  19. Hello!

    So I've been reading your blog for a while now but a few weeks ago I was searching for info on the ball and found this old post!
    Well what a delightful coincidence because I shall be a debutante this year! There's an etiquette seminar on Saturday and I'm really excited.
    Do you think you'll be involved again this year? :)

    Florrie x

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