So it seems Kate Middleton’s makeover is already in full effect.

Kate Middleton has made her first official appearance of 2014 at the National Portrait Gallery in London, and it seems that the Queen’s “subtle but regal makeover” is already in full effect.

If you’re not across the Queen’s style memo, she advised the Duchess to adopt “lower hemlines” and “statement jewelry and gemstones from the Queen’s personal collection.”

She was also “encouraged to wear the tiaras favored by the Queen and Queen Mother.”

Last night’s appearance was (disappointingly) void of a tiara, but the Duchess was wearing an evening gown and a diamond necklace from the Queen’s collection. Vanity Fair identifies it as the Nizam of Hyderabad diamond necklace.

Middleton has worn the navy silk Jenny Packham dress previously at the 100 Women of Hedge Funds gala dinner in October, but we’re keen to see how the Queen’s personal dresser, Angela Kelly, will influence Kate’s style in her upcoming trip to Australia.

We will wait with bated breath and peeled eyes.

Sass & Bide show at New York Fashion Week.

After 15 together and a decade on from their first ever runway show at New York Fashion Week, Heidi Middleton and Sarah-Jane Clarke have just debuted their latest Fall ’14 collection, entitled “Novateur” (meaning innovator) in New York.

The inspiration for the range came from Ernst Haeckel, a 19th-century German biologist and artist, and Middleton describes the whimsical collection as “A spirited voyage that takes you back in time where free thinking, curiosity and independent thought are celebrated.”

Influential Times fashion critic Suzy Menkes described it as a “bit of sunshine,” in an article that referred mostly to the models not wearing pants and the trans-seasonal nature of the collection.

“A lot of the clothes, even in black chiffon with gilded decoration or the graphic black-and-white check prints, seemed designed for sunny climes.”

What’s trending at New York Fashion Week? Diversity. (Finally.)

In one giant leap for inclusion, Danielle Sheypuk, Ms. Wheelchair New York 2012, is the first person to “walk” the New York Fashion Week runway in a wheelchair.
Sheypuk modelled for designer Carrie Hammer, who wanted to feature “role models not runway models” in her collection.

“It is so important to me that women have positive body image and are empowered in work and their life. My line makes dresses to fit women. We don’t make dresses that women need to fit into,” Hammer said in an email interview with the Huffington Post.

Of the experience Sheypuk said:  “I was just another model in a show, and that’s exactly what I wanted.”

“People with disabilities need to see it. It’s a confidence booster. It’s like, ‘if she’s doing it, I can do it. Who cares about my wheelchair?'”

Behold: the Booty Bra.

Remember that episode of Seinfeld when Kramer invents the man bra the “Bro”? Well, pioneering shapewear brand Spanx has done a similar thing, but with your buttocks in mind.

The Trust Your Thinstincts Booty Bra promises to provide the stomach and hip-smoothing sucking-in-power of regular Spanx without flattening your bum in the process.

According to the description on the website the Booty Bra “features your favorite smush-free technology from up top…now on bottom. Expandable fabric placed at the cheeks keeps your posterior perky and separated—you won’t believe these buns are real!”

Wait, separated cheeks?

The Olsen Twins want you to wear a snuggie this winter.

For those not in the know, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (the cute twins from Full House) design a label called The Row, which has just shown at New York Fashion Week.

This season they’ve taken their inspiration from an expected source, snuggies.

Leandra Medine of the ManRepeller blog called the oversized cowl-neck cashmere sweaters and matching skirts an “Alaskan tuxedo” and Porter magazine have dubbed it “Blanket dressing.”

Either way, this winter is looking mighty cosy.

Country Road celebrate 40 years.

Country Road first opened it’s doors in 1974, and this year marks 40 years for the much loved Aussie lifestyle brand.

To celebrate Country Road is launching a modern and fresh new brand identity, and will be rolling out new concept stores.

“Country Road has always had a fashionable but relaxed outlook. We’re excited about the future and continued focus on delivering modern Australian style,” Managing director Sophie Holt said.

COUNTRY ROAD AUTUMN 2014 from MCMPR on Vimeo.

If you haven’t already received Country Road’s catalogue in the mail, take a look through their dreamy A/W14 campaign shot by renowned Australian photographer Simon Lekias here.

Credit card alert: Sambag now do clothes.

In news that will make your bank manager pleased, Sambag have extended their apparel collection to include panel tees, dresses, pencil skirts, biker jackets and wool coats.

Designer Sam Wagner says, “The autumn winter 2014 collection is all about layering beautiful high quality fabrics and textures. The combination resulting in a luxe day look and dressier separates to take you to evening.”

We’ll take one of everything.

And while we’re on the subject, Iris & Ink, the exclusive label created by The Outnet.com, launches at the end of this week. Form an orderly queue.

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