The Countess of Wessex presented the Queen Elizabeth II Prize for Design 2021 from her home via Zoom alongside Caroline Rush, CEO of the British Fashion Council. This year, Priya Ahluwalia, a London-based designer, became the winner of the prize for combining her use of sustainable resources with elements of her Nigerian and Indian heritage.
The designer uses deadstock and repurposed locally sourced vintage materials for her collections, combining elements and influences from her Nigerian and Indian heritage. During the video conference, The Countess of Wessex spoke with Priya Ahluwalia and Caroline Rush also about the effect of the pandemic on the fashion industry. The Countess is Patron of the London College of Fashion.
Victoria Beckham Pleated printed stretch-crepe turtleneck maxi dress
Très belle dans cette robe imprimée à petit col roulé mais il me semble qu'un petit peu plus courte, elle aurait grande allure surtout avec ses cheveux joliment lissés - Elle porte des bottes ? Je la verrais bien avec des chaussures à talons ?!
ReplyDeleteCountess Sophie looks great in the first photo although it is presumably a screen shot. I quite like the dress but would prefer it several inches shorter. Hope we will see more of this hard working and unassuming lady (and her husband) as well as the York Princesses, as members of the Royal family are moved into the spaces left by Harry and Meghan. National Theatre patron? Queen's Commonwealth Trust ( would tie in nicely with D of E work in my opinion though not presuming to tell Her Majesty how to do her job!!! 😀 )
ReplyDeleteAgree, she looks amazing and beyond she has great work ethic. Bravo!
DeleteThe Countess looks very pretty in the still photo. Her hair frames her face nicely, her makeup is muted, and her eyes look icy blue. The dress fits perfectly but I think it would be better if it were shorter, as worn by the model. The print of the dress is interesting,
ReplyDeleteBlondie
DeleteI agree, she looks great and I do think the dress would be just perfect a touch shorter. She's really a great asset to the RF!
Agree on all points, Debra.
DeleteE.B.B.
Sadly it is a no from me. I do not like the dress at all and it is far too long. I also think that a more modern hairstyle would be so much better.
ReplyDeleteAgree, but maybe the picture is taken from a wrong angle and is the dress not so ( awfull) long as it seems.
DeleteJudy
I agree. I do not like this dress at all. Not the print, not the length, not the neckline. I don't even like it on the taller model. It does seem comfortable. But that's about it.
DeleteI agree. I don't really like her dress neither her hair today. Sophie often wears too long clothes.
DeleteIf this is a case of .....
Delete"the ayes to the right and the nos to the left".......
then I'm going on the side with the "nos".
For me, the dress is too heavy, too much, too old fashioned English granny look.
But then I see the Countess with two problems.
She is not a fashion horse and is usually a conservative dresser.
Plus it is a difficult occassion to choose an appropriate dress or ensemble. One can't be over the top nor frumpy.
My choice would be for a look more neutre.
In the zoom, the changes to her coloring are too high contrast giving a heavily made up dark eye look, that with the dark dress feels off. However, she looks great in the picture. The dress looks comfy, nice color but a bit too long for my taste on the bottom.
ReplyDeleteGlo
Agree with the other commenters, the dress would have looked better if it was several inches shorter, as worn by the model. Some times when I see ill-fitting clothes on the royals, not only on Sophie (although it seems to happen more often with her) but on others too, I wonder if they are "loaned" the garments from the fashion houses for a one-off showing and then they need to return them, so they cannot alter them to fit their height or other parameters. In a way it would make sense, especially now with the Zoom calls, you only need to dress up for an hour or so, not leaving the indoors.... Maybe all these once-worn dresses end up in Bicester Village, hehehe :-) I remember also the tag dangling from one of Meghan's dresses....
ReplyDeleteOne other point I wanted to make about Sophie: as I look at her ageing so gracefully and still with a very youthful face and figure, I imagine that this is perhaps how Diana would have looked now, similar age, similar facial features and hair, she was taller but otherwise the two women seem to have quite a few similarities, don't you think? If I squint, I imagine I am looking at Diana :-)
E.d'A.
Unlike other to, Sophie doesn’t know how to do her own makeup. It’s obvious she could use watching some tutorials. Although if we compare with her own makeup from more than a decade ago, this is progress.
ReplyDeleteOn the dress side, it’s a nice one, but I personally don’t think this silhouette favours her frame (unlike Catherine, she is not tall enough for it), but it was in her wardrobe already, so she probably thinks otherwise. She is to be commended for not spending on new outfit for sure. Overall not her best appearance IMO. CH
Sophie wird immer attraktiver :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a nice dress if it is worn in the correct size and on the right body; here I find it is swallowing Sophie - high neck, sleeves too long, hem too long. The shorter proportions look better on the model, but even then I'd prefer it to be shorter still and less suffocating on the sleeves and neck. I like the print and the colour.
ReplyDelete- Anon 9:13
I like the longer length hair on Sophie. She looks more youthful. The dress length is not flattering at all and I am not crazy about the print. These beyond midi length dresses are very matronly. Combining the length with the high neck and long sleeves, this frock makes me think it would be successful for women in a conservative religious sect. Sophie has worn much better dresses that are shorter and very flattering for her body. I think this dress could be improved if she wore it at the length the model is and wearing a nice feminine pump instead of boots. Her skin has a nice, healthy glow in the last picture. Very pretty. ~d
ReplyDeleteCountess Sophie is a very good looking woman espacially in the last pic.
ReplyDeleteI love the dress, suits her well. On the model it's a tiny bit shorter, that's a tiny bit better.
But nontheless - really lovely. And her hair is beautiful.
So all in all, she seems to be young and healthy.
To me the Countess of Wessex is so striking with her fine facial features and those pretty blue eyes. I would not be surprised if the Queen did not give her more duties now that Harry and Meghan have stepped down. She has a very close bond with the Queen and is one of her most trusted confidents.....Fitzhugh
ReplyDeleteI am curious, how do you know about this bond? Not trying to be snarky, but her majesty is incredibly private, and so poker faced that you could never guess any of her feelings by looking at her body language. If one were to believe what the reputable press writes, this family rarely see each other, but on official occasions, you must have an appointment to see the queen and it can take a while. I think that all this talk about the cozy feelings or their lack there off between the Royal ladies is pure speculation sold to the readers.
DeleteJust my opinion.
Baby
Dear Baby, I am responding to your comment questioning the accuracy of my comment about The Queen and Sophie's relationship. In addition to what I already wrote I read that Edward and his families residence is in Bagshot Park within close proximity to Windsor Castle. In a interview Sophie gave to Sky News she said that she and the Queen also share a love for military history and horses. She also stated since they are so close to the Queen their children Louise and James spend lots of time with their Grandmother. I have also read that Edwards 120 room mansion is one of the most impressive residences of them all since 2 Kings have lived their as well as queen Victoria's son and because it is in Bagshot Park so close to Windsor castle. So, yes I believe this because Sophie revealed this information in her Interview with sky news. By what Sophie said I would very much doubt that they have to schedule an appointment with her Majesty who as you know is Edwards mother!
DeletePSS.
DeleteTo: Newmyroyals, I forgot to include my name with the comment I just made in response to Baby's comment questioning the accuracy of my comment about her Majesty and Sophie's relationship. Please post the comment I just made and accept this post as my name.....Fitzhugh
I actually like everything about the dress, the print is original and not granny at all, is tailored at the right places and the ruching makes it interesting, I don’t dislike this length but I would have worn, taller more feminine boots or a contrasting bootie. My BIG issue is one that I generally have with Sophie, Camilla and Máxima, their brassieres are atrocious, I’ll fitting, and frankly Sophie is way too young to show her bust line in such unflattering way.
ReplyDeleteCB
You are correct about the undergarments. Such a small thing makes such a big difference. ~d
DeleteLast pic is lovely, good lighting, hair, colour story of dress.
ReplyDeleteIt seems camera angle may contribute to perceived length of dress. She often chooses longer maxi dresses, which I adore as well. She may need to tweak slightly to reduce length a bit.
A fun event, perfect for Sophie. Congrats to winner, Priya!
Вера💚🦋
I absolutely do not like this VB dress, not the print or cut (I can't see it flattering anyone). However, I do think her hair looks great here. I'm quite excited to see what new patronages she picks up, I'm always excited to see her and her work.
ReplyDeleteChel
Don't like the pattern, style, or extreme length of the frock she is wearing. Her makeup seems a little over-done, but then it could simply be the lighting as in the photo, she looks lovely. Not a fan of her longer length hair.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous2/25/21, 8:25 AM
DeleteGives me joy to see the word "frock" still being used.
I grew up in a British colony where it was an active word in our vocabulary.
For example, my mother would always go past the frock shop when out shopping to see what new frocks were in their window.
I remember the sign on the window which said Rockman's Frocks.
And she had a different frock for different occasions.
Thanks for the little walk down memory lane.
Although I would have preferred a shorter dress and a more vibrant colour, I find Sophie lovely and youthful.
ReplyDeleteShe has a beautiful and sweet face.
A real asset to the BRF.
M.
@ Fitzburg, thanks for the information, I am sure that you’ve read it. I did see that interview and of course she politely mentioned some common interest, however I am with Baby on this... you can’t go see the Queen unannounced, you must go thru her office .
ReplyDeleteMM
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