Fashion designer Donna Ida recently set the record straight about the Princess of Wales’ shopping habits.
She insisted that though Princess Kate’s denims may fit her like a glove, all her clothes are actually store-bought and not freebies from designers.
It’s an approach that Ida genuinely admires, and one she sees reflected throughout the larger Royal Family.
Designer Reveals the Best Thing About Royals Refusing To Accept Freebies
It’s already been found that Princess Kate’s value to the UK fashion industry is upwards of a billion dollars, and if anything, her return to this year’s BAFTAs readily showcases this.
Her wardrobe is made up of casual denim’s, t-shirts and of course floor-sweeping gowns for those major royal engagements, and yet, not among any article of clothing can one find a freebie.
She has proven that she’d rather strut down a green carpet in a rented $91 neon gown, than call in a favor from any of the huge fashion designers.
This approach by the Princess is one that fills fashion designer Donna Ida, an Australian-born fashion designer nicknamed the “Queen of Jeans,” with endless joy.
“It’s more beneficial for designers when the royals buy clothes and not receive freebies,” she told the Mail. “It shows that they want it and support your brand, and it’s not just product being chucked around.”
She expressed these sentiments during an appearance at her pop-up shop at Chandos House in London, held in partnership with Dr Sebagh.
There, she revealed that the Princess of Wales consistently insisted on paying for any items she fancies from her collection. This is something Ida personally feels adds more value to brands than gifting arrangements.
She further gushed: “The royals are very conscious like that, and they would always want to pay for things and support brands. The royals are great.”
In 2019, Ida shared a tantalizing detail about the Royal Family’s shopping habits, spilling that Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, sometimes serves as a secret shopper for Kate.
At the time, Ida recounted, “She said, ‘Kate wants one, can I get one as well?'”
Be sure to catch up on everything happening with The Royal Family right now. Come back here often for all The Royal Family spoilers, news, and updates.