What does one wear to one’s first Royal Variety Performance? As most of the British nation hibernated from the growing winter chill, such was the outfit conundrum the Duchess of Sussex faced on the third Monday in November.
he show, which has been staged annually since 1912, raises funds for UK entertainers in need of assistance due to old age, ill health or hard times. The Queen has been patron of the Royal Variety Charity since 1952, and thus the evening (due to be staged on TV in December) always has a handful of family members keeping the royal box seats warm.
For her turn watching the best of Britain’s performers, including Take That and George Ezra, the Duchess looked to London-based brand Safiyaa for a sequin-embellished monochrome look which showed that her love of eveningwear has not diminished since her pregnancy was announced in October. The strapless top was a custom version of the label’s “Malaya” bicolour bustier with asymmetric overlay peplum, and the skirt an adaptation of the Gayeta fishtail skirt in black. Birks’ Snowstorm diamond earrings added to the floral effect.
Meghan first wore Safiyaa at the Fijian state dinner on the royal tour of Oceania in October, and has no doubt cemented her relationship with brand founder Daniela Karnuts since then. Indeed, there’s a lot to like from the label, which is named after Karnuts’s daughter. Born in 2011 out of frustration at the lack of Savile Row equivalents for successful businesswomen, Karnuts, a fashion media professional, took matters into her own hands. With 12 dress designs as her brand blueprint, she went into production, and has since expanded to offer demi-couture eveningwear, too.
By wearing Safiyaa again, the Duchess is in good company. Jennifer Lopez and Kate Winslet have also found much to like in a brand underlined by female empowerment. Considering that this trio of women have their pick of custom looks from global fashion houses, it’s refreshing to see the designs of one woman rallying against industry norms shining through.
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This article first appeared on Vogue.co.uk