Bargain versions of the bespoke dress worn by the Duchess of Cambridge were today doing brisk business online.
There was such demand for the blue polka dot dress by Mayfair-based designer Jenny Packham that her website crashed after word spread on Twitter. But the empire-line crepe de Chine garment was a one-off created for the duchess, and will never be available to the public, the boutique said.
There were comparisons with the dress Princess Diana wore when she left the Lindo Wing carrying Prince William in 1982.
But where Diana appeared nervous and bewildered by the attention, a glowing Kate smiled broadly and spoke assuredly as she introduced her child to the world's press and the hordes of cheering well-wishers.
David Walker-Smith, of Fenwick's department store on London's Bond Street, highlighted the link to the outfit chosen by William's mother.
"Kate copied Diana and wore a spotty dress as she did when William was born," he said.
Her husband, who wore his sleeves rolled up, sported a pair of dark trousers, brown belt and a pale blue shirt for the occasion, in stark contrast to the pinstripe suit and tie worn by his father in 1982.
A worker at Packham’s boutique said: “It was an entirely bespoke design for the duchess, it’s not available to buy. Our website crashed with the demand for it.” Off-the-peg sequined evening gowns cost up to £3,000 and Kate is thought to have paid from £1,000 for her creation.
Today, online retailer Simply Be was offering a similar butterfly-print blue dress for only £15.
Elitzia.com invited shoppers to “steal her style” for £29.99. A company spokeswoman said: “There will a mad rush for the high street to recreate this.”
