Interestingly, these particular shoes have a long history, dating back over a decade. The Royal first showcased them in October 2010 while on a visit to Canada, and since then, she has worn them on multiple occasions for various official visits and charity events. Princess Catherine's choice of footwear complemented her outfit that day, which consisted of a white collared shirt, a £120 gray sweater vest from Samantha Cameron's clothing line, and £130 plaid trousers. To add a touch of formal elegance, she wore small gold Huggy earrings lined with pearls.
In 2014, Jenna Lyons, the former Executive Creative Director and President of the retailer J.Crew, expressed her admiration for the Duchess of Cambridge after a meeting in New York. Catherine, known for her appreciation of High Street fashion, was introduced to Jenna Lyons, and the two appeared to hit it off. They were photographed chatting and laughing, forming an instant connection.
Jenna Lyons spoke highly of her encounter with Catherine, describing it as a powerful and exciting experience. She emphasized that meeting Catherine made her feel like she was in the presence of a true princess, highlighting Catherine's loveliness and graciousness during their interaction.
In a 2021 interview with UK media, Jenna Lyons continued to express her enthusiasm about meeting Catherine, reminiscing about the encounter and calling her the sweetest and most charming person she had ever met. Lyons shared an anecdote about Catherine touching her sparkly shirt during their meeting, which left a lasting impression on her.
This admiration for Catherine, long before her association with J.Crew, underscores the genuine admiration people have for the Duchess. It's clear that Jenna Lyons held Catherine in high regard, emphasizing her down-to-earth personality and charm.
In contrast, there have been instances where Meghan Markle's association with a brand, in this case, J.Crew, led to controversy. Some claimed that when Meghan wore a $158 J.Crew Gazelle v-neck sweater blazer to the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, it caused the J.Crew website to crash. However, J.Crew quickly clarified that the website downtime was due to planned maintenance and not because of Meghan's association with the brand. This incident led to discussions and speculations, with some suggesting that J.Crew wanted to distance itself from Meghan Markle.
In summary, Princess Catherine's timeless fashion choices continue to sell out effortlessly, while Meghan Markle's impact on a brand's popularity has occasionally sparked debates and controversies.
