Wellington - Fashion designer Emilia Wickstead said she was thrilled to see Kate, the duchess of Cambridge, stepping out in one of her designs, the New Zealand Herald reported.
Kate wore a teal dress with pleated skirt designed by the New Zealand native to the Palm Sunday church service she attended in the South Island city of Dunedin on Sunday.
Wickstead, a UK-based designer, is coincidentally visiting her home country at the same time as Kate and Prince William.
Her designs are a favourite with Kate, who has previously worn a pink version of the same dress.
Wickstead told the newspaper that Kate had become a role model for young girls. “She's so lovely and what she does for British fashion and young girls, she's made them think that it's great to dress up again and be elegant and groomed. I think it's so fresh for the world we live in now because it is an old-world version of dressing.”
Wickstead grew up in New Zealand but moved to Milan when she was 14. She now runs her designer fashion label from London. The duke and duchess are touring New Zealand and Australia from April 7-25. - Sapa-dpa