The Duchess of Edinburgh is visiting Ukraine at the request of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The Duchess became the first member of the Royal Family to visit Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion. On Monday morning, The Duchess met with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska. The Duchess and First Lady Olena Zelenska visited the Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv.
The Duchess visited the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) office to meet with war victims. Showing her support for Ukrainian women who have played key roles in the conflict and community recovery, the Duchess met with female volunteers who work to help their communities in the aftermath of the attacks with mental health care activities for children.
Sophie looks good even though I am not a fan of the huge floral print fabric but the style is good on her. Ugh--white shoes. Totally a personal thing for me--white shoes are for brides and/or athletic shoes. I understand she might have worn them for the outdoor event but wish she had chosen another pair of flat shoes. The neutral--I think taupe or beige--shoes look good but know they are more formal.
ReplyDeleteJanet
I wondered if the dress had some significance for her hosts as I couldn't see why you would choose it otherwise. It wasn't great with the court shoes but awful with the flats (which were obviously necessary for the terrain for part of the visit. Duchess Sophie is such a star and can look brilliant but some choices are a bit odd to put it mildly and this is one.
DeletePretty dress.
ReplyDelete- Anon 9:13
Oh my dear Sophie, that is one very unlikeable dress. So much wrong, with the huge blotches of black, just thrown at the dress and then the splotches of floral, thrown on the dress as well. Is that the best your money could purchase?? Let me lend you one of my frocks, it would have been so much better than this mess. Lizzy
ReplyDeleteUh, no Sophie. You’re a beautiful woman but just not this.
ReplyDeleteI admire Sophie for visiting the Ukraine and love her Etro dress.
ReplyDeleteThe white shoes don't look right though.
Olena's hair looks beautiful but her outfit is more suited for winter.
Cate I’m interested that you say the suit is better for winter. Typically in Europe a black suit is a business classic that can be worn in any season. You might choose a lighter blouse for summer for comfort but the black suit is always good. Is the “can’t wear black in spring” an unwritten fashion rule in the States or? Very interesting to understand fashion / culture “rules”. (Grace)
Delete@Grace.
DeleteNot everyone in Europe are wearing black suits during spring and summer. In the southern part of Europe like the south of France, Spain, Italy, Greece women wear more black in any season than in the north of France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, etc. (cfr. the many colorful suits of CP Victoria of Sweden) Maybe in the Eastern part of Europe women are also dressed in black more often. I wouldn't say "rules" when it comes to fashion. The last years light colors (even white) are very popular in Europe during winter (clothes, handbags, shoes, boots, ....) In general especially women of a certain age are still wearing darker colors during winter and are a bit reluctant to wear colorful jackets, coats or parka's, shoes, handbags) Younger women on the other hand started to wear about 3 year ago more and more white, cream, pink, light blue, burned orange, fuchsia, red, grass green, dark yellow,..... Accessories like boots, shoes, handbags, gloves, hats, .... were often sold in the same color as the coat or the suit or dress....
Don't bring the US into this. Black is never off limits. There are ways to wear black and other darker colors year round. A black suit is always four seasons, especially in certain professions. There are women that say they will only stop wearing black when they come up with a darker color. I think these "rules" are lingering from older ladies that were brought up in different times. I grew up with those same rules, but love fashion and don't hold on to too many old timey rules any more because fashion evolves. Belts, bags, and shoes don't have to match any more. Our jewelry metals can be mixed. That kind of thing. One I can't accept is wearing a colored bra that shows through my blouse or even a t-shirt~on purpose. I will never be that cool.
DeleteKyiv doesn´t seem to be a dangerous place to visit. If it was, they wouldn´t host high-ranking dignitaries, let alone hold high-profile political summits with multiple heads of states.
ReplyDeleteI am happy about this.
I am happy to see that it is possible to live in Ukraine in this time without any immediate threat. I am not trying to downplay the severity of the situation but rather question the common media proposition that Russia is after destroying Ukraine and invading other countries in Europe, when that just doesn´t seem to be the case. In a full-out war, Kyiv would look like Aleppo by now but it doesn´t. It´s a largely unharmed, functional city.
Sadly, the same cannot be said about Ukraine as a whole.
As this conflict is nearing its end, we are witnessing both sides grabbing and rebuilding what´s left of a broken, dysfunctional country.
On a more superficial level, I think that Sophie´s whole get-up is unfortunate for this occasion. I can almost see what her line of thought was: I´ll pick my default midi dress length, make it floral to look cheerful, but stick to a dark undertone since it´s a war-torn country after all. The florals (and possibly the V-neck) will be a nod to the traditional embroidered blouses of Ukraine.
The overall impression I get is: too casual, totally wrong. The midi length is bordering on maxi as is often the case the Sophie, the floral print -while pretty- is not suitable for the type of visit, and the loafers look like she´s on holiday. I can see that she wore pumps for at least part of the day and that is a vast improvement, but why white?
I think she needed something much more formal, professional and business-like.
The Etro dress as such can be saved for a private summer outing - either in this length for a boho feel, or (imo) better shortened to knee length, ie without the ruffle, for a less heavy and better balanced look.
....As the conflict is nearing his end ?..... I don't think Poetin is giving up.
DeleteOdessa has been bombed a copple of days ago and Charkiv. I don't think Poetin will give up. His next war project is Poland and Sweden and Finland are not at ease at all.
What dysfunctional country are you referring to ? An autocratic corrupt Russia? Why bring up politics on a fashion blog?
Delete@ Vanessa...Just read the news about the war in Ukraine.Today in the region of Donetsk the Russian are winning again .... This conflict is far from over.
DeleteVanessa, you have always been clear with whom your sympathies are, the russian dictator. But this is a fashion blog, so please sort out your trash elsewhere.
DeleteTo Vanessa:
DeleteDon't talk about things you don't understand. My country (Slovakia) shares a border with Ukraine. We have Ukrainian refugees here, we accepted Ukrainian students to the school where I teach, I engaged into helping Ukrainian refugees and I understand their language. So I ´m more informed and I'll tell you this:
Ukraine was maliciously attacked by Russia, and all of Europe should do everything to help the Ukrainians who are heroically defending themselves. Some parts of Ukraine, mainly in the west, are safer than the eastern parts near the border with Russia. But they are not completely safe, there is still a risk of bombing. Kiev was also bombed.
I personally would be afraid to travel there now, so I want to say: Bravo, Sophie, for expressing your support.
Stephanie
Vanessa, Have you sent out your campaign checks to Trump, Orban and Kim Jong Un???
DeleteOh, you guys - the context of Sophie´s visit is described in the captions for this post, so it wasn´t me who "brought it up".
DeleteWhether you like my stance or not - if there was any threat to Sophie´s security, they wouldn´t have sent her there.
The same applies to the EU foreign ministers meeting in October. To be able to host a political summit you need to have quite a bit of functioning infrastructure to cater for the everyone´s (politicians, entourage, media) accomodation, meals, security, logistics.
Kyiw is not a war zone. Most of Ukraine isn´t.
To Stephanie: There are refugees almost everywhere. And you are far from the only one helping refugees. And you are far from the only one understanding their language.
I am always ok with agreeing to disagree :-)
Vanessa, you never miss a chance to stir the pot, do you. You know you upset people here, yet you continue to share your opinions that go against all logic, proof, and common sense, no matter the topic. It would be a kindness to delete your comments so the people that are directly effected by this war, in one way or another, don't need to feel attacked when coming here. Why do you continue do this? This is not the forum for your political thoughts.
DeleteP.S. Adding a smiley face does not soften what you said.
To Vaness again:
DeleteDear Vanessa,
being well informed depends on how close you are to the conflict, whether you know people who live there directly in that country. Slovakia - my homeland is a neighbor of Ukraine. My friends and acquaintances from Ukraine gave me their direct testimony, I have friends in a humanitarian organization who take humanitarian aid there. One of my Ukrainian students returned to Ukraine and enlisted in the army (he reached the age of 19). I do not base my claims on news from the internet or television.
Discussants mainly from Anglo-Saxon countries publish on this page and I assume that they do not have direct contacts with Ukraine. Why don't you write which country you come from? What DIRECT contacts do you have with people from this country?
I repeat, there are no fights in Kyiv, but it is not without risk. The Russians have already bombed the western parts, for example Lviv. That's why I applaud Sophie once again for her visit.
To anonymous 1:52
DeleteNo, I´m not here to stir the pot. My interests are not limited to fashion, and I do like to consider royal engagements in the given context.
I realise that I have triggered some reactions here, but I did present very obvious logic for my reasoning that no one has refuted: Kyiv is safe enough to be visited by high-ranking foreign delegations and functional enough to host a large political summit. I don´t see why that is a controversial statement from a logical point of view. I´m sorry you feel upset, but that´s really your problem. I have not insulted or attacked anyone. I am just sharing my thoughts and observations here and am happy to read other people´s views. You on the other hand seem quite aggressive to be honest.
To Stephanie:
We actually have a lot in common. There are hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees in my country. And since I live in the easternmost part of my country (which is not far from yours), the influx of refugees is very noticeable. I am actively involved with integration work, so there is no need to lecture me on these matters. I know from direct contact and first-hand accounts (and I do speak their language). Most refugees are Russian-speaking as they have fled the actual war zone in southeast of Ukraine. Refugees from other parts of the country are mostly fleeing from being drafted into military service.
If you have talked to anyone from Ukraine, you will have heard about crime and corruption even in pre-war times. I think it is very safe to say that Ukraine has been dysfunctional for years and is certainly broken by now.
I do not base any claims on news from internet or TV. In fact, I explicitly questioned the media narrative.
I am not from any Anglo-Saxon country as you probably can tell by my flawed English.
You have now acknowledged that there are no fights in Kyiv. That was basically what I said in my initial statement, so I don´t understand why it caused such an upheaval.
That Vanessa:
DeleteI assume you are from Poland. Why don't you say directly where you are from? You should be proud of your country.
Yes, I know that there is corruption in Ukraine as well, just like in every country in the post-Soviet space. It is also true that some Ukrainians avoid military service, just as some young men in your country and mine would do. But thousands of others are fighting and dying. We must not allow the Russian aggressor to take over other nations by force. Because it won't stop. My country - Czechoslovakia has experience with the Russian occupation in 1968. That's why I stand steadfastly on the side of the victim - Ukraine. BTW: I speak English, German, Russian fluently. I learned a little Ukrainian from my Ukrainian students (mostly from Kharkiv) and I can communicate decently in Polish.
Stephanie
Thankfully, this website posts the name of the writer first. When you see the word VANESSA....just keep scrolling down to the next entry. She will always bring other issues into this FASHION website and it is best to just ignore.
DeleteMadame
Hi Madame,
DeleteWhy post this rather vicious comment that
a) has nothing to do with fashion, and
b) shows that you failed to do the very thing you advise others to do, namely to ignore my comment?
Regards,
Vanessa
not the best, the dress looks unprofessional, a suit would have been more appropriate.
ReplyDeleteI preferred the dress by ETRO Queen Mathilde was wearing on April 25 to attend a Scientific symposium in Brussels. The dress worn by the D of E makes me think of the dresses and scarfs worn by gypsies. It is also too long as usual. The shoes (loafers?) do not match the dress. A darker shoe would have been better.
ReplyDeleteJe suis désolée mais à mon humble avis, cette robe n'avantage pas du tout Sophie tant au niveau de l'imprimé fleuri, du trop long et large volant. Je l'aurais bien vue dans un tailleur/pantalon comme celui de la dame de couleur blanche !
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteNot the white shoes.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Pr Sophie for this visit ! I don't like the dress, I must admit.
ReplyDeleteI don’t mind the dress. Maybe it refers slightly to traditional Ukrainian dresses ? The white shoes are not my taste, beige or some color of the dress would be nicer.
ReplyDelete@Anon 10:16
DeleteI agree, I think the Duchess has made a good choice as there seems to be a reference (a copy) of traditional Ukrainian embroidery and colours used in the fabric of this dress.
Is it a coincidence or is it by choice?
I'm sure Duchess Sophie is doing everything she can to show these people that they are not alone and not forgotten by the world.
Bravo dear Duchess Sophie. Keep up your good work.
Peace soon in Ukraine! Russians against war
ReplyDeleteI don’t like this dress on the Duchess. I do, however, like her shoes.
ReplyDeleteT
I saw a video with the speech S. gave, without supporting text, and it was quite impressive.
ReplyDeleteSo this time no comment on her clothes.
The only positive thing to say about this dress is that the model fits her well. Garish florals on black background is not a good look.
ReplyDeleteWhen you see Sophie in a photo from a distance the dress looks good on her, but she left it too long and the shoes are awfull, at least for the colour. Black shoes would have been a fat better choice.
ReplyDeleteSophie is doing a worthy thing. She visited a country that is fighting against a foreign invader. She is brilliant and many of the younger royals should learn from her.
ReplyDeletePlease do not rate Mrs. Olena Zelensky's dark suit. She is the wife of the president of a country fighting for freedom. Ukrainians die daily at the front or during bombings, she can't follow fashion now.
Stephanie
This dress is an acquired taste. I personally don't like it, but the Duchess looks lovely. I don't like the hemline nor do I like the very strong print of the fabric. This was a wonderful visit.
ReplyDeleteI do not care for Sophie’s dress - the floral pattern looks oddly clumped on the black background. The white shoes did not bother me; I think they look more attractive than the dress.
ReplyDelete-Royal Watcher
Though I applaud Duchess Sophie’s work and especially travelling to war torn Ukraine.I wonder if a trouser suit would have been a better option,more formal/business look.I think the dress does nothing for her. It’s far too busy a pattern.Too long in length.The incorrect undergarments don’t help!
ReplyDeleteIf Sophie is to represent the UK on the global stage,it might be time to hire a stylist,to help her with her choices.
Lowri.
I agree with Stephanie and Ava but think the print was chosen as an homage to Ukranian tradition, and the white shoes worn to protect the intricate floor as she did change shoes later. Her speech was heartfelt. The First Lady always has style during what must be a harrowing time for all in the Ukraine.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about the pattern of the dress. I think she was trying. It would have been nice to see her in a suit with a Ukrainian blouse as an alternative. Other RLs have them. There is no excuse for the white shoes, however. She has an assortment of comfortable shoes she could have chosen from. She is there for the best of reasons, which is more important than what she is wearing.
DeleteIf you look at the floor Duchess Sophie is standing on the shoes look more like a bone color. Now more than ever Ukraine needs more support more than ever especially in funding if they are going to win this war. Putin must not win!
ReplyDeleteI like this dress, just not on Sophie. A statuesque woman could carry it off.
ReplyDeleteCinci
The main body of the dress is pretty, though not the 2 bottom tiers.
ReplyDeleteStephanie, where in Slovakia are you, in an eastern region such as Presov?
Veronica
No west, near Bratislava, where I moved after my marriage, but I come from under the Tatras.
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