Kim Kardashian v. Kate Middleton: Who Has More Fashion Influence?

Designer Roland Mouret proves the "Kate Middleon effect" isn't always true

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Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge and Kim Kardashian in Roland Mouret designs.

Kate Middleton’s Midas touch in fashion has been well documented since she and Prince William announced their engagement in November 2010. Both high-end and mass fashion retailers are known to sell out of pieces within days of her appearance in them; one of Middleton’s favorite brands, Reiss, reported doubled operating profits in 2011 because of her support.

But in a new interview with British Vogue, French designer Roland Mouret says Middleton’s prowess is actually overrated. “You don’t see hundreds of women running around looking like her. To be honest, we’re more likely to get orders on a dress that Kim Kardashian’s worn,” he told the magazine.

Kardashian wears Mouret often. She most famously chose a skin tight red dress of his for the Marine Corps Ball in North Carolina last November, which resulted in this viral picture. The Duchess, meanwhile, chose a long, white dress by the designer for an event at Claridge’s Hotel in London last May.

It’s worth noting that Kardashian also sells her own designed clothing at Sears and QVC, which we can’t ever see happening with Kate, though a Royal discount chain clothing line is fun to imagine. The Duchess also reportedly returned Kardashian Kollection samples that Kim had mailed her.

As Mouret explains, the Duchess purposely avoids outfits that will cause a “tabloid frenzy” and once even asked the designer to loosen a dress so it wouldn’t fit as tight (for comparison’s sake, it’s hard to imagine Kardashian making such a request). “She doesn’t want a bottom situation like Pippa had,” he said.

That would be an understatement.

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