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Nov 17 2010 10:00 AM ET

Kate Middleton’s Royal Blue Issa Dress for a Royal Engagement

Kate Middleton Wears Issa Dress to Engagement Photocall Samir Hussein/WireImage

What does one wear to announce her own royal wedding to Prince William in front of cameras around the world? While it would send most of us mere mortals into a wardrobe meltdown, Kate Middleton simply called upon her favorite brand Issa. The London-based fashion label has become the Brit’s go-to designer of choice over the years, thanks to her love of their elegant wrap dresses and glamorous evening gowns. Opting for one of their classic silk jersey dresses in navy (all the better to sparkle against that dazzling blue sapphire engagement ring) and simple black pumps–her look was princess perfect. As pictures of the happy couple at St. James Palace were beamed across the globe on Tuesday evening, Issa designer and Middleton friend Daniella Helayel told PEOPLE she couldn’t be happier that one of her dresses had been chosen for such a momentous occasion. “We are thrilled with the engagement news and I’m very happy that she has chosen to wear Issa today,” adding, “She is a very pretty and lovely girl.” Fueling speculation that the bride-to-be will wear Issa on her wedding day, Middleton recently wore a bespoke dress that Brazilian-born Helayel whipped up especially for her (based on a dress Middleton already had in her closet). But as dress predictions mount, we’ll simply have to wait and see. One thing we can be sure of is that a style icon is emerging and this one is here to stay. –Monique Jessen

PHOTOS: SEE KATE MIDDLETON’S 10 STYLE ESSENTIALS!

Nov 16 2010 06:00 PM ET

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The Details of Emma Watson’s One-of-a-Kind Burberry Trench

Emma Watson Premieres 'Burberry Bespoke' Collection xposure

There are a few luxe items in which every fashionable woman should invest: a great handbag, an elegant timepiece and a timeless Burberry trench coat. Perfect for inclement weather and sunny days alike, a well-made trench can mask imperfections, create a perfect hourglass shape and pull together even the mishmashiest of outfits. The only gripe we actually have with the classic coat is its ubiquity. That’s why when we spotted style icon Emma Watson arriving at New York’s JFK International in a khaki topper with buttery leather sleeves, we were determined to learn more. As it turns out, Burberry Creative Director Christopher Bailey designed the one-of-a-kind jacket specifically for Emma. The gracious star (and face of Burberry) appreciatively Tweeted, “Wearing my favourite trench that Christopher Bailey @Burberry designed for me. Love it!” So while for now we will have to make do with salivating over Emma’s masterpiece, come next spring, e-shoppers will be able to customize their very own. And though details are still hush hush, we have been informed that the ‘Burberry Bespoke’ service will be a fully integrated, innovative digital platform that enables the personalization of the iconic Burberry trench coat. All we know is, the queue starts here! – Justine Harman

SEE MORE STYLISH STAR ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES

Nov 16 2010 04:15 PM ET

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POLL: Who Will Design Kate Middleton’s Wedding Dress?

Vote on Kate Middleton's Wedding Dress Designer
Mark Stewart

Now that Prince William and Kate Middleton are officially engaged, the fashion world is abuzz with speculation as to who will get to design the future princess’s dress. Will Middleton’s favorite designer, Daniella Issa Helayel, have a shot at creating the gown? British oddsmakers Ladsbroke certainly seem to think so, tapping the Brazilian founder of the Issa fashion label as the 3-to-1 favorite to get the nod. This comes after Middleton, 28, wore a stunning blue dress tailor-made by Helayel to the wedding of William’s friend Harry Meade last month, as well as selecting one of her designs for her first official photos as royal fiancée! Stella McCartney is seen as the next likeliest choice, at odds of 4-to-1, followed by other British designers Julien Macdonald (6-to-1), Vivienne Westwood (8-to-1), John Galliano (14-to-1) and Paul Smith (16-to-1). Grouped together at 20-to-1 odds are Giorgio Armani, Vera Wang and Versace. As is traditional, the broker is also offering some less-than-serious wagering options, dangling 1000-to-1 odds that Middleton will wear “a tracksuit or shellsuit” in front of the billions of admirers on her special day. Tell us: Who do you think will design Kate Middleton’s wedding dress? Vote below! –Tim Nudd

PHOTOS: SEE KATE MIDDLETON’S 10 STYLE ESSENTIALS!

Nov 16 2010 02:30 PM ET

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Taylor Swift Matches Fragrances to Her Men

Taylor Swift Fragrance
Michael Thompson for Allure

Taylor Swift doesn’t look at old photo albums to reminisce about past romances—she dabs on a bit of perfume. “Different smells bring different relationships to mind for me,” the singer-actress tells Allure in its December issue, where she poses for a spread inspired by a ’70s Cacharel fragrance ad. Swift, who will launch her first scent next fall, says she used to keep a big tray of fragrances at her parents’ house, and when she wanted to conjure up the image of a particular guy, she’d wear the scent that reminded her of that time. “I’d put on Abercrombie 8 to remember when I was in ninth grade and had my first boyfriend, because he gave me that,” Swift explains. Then there was the scent that helped boost her popularity. “The coolest girl in school wore Britney Spears Fantasy, and I had to copy her.” On the downside, fragrances can bring back bad memories, as in the case of a certain unnamed ex who wore a particular cologne. “Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue is still a difficult one for me to smell,” reveals Swift. And while she doesn’t reveal her former boyfriends’ signature scents, we can’t help but wonder which colognes some of her famous exes, including Taylor Lautner and John Mayer, wore. To go behind the scenes of Swift’s photo shoot, visit allure.com or pick up the December issue of Allure, on newsstands Nov. 23. –Sara Hammel
SHOP YOUR FAVORITE STARS’ SIGNATURE SCENTS HERE!

Taylor Swift Fragrance
Michael Thompson for Allure

Nov 16 2010 12:48 PM ET

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Prince William Gives Kate Middleton Princess Diana’s Engagement Ring

William Gives Kate Diana's Ring Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters/Landov; A.G. Carrick/Camera Press/Getty

Prince William has honored his late mother by giving his new fiancée Kate Middleton the engagement ring that Prince Charles once gave to Princess Diana. “It’s very special to me. As Kate’s very special to me now, it was right to put the two together,” William said as the newly-engaged couple faced the cameras for the first time today. The ring is an oval sapphire surrounded by diamonds. William proposed to Kate on a safari in Kenya in October, but he first asked her father for permission to propose. Michael Middleton said that he and his wife are “absolutely delighted” and “thrilled” by the engagement announcement.The wedding, which will take place in the spring or summer of 2011, is already being heralded as the biggest wedding since Charles and Diana’s. –Nadine Shabeeb

PHOTOS: HOW THE ROYAL PAIR WENT FROM ENGAGING COEDS TO ENGAGED COUPLE!

Nov 16 2010 11:00 AM ET

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Rihanna Rocks Long Hair: Love It or Hate It?

Rihanna Rocks Long Hair: Love It or Hate It? Ron Asadorian/Splash News Online

No stranger to the stylist’s chair, Rihanna took it one step–and a few inches!–further this week when she debuted new long locks. The singer showed off her super straight, bright red hair extensions in N.Y.C. on Monday during a performance in Times Square, where she wore her dramatic new locks loose. Making it easy for her Big Apple fans to spot her, Rihanna’s new stick straight look adds some serious girlish glam to the usual hard-core diva. And while Rihanna has stayed loyal to her rich red hue since dyeing it for a European performance in June, she is hardly predictable when it comes to her length, switching up her style from an on-trend bob to a wavy shoulder length look. But with all of these beauty changes, we think the “Only Girl (In The World)” may have outdone herself with her latest style. Tell us: What do you think of Rihanna’s new look? Do you love it or hate it? –Jessie Goldberg
VOTE ON OTHER STARS’ HAIR CHANGES IN WHAT’S HER BEST HAIR!

Nov 16 2010 09:00 AM ET

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WATCH: Lauren Bush, Ryan Kwanten and More Star in Gap’s Holiday Campaign

If you could give one thing this holiday season, what would it be? That’s the question Gap asked some of its newest seasonal brand ambassadors including Lauren Bush, True Blood‘s Ryan Kwanten and model-cum-actress Yaya DaCosta. Ranging from the figurative—health, acceptance, exploration and new experiences—to the literal—eleven hugs a day, customized FEED bags and “some dope sneakers,” the newest crop of Gap talent, dressed in the retailer’s stylish blazers and chunky cardigans, embodies the true spirit of the holiday season. Feeling inspired? Check out more videos on Gap’s Facebook Fan page and YouTube channel. Every time you “like” a video, Gap will donate $1 to the featured charity and offer a 30% discount on one regularly priced item. And with on-trend holiday goodies including sequin skirts, faux fur vests and herringbone blazers, you’re going to want to hook up everyone on your shopping list. Tell us: What will you be giving this season? – Justine Harman

Gap Holiday Campaign Courtesy GAP