Kate Middleton Gets A Head Start On One Of AW21’s Biggest Trends At The No Time To Die Premiere

Have we ever needed a party season more than we do this year? No. Is it too soon to whip out the sparkle already? Also, no. And if you’re in any doubt, look to Kate Middleton – or HRH the Duchess of Dazzle – who glittered in gold at the No Time To Die premiere, the latest instalment of the (much delayed) James Bond franchise.

On the red carpet at the Royal Albert Hall, Middleton turned to one of her favourite designers, Jenny Packham in a caped gown embellished with gold sequins. She wasn’t the only one to go big on glitz however (the A-list has clearly missed dressing up). Middleton was joined by Naomie Harris, who opted for winter white shimmer by Michael Kors, Lea Seydoux, who chose a caped style with lashings of silver from Louis Vuitton, while Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, turned to an effervescent ice blue dress.

Not ready to go all in? Never fear, there is a more minimal way to take on shimmer and sparkle. See Phoebe Waller-Bridge in a plunging black jumpsuit (and some exemplary shoulder-robing) by Azzaro or Billie Eilish in a tomboyish take, courtesy of glistening black co-ords. Ana de Armas – who stars in the film – wore a thigh-slit black dress complete with chunky metallic chain straps.

Also making an appearance this evening was new fashion darling Emma Raducanu, reunited with Kate after their meeting on a tennis court last week. She proved why the style set have fallen head over heels for her in draped Grecian-style gown from Dior’s Cruise 2022 collection. It might have been white and silver, but this was a gold-standard outing from the US Open tennis champion. Lashana Lynch, meanwhile, looked stupendous in corseted Vivienne Westwood. The gown took on a dramatic colour palette of yellow and black - the perfect combination against the red carpet.

While we always love to see the glitterati, well, glitter – this time there are lessons to be learned for real life. Looks with major zhush and serious zing are big news for AW21, the ultimate antidote to dreary lockdown looks, as seen everywhere from Burberry to Balenciaga to Balmain. Don’t want to go full throttle like K-Mid (although, if you do, go forth with gusto like the world’s flashbulbs are pointing at you and only you!)? Then simply opt for accents, like Victoria Beckham’s glittery knee-high boots or Saint Laurent’s molten vest – what better way to spruce up sweatpants if you really won’t be parted from them? Alternatively, try a high/low mix; utilitarian bombers were thrown over Louis Vuitton's razzle dazzle mini dresses, while at Michael Kors floor-sweeping camel coats were draped over Oscar-worthy gowns.

No Time to Die? There's No Time to Waste, now is your time to shine once more. Just remember the golden rule. This season, when it comes to sparkle, there’s no such thing as ‘too much’.