The Duchess of Cambridge looked gorgeous in green today as she sported a trendy belted dress with golden jewellery to present The Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design to an up and coming British designer.

Kate Middleton, 40, opted for a £785 green dress from  British-Canadian designer Edeline Lee, at an event hosted by the British Fashion Council at the Design Museum in Kensington.

The royal paired pebble-textured dress with an Emmy London clutch and court shoes. She added earrings from Nadia Irena.

She opted for a glamourous make-up look, keeping her brunette hair down and sleek and paired light face make-up with a dramatic smoky eye. 

Her Royal Highness, who lives in Kensington Palace just two miles away from the museum with Prince William and their three children, presented the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design which aims to recognise the cultural and trade role the British design and fashion industry has played throughout the monarch's reign to British Guyanese designer Saul Nash.

A Central Saint Martins and Royal College of Art graduate, Saul -  who designs streetwear - was recognised for his 'innovative take on design,' and 'developing new materials while actively pioneering a new frontier within the industry imbuing sportswear design with an exploration of heritage, performance and technical innovation,' which was well demonstrated with his Woolmark Prize capsule collection.'

Now in its fifth year, the award aims to provide continuing recognition of the cultural and trade role the British design and fashion industry has played, and continues to play, throughout Her Majesty's reign. 

The inaugural award was announced and presented to Richard Quinn in February 2018 when The Queen made her first visit to London Fashion Week.

'This week has felt like a dream' Saul told WWD. 

'To be recognised in this way is an incredible vote of confidence — it would be for any designer, but I feel especially proud as this is a moment of validation for sportswear. 

'The focus of my work has always been to push and open up new possibilities, from tackling preconceived notions of sportswear to attempting to challenge perceptions of gender norms in menswear.

'It's important to weave my own story into my work, keeping it personal and true to myself.

'That remains the ambition — to stay focused on innovation, community and building a conscious practice,' he added.

Caroline Rush, chief executive officer at the British Fashion Council added: 'Nash has a unique way of combining function, tech and tailoring in his design practice, which has resulted in a new take on luxe sportswear. 

'His work explores the relationship between performance and menswear and is often showcased through beautiful and showstopping choreography. 

'We are incredibly proud to recognize Saul and look forward to seeing his brand grow'.

Saul started his eponymous label in 2018 and made his Fashion Week debut with Lulu Kennedy's emerging talent support scheme fashion week in 2020.

His designs are rooted in his Caribbean heritage and upbringing in northeast London.

His AW22 collection was presented with a video in filmed in one of London's first West Indian barbershops in Kensal Rise, where Nash felt he truly connects with his heritage.

It was hand-produced in 2018 by Lucy Price at Bauhinia Studios in Birmingham's famous jewellery quarter.

Kate opted for a £785 dress by British-Canadian designer Edeline Lee at the fashion forward event today. 

Since launching her eponymous label in 2014, Edeline Lee's looks have been worn by the likes of Amanda Holden, Emma Willis, Helen Skelton, Ellie Goulding and Helen Mirren.

The Vancouver-born star graduated from Central St Martin's - one of the most prestigious fashion schools in the world -  in 2008 and Edeline has since made her impact in the world of fashion after starting as an intern for Zac Posen and working for Alexander McQueen and Dior.

Prices at Edeline Lee range from £335 for tops to £800 for dresses and £2,800 for outerwear. 

Speaking to Drapers magazine, she previously revealed: 'As an intern, I was lucky to be given the opportunity by Zac Posen to design a dress that ended up being worn by Britney Spears, Natalie Portman, Naomi Campbell and Jennifer Lopez, and was featured on the covers of magazines. I think that is what led to him offering me my first job.'

She describes her clothes as for the 'future lady' that are 'made with love' in England.

'The 'future lady' is an idea that I made up to encompass the woman that I am designing for. Female identity is in flux in our generation – modern women live hectic lives. 

'We can't automatically subscribe to the identities that have been laid out for us historically,' she told Drapers.

She added that Edward Enninful  is one of her biggest inspirations as he 'has been making so many significant steps towards diversity and equal opportunity in the fashion industry. He's been a true champion for independent and marginalised designers. '

Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-10782301/Kate-Middleton-dons-785-green-dress-coming-London-designer-Edeline-Lee-London.html