When it comes to designer clothing, if the world's fashionistas had not heard of Issa London before Kate Middleton's engagement, it is likely that they certainly do now.
As princess-to-be Kate Middleton’s favored label, designer Daniella " Issa" Helayel found one of her silk jersey dresses suddenly beamed across the globe at the announcement of the royal engagement of Kate Middleton and Prince William.
Kate has been a firm fan of the Issa London label for 5 years. She has become an unauthorized ambassador for the brand and Issa has recently started to create bespoke dresses just for her. The Issa label has now become an integral part of Kate Middleton's style. As this future Queen of England is likely to be the next royal fashion icon, this is a great leg up on the fashion ladder for a label who is still in its first decade.
The royal blue Issa wrap dress, priced at around £395 ($535 or€470) is set to become a piece of fashion history. Already designer-inspired budget-priced high street versions have reached the shops, starting from as little as £16. The long-sleeved Issa dress is timeless in its jersey silk, and once it hit the headlines on November 15th, 2010, sold out in hours.
The Issa London Label
Issa is based in London’s fashionable Chelsea. In 2001 Issa London started as a little-known brand with Brazilian-born Daniella Issa Helayel at the helm. The designer first began as a fashion consultant and buyer and then went on to design her versatile silk jersey dresses and reguarly shows at London Fashion Week. Her first collection was picked up by Daslu in Brazil and in her second year by Maria Luisa in Paris. By her third year in 2003, her designs were selling in Barney’s New York.
Where to Buy Issa
Now Issa London can be bought all over the world and are available in London at Harrods, Matches and Harvey Nichols. North American stockists include Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom. A comprehensive list of Issa stockists is listed on the label's website. Upmarket online store Net-a-Porter also stocks the label, including the engagement dress. Although currently sold out, the site promises more stock soon, and fashionistas can register to receive updates on availability of this sought-after dress.
Issa Dresses — Versatile and Timeless
Helayel's trademark is easy-to-wear dresses but with a classic sex appeal. Issa collections run the gamut of stylishly sexy day dresses to elegant halterneck maxis to cheeky cocktail gowns. Whether in single-color blocks or a flamboyant print the silk jersey dresses have a wow factor. The pieces are priced from around £350 up to £2,000, but these timeless designs transcend seasons and will pass muster for decades to come.
The label’s biggest allure is that it appeals to women of all ages. Whether mother or daughter, eighteen or eighty the flattering jersey silk hides lumps and bumps and can make any lady feel feminine. Issa London is one of those labels which will carry a woman from boardroom to bedroom or desk to dinner. It is the fashion equivalent of the “little black dress”, according to Kate Meluish of the UK's Daily Mail.
Issa for Fall Winter 2010/2011
Issa’s latest collection for autumn winter 2010/2011 includes not only the sought-after Kate Middleton blue wrap dress but elegant halterneck maxis, bustier dresses and asymmetric gowns, offered in single color-blocks and kaleidoscope prints. There is also a sleek light gray rabbit hooded jacket, a cold-weather must-have.
Issa's Celebrity Clients
Helayel’s celebrity clients include Madonna, Naomi Campbell, Jennifer Lopez, Kelly Osbourne, Scarlett Johansson, Keira Knightly and Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson’s daughters Princess Beatrice and Eugiene. Alongside her trademark silk jersey dresses Issa has branched out into bespoke bridalwear. One of the designer's most recent creations was the wedding dress of Jessica Simon, daughter of Peter Simon, the multi-millionaire business tycoon and Monsoon and Accessorize founder.
Consequently Daniella Helayel is a hot contender to design the Kate Middleton wedding dress. She is on the short-list of favorites that also includes Phillipa Lepley and Princess Diana's wedding dress designer, Elizabeth Emanuel.
Sources:
- Melhuish, Kate. “Issa is a winner! Kate Middleton chose London label Issa for her big day last week. This diehard fan knows exactly why,” Daily Mail, November 22nd, 2010.
- Abraham, Tamara. "Kate Middleton's favoutire designer has become a fashion must-have." Daily Mail, November 22nd 2010.
Gill Hart - Gill Hart is a fashion and image professional who specializes in women's fashion over 50.
