Danielle Helayel, Issa London's founder and creative director of 12 years, has left the company, WWD is reporting. The designer of Kate Middleton's headline-making engagement dress (and countless others) is jumping ship at a time of rapid growth for the company (which that dress undoubtedly jumpstarted).
Daniella Helayel and Camilla Al Fayed's spring collection for Issa had a "Garden of Eden" theme. That meant bright color and tropical prints--a reflection of Helayel's native Brazil. Her signature wrapped jersey numbers and pantsuits were done up in loud tropical floral and bird prints--though there were still a few solid floor length jersey dresses--low cut and wrapped at the waist--that we could see on Helayel's most famous fan, Duchess Kate Middleton.
It's come to the point that Royal Wedding Mania might be a diagnosable disease. While I've been trying to remain aloof, day by day it becomes increasingly more difficult to avoid. I was finally sucked in today after the guest list was released, meaning I spent all day picking out outfits for the ten most fashionable attendees (outside the wedding party). Amongst the Golden Ticket holders (it does feel a little like Willy Wonka doesn't it?) are the Beckhams, Elton John, Mario Testino, and Joss Stone, naturally. Click through to see what we hope the Royal Wedding attendees wear, and be warned, our picks are a little (OK, a lot) non-traditional for Westminster Abbey (bare shoulders! gasp!).