Kate Middleton's Impact On New York Fashion Week

In today's New York Times, various industry personalities -- Rachel Zoe, Jason Wu, Tommy Hilfiger, Anna Wintour -- sound off on Kate Middleton's ladylike influence on fashion.

The Times observes that Duchess Catherine's streamlined ensembles resonate with a younger set of women who "aspire to a classically patrician look but who have, until recently, had few credible role models."

Good point--although we have to note that there are still some polished starlets out there, such as Emma Watson and Keira Knightley.

Ed Burstell, Liberty of London's managing director, tells the Times he expects to see a "Kate effect" at New York Fashion Week.

Catherine is, in Mr. Burstell's term, "the anti-Kardashian," a bracing antithesis to the strident style and manner of many Hollywood celebrities, who "look so phony by comparison," he said, "with their paid endorsements and brand-ambassador deals."

We have to say, we also admire Kate's flawless decorum when making public appearances. Always the picture of refinement, the Duchess is rarely seen making discourteous gestures, such as, you know, yawning.

But apparently that's an unfortunate habit to which Kim Kardashian is prone. In another Times story, sister Kourtney tells the paper that Kim "yawns at everything. She's just a yawner."

Read more about Duchess Catherine's impact on designers' spring collections here.