Last week, new Prime Minister Andy Burnham held a meeting with his cabinet, and we caught a glimpse of Louise Haigh, who has secured the role of the First Secretary of State.
The Sheffield-born politician has a keen interest in fashion, and this was displayed as she was pictured wearing an iconic, past-season high-street dress from L.K.Bennett.
© Lee ThomasThe 38-year-old donned the 'Lasa' blue poppy-print dress. The slightly body-conscious design has a silhouette-skimming cut and is instantly recognisable due to the smattering of blue poppies etched over the torso. The print cascades all over the white fabric and is quite the eye-catching piece. The square neckline and elbow-length sleeves make for a classic shape.
This dress is a past-season buy; it was released in 2014, so it's clear Louise has been keeping the style in her wardrobe for many years. The politician choosing to wear an ensemble from over twelve years ago nods to the art of practising a sustainable fashion ethos during economic scrutiny.
Worn by Princess Kate
This particular frock was made famous by the Princess of Wales, who famously donned the style during the royal tour of Australia in 2014. After landing at the Royal Australian Air Force base in Brisbane, many remarked on how polished and poised Kate looked in the style, particularly as she accessorised the £245 dress with navy blue heels and a matching resplendent clutch bag.
© Getty ImagesPrince William's wife loved it so much that she donned it just two years later.
© WireImageDuring a visit to Luton, she brought back the standout white and blue number, swapping out her blue clutch bag for a beige one, and donning nude heels instead of navy. These small tweaks were mesmerising; the dress looked completely different.
The decline of L.K.Bennett
L.K.Bennett was founded in the 1990s by Linda Bennett, who initially opened a single boutique in Wimbledon. The brand evolved, and at one point, there were 200 outlets across the UK.
© GettyThe Princess of Wales put the brand firmly on the map during her early years as a working royal, stepping out in a plethora of their designs.
© Getty ImagesMs Bennett sold the business for an estimated £100 million in 2008. In 2019, after administration threats, it was purchased by Byland UK. Unfortunately, it was announced in April 2026 that the much-loved business would close all its stores imminently. The website is no longer taking orders after a huge cut-price sale, which saw many items have over eighty per cent off their original price tag.
