British designer Alice Temperley, whose dresses have been worn by Kate and her sister Pippa, says the Duchess of Cambridge is helping the rag trade to defy the recession.

"She's been brilliant for British fashion and great for the whole economy," says Alice Temperley, whose dresses have been worn by Kate and her sister, Pippa Middleton. "There is no one else who has an effect like her. It has really brought British fashion to the forefront again."

Speaking to The Telegraph at the launch of her Somerset by Temperley collection at John Lewis, the designer said the secret of Kate's success is her mixing of price ranges.

"She is a breath of fresh air and has encouraged people to experiment and combine high fashion with high-street fashion. She is a really nice girl as well."

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