Kate Middleton?s White Lace Zimmermann Dress: How it Felt For the Designer

When I got to sneak backstage after Friday's Zimmermann show to talk to the designer, you know what I had on my must-ask-about list: Kate Middleton. The duchess put the Australian label firmly on the map when she wore its crisp white eyelet dress Down Under last April.

"That definitely would have been one of the biggest things that's happened to us in 20 years of business," designer Nicky Zimmermann told me with a grin. "It affected our parents, our family. Everybody loved it! If you're Australian, British royalty is a big deal and it meant a lot to a lot of people. She's the epitome of a sophisticated, beautiful young woman, and we are massive fans."

Nicky was on holiday with her fam when Kate decided to wear the frock (typically designers and brands have no idea that a major celeb is going to wear a piece until they're out and being photographed).

"I was walking through caves with my children with no communication," she said when I asked when and where she found out. "I got back to the house and every person that I was with, their phones were going berserk. We flipped on the news and 'Kate Middleton Wears Zimmermann on Manly Beach' was the title."

Ahh! I can't even imagine how thrilling that moment must have been.

If you're wondering what Kate could wear from the just-debuted fall collection, I'm one step ahead of you.