In the past, she may have played it a little too "safe" for some fashionistas’ tastes, but Kate Middleton is fast earning her place as a style icon - and never more so than at the Art for Starlight fundraiser, when her floor-length gunmetal grey ISSA evening gown drew admiring glances from everyone present

She’s regularly voted on to the lists of best-dressed women by style bibles such as Tatler and Vanity Fair, and Hilary Alexander, the revered fashion director of the Daily Tekgraph, believes the pretty Princess waiting is showing signs of becoming a true ambassador for fashion.

"Someone with her profile could give British fashion a boost across the world," Hilary says.

Indeed, Kate’s flawless complexion and flattering yet understated fashion sense have led to numerous websites being set up by young women keen to find out more about the 27-year-old’s grooming secrets.

So here, with a little help from those in the know, we reveal some of the top tips in Kate’s little black book of style.

Dress Kate’s decision to wear Issa to the Starlight fundraiser continues a long association with the designer. It was ISSA that Kate chose for the wedding of Peter Phillips to Autumn Kelly last year, as featured exclusively in HELLO!, and she is regularly photographed at society functions in the flattering designs.

"Kate’s style is classic and elegant. She always looks beautiful and refined in the pieces she chooses," the label’s Brazilian creator Daniella Issa Helayel tells in an interview to Hello . Declaring herself to be "flattered" that the partner of Prince William steps out in her designs, Daniella tells us she thought Kate looked "especially gorgeous" in the corsetpanelled dress she wore at the charity event.

The grey crepe jersey gown, from the designer’s current autumn/winter collection, is available to buy at £839, either direct from ISSA or from a shop called Coco which - fittingly for the woman tipped to marry our future King - is based in Windsor.

"Seeing young, beautiful women wearing ISSA is always such a pleasure for me," says Daniella, who also dressed Kate’s sister Pippa for the occasion, with the younger sibling opting for a black and white sequin dress which cost more than Kate’s, at £1,500.

Hair The gleaming chestnut locks of Prince William’s English rose are kept in trim by stylist to the stars Richard Ward.

There is usually a six-week waiting list to book in with Richard at his Chelsea salon, but because of Kate’s credentials and the fact she is a "no fuss" client, they can usually squeeze her in on the day if necessary.

"It’s very much a trim with Kate," says a source. "She’ll occasionally have a bit of colour, just to give her hair a ‘lift’ or some depth, but it’s always done very naturally, so it’s more of a sun-kissed finish.

"Kate’s hair is one of her best features - she has quite fine hair but lots of it - and the fact that she doesn’t experiment with it too much is the secret of her success.

"Even if she’s going somewhere formal, such as a society wedding, she doesn’t like it to look too ‘done’. She knows what suits her and at the end of the day, she’s a young girl, so she wouldn’t want anything too mature."

And Kate’s not the only Middleton whose tresses are tended by Richard: we’re reliably informed that sister Pippa, mum Carole and brother James also visit the salon.

Jewellery The elegant bracelet that twinkled on Kate’s slender wrist at the Starlight gala was the Swarovski Daisy Chain.

The previous night, she had been spotted wearing what has been referred to as a rather flashy "Wag" watch, on a date to the cinema with her beloved Prince, who was rumoured to have treated his lady to the blingy timepiece.

Kate is allergic to nickel and can only wear gold or silver. A favourite jeweller is Zimbabwe-based silversmith Patrick Mavros, whose distinctive belt buckles Prince William and Prince Harry are said to be fans of.

Make-up A natural young beauty like Kate doesn’t need to pile it on with a trowel and largely, she prefers to do her own. But in 2006 she was said to have employed the services of top international make-up artist Komal Singh, who inspired her to experiment with cheek-defining bronzers and smoky charcoal eyeshadows.

Bags In the early days it was Longchamp. By the spring of 2007, Kate was sporting a £1,000 Burberry Manor bag. And on holiday in Mustique a few years back she was spotted with a green leather bag by Bric’s - stylish luggage for those who don’t want anything as obvious as Mulberry or Louis Vuitton.

Elegant Kate will no doubt continue to win plaudits from fashion pundits. And perhaps one day they’ll even be speculating on which lucky designer she’ll choose to wear as she walks down the aisle on the arm of her Prince.