Michelle Obama hails Kate, Britain's First Lady of style... and her £175 dress that is selling out across the country

It may be a new hand at the fashion game, but the Duchess of Cambridge has won the battle of First Ladies in another great dress street yesterday.

Kate Reiss £ 175 dress caused such a frenzy after she appeared to meet Barack and Michelle Obama at Buckingham Palace that the retailer's Web site crashed.

She eclipsed the first lady Mrs. Obama and Samantha Cameron - who both opted for designer labels - in a bandage style dress Shola.

Reiss stores across the country were selling last night and an assistant to the Kensington High Street store said 20 dresses have been sold online in the two-minute appearance of Kate. A spokesman for the company described as "Shola-mania."

Emerging fashion icon Kate has resolutely stuck to off-to-wear outfits and wore Reiss several occasions, notably for his portrayal of engagement.

David Reiss, founder and CEO of the company, told the Daily Mail: "We are delighted that Kate continues to be a client of Reiss, and chose one of our dresses for an important occasion."

His quiet approach is in sharp contrast with Mrs. Obama, who wore two outfits designer - the first in a patterned dress prom style by Barbara Tfank, worth at least £ 1400, and the second by Roksanda Ilincic, that it was to visit Downing Street at a cost of £ 815.

Ms. Cameron fairly wooded home-grown talent in the form of an embroidered silk dress by Peter Pilotto - currently on sale at Harvey Nichols to 2.360 pounds, but borrowed for the occasion to promote British designer.

The fly only downside was Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who has committed something of a misstep arrived for the official lunch at Buckingham Palace wearing unflattering three quarter length trousers.

Although there is no official dress code, women must wear a skirt or dress smart.