How Kate Middleton May Have Ruined LK Bennett After Wearing Brand's Clothes

Kate Middleton may have spelled the downfall of fashion brand LK Bennett after being photographed wearing the label's clothes, according to a branding expert.

LK Bennett's founder reportedly told the company's employees that it is "heading for administration," Daily Mail has learned. About 500 members of the staff of one of Middleton's favorite high street brands could lose their jobs.

While going into administration could also be a positive thing for the company in the long run, this could also "mark the beginning of the end of your business," according to Real Business Rescue UK. Currently, Daily Mail confirmed that LK Bennett has sought the help of Ernst & Young to find the "best way through" the upcoming "difficult and unstable times."

Linda Bennett, the brand's founder, sent an email to her employees today announcing the company's intention to file for administration. In the message, she expressed her gratitude to the staff for their "hard work and dedication," adding that she didn't regret returning to LK Bennett in 2017 to try and "reinvigorate" the brand.

Commentators put the blame for the company's struggles on the expensive price tags of their apparel and their failure to compete with rivals which offer same or next-day delivery services.

This news comes after LK Bennett reported a £5.9 million ($7,793,917) loss for 2016-2017. Profit for the previous 12 months only amounted to £100,000 ($132,100).

LK Bennett customers claimed that the label jacked up their prices after Middleton was photographed wearing their clothes multiple times since she got engaged with Prince William. Some have criticized the brand for the cost of their clothing, saying "that not many people have £300 ($396) spare to buy one dress."

Claire Shields, a branding expert, explained to Femail that celebrity endorsement such as what Middleton did for LK Bennett could bring "as many problems as benefits."

"Having your high street label worn in public by one of the world's most photographed women can prove to be a nightmare if you're not forewarned, which is usually the case with Kate Middleton," she said. "The problem for labels with Kate in particular, is that she chooses staple wardrobe items that are typically priced at the higher end for high street retailers and wears them more than once."

"This means that typically, her fashion followers will only purchase one item per season, rather than buying into the brand and shopping with them all year long," she added.