Meghan Markle was known for her style long before she became a royal, but when she married Prince Harry and became the Duchess of Sussex, the obsession with all things Meghan – and ‘The Meghan Effect’ – has seriously amped up.
She knows that what she wears has the power to make headlines and reach the masses – and with it send a strong message (something Melania Trump would be wise to think about). Her style, along with every move she makes, is dissected and analysed for better or worse, which is why every sartorial choice she makes must be meticulously planned out in terms of etiquette, dress codes and values.
And while some royal commentators might say the newest royal has made a few slip ups, namely the off-the-shoulder gown at the Trooping the Colour, or forgetting to wear a name-tag at Royal Ascot – it seems there is one very carefully planned out detail that she hasn’t overlooked – and it is very much in line with her core values.
That is, every outfit she has worn, since the royal wedding on May 19, has been by a female designer, or female-led fashion house.
Both of Meghan’s royal wedding dresses were designed by women, the Givenchy dress she wore during the ceremony was designed by Clare Waight-Keller who became the iconic French fashion house’s first-ever female creative director.
And the Stella McCartney dress which she wore to her reception was designed by McCartney who founded her eponymous label – and is also an environmental activist, a cause also close to Meghan’s (and hubby Harry’s) heart.
The blush pink Flavia Silk-Crepe Pencil Dress that she wore to Prince Charles’ 70th birthday, her first official royal engagement, was from one of sister-in-law Kate’s favourite British label’s, Goat. Goat was founded by Jane Lewis in 2001.
For her first appearance on the iconic Buckingham Palace balcony at the Trooping The Colour parade, Meghan chose a custom pink off-the-shoulder two-piece ensemble by Carolina Herrera. Herrera founded her eponymous label in 1981 and has become a go-to designer for powerful women from Hollywood stars to a number of First Ladies, including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Michelle Obama.
While not an official royal engagement, when Meghan opted for Oscar de la Renta to attend the wedding of Prince Harry’s cousin, Celia McCorquodale, it was another well-planned choice. Laura Kim took on the role of co-creative director at the iconic fashion house alongside Fernando Garcia in 2017.
Meghan made history when she was invited by the Queen to accompany her on her personal train – an honour usually reserved for senior royals. For her big day out with the queen Meghan knew her outfit needed to act as the perfect accompaniment to the monarch’s, and turned to her wedding designer, Clare Waight-Keller for Givenchy, for the occasion. The light beige pencil dress with a caped top was the perfect compliment to the Queen’s bold green ensemble.
For her Royal Ascot debut, Meghan proved that when you’re on to a good thing, stick with it. Turning once more to Waight-Keller and Givenchy for this white embroidered shirt dress cinched in at the waist with black belt.
Time will tell if The Duchess sticks with the feminist trend for future royal engagements, we for one, hope she does.
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