All eyes were on Meghan Markle and Prince Harry this week as they announced the birth of their first child, a baby boy named Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. And when it came to releasing the first photos of the new family, we noticed more than just two-day-old Archie’s adorable face.
As is the usual for whenever Meghan steps out, her outfits become a talking point. From that Alexander McQueen suit she wore in February of 2018 to her incredible Givenchy wedding dress, the Duchess of Sussex knows her way around a sartorial moment. Archie’s first photocall was no different.
Opting for local British designer Wales Bonner for the occasion, Meghan wore a simple white trench dress paired with her signature heels. Apart from accommodating her post-baby bump, the dress was nicely roomy for the new mum, who was no doubt exhausted.
However, it’s the designer that’s getting people talking. Ever the champion for women, Meghan’s choice of designer says a lot — especially considering the gravitas of the photocall moment.
Grace Wales Bonner, who was born in Southeast London, is of Jamaican/English heritage, something she draws on in her work. Originally a menswear designer, Wales Bonner has evolved into a seriously chic women’s designer, too. Making everything from tailored separates (her blazers are particularly exquisite) to curated basics, Wales Bonner’s pedigree as a men’s designer gives her pieces a relaxed and casual feel. Meghan’s trench is no different.
In 2016, Wales Bonner won the prestigious LVMH 2016 Young Designer Prize, a coveted award which cemented her space in the British design scene. Dressing celebrities like Jaden Smith and Luka Sabbat, those in the know were picking up Wales Bonner pieces fast.
Wales Bonner’s heritage has always been been central to her design ethos. Championing black culture and history, the designer has always honoured her mixed heritage background — just like Meghan. So while it might just be a simple trench, we’re taking this as a message from Meghan: baby Archie might be a British royal, but he isn’t going to be forgetting his roots any time soon.
WATCH: See the first photos of Archie Harrison
This story originally appeared on marie claire Australia
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