Fashion star: Inside Meghan Markle’s wardrobe: The Duchess’ favoured sustainable labels

Tuesday, February 5, 2019

Inside Meghan Markle’s wardrobe: The Duchess’ favoured sustainable labels

If there’s one message Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, is sending out with her wardrobe, it’s the importance of sustainable fashion. The royal has regularly supported eco-conscious brands since marrying Prince Harry last year, including: Stella McCartney, who has long been known for her ethical approach to fashion; Gabriela Hearst, whose eponymous label combines luxury with a low environmental impact; and lesser-known designers such as Outland Denim, Rothy’s and Kimai. Here, Vogue takes a look at the sustainable brands the actress and activist has worn since becoming a fully-fledged member of the royal family.

Gabriela Hearst

Meghan Markle on a visit to Sussex. Image: Rex Features

Meghan Markle is one of Gabriela Hearst’s most famous fans, first sporting the emerald Demi satin tote during a visit to Sussex last October. She opted for the Nina bag (not for the first time) during a visit to Birkenhead this January, which happily coincided with the week that Hearst launched an exclusive collection with Matches Fashion, and LVMH announced a minority investment in the brand. Founded in 2015, Hearst’s whole ethos is about producing “luxury with a conscience”—with leather only cut to supply demand, a priority of using sustainable materials and reducing waste and plastic in the brand’s design processes.

Veja

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Sydney during the Invictus Games Sydney 2018. Image: Getty

French trainer brand Veja has achieved cult status since launching in 2004, with its mission to offer consumers full transparency when it comes to its supply chain. The Duchess of Sussex wore the brand’s Esplar trainers, named after a Brazilian NGO that supports cotton farmers, while watching a sailing event during the Invictus Games in Sydney in October 2018.

Outland Denim

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at Dubbo Airport, Australia. Image: Getty

The so-called “Meghan-effect” came into full force after the Duchess wore Outland Denim’s high-rise Harriet jeans not just once, but five times, during her first overseas tour last year. The Australian brand—which uses ethically sourced materials and employs women in Cambodia who are at risk of falling into poverty—revealed it was able to hire 46 more seamstresses after sales grew by 640 per cent following the royal endorsement.

Kimai

Meghan Markle in London. Image: Getty

Lab-grown diamonds are changing the face of the jewellery industry, offering a more sustainable alternative to traditionally-mined stones. And the Duchess is an early adopter, wearing British brand Kimai’s now sold-out Felicity earrings—featuring synthetic diamonds set in ethically-sourced gold—while visiting the Smart Works charity in London in January 2019.

Maggie Marilyn

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in New Zealand. Image: Getty

Keen to support local designers during her first royal tour, the Markle wore a white tuxedo dress by sustainable New Zealand-based brand Maggie Marilyn at a reception in Wellington. Founded by young designer Maggie Hewitt in 2016, the brand makes a point of manufacturing all its clothes in factories in New Zealand, paying workers a living wage, and using environmentally-friendly fabrics.

Rothy’s

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at South Melbourne Beach. Image: Getty

Rarely seen without her towering stilettos, the Duchess made an eco-friendly statement by wearing a pair of flats by Rothy’s, established in 2016, while visiting a Melbourne beach in October 2018. The upper layer of the Point flat is made entirely from recycled plastic bottles, while the insoles are made from foam that’s been re-fashioned from old shoes.

Bar Jewellery

Meghan Markle in Birkenhead. Image: Getty

The Duchess of Sussex showcased the gold-plated Wide Ripple Bracelet by up-and-coming British brand Bar Jewellery—which uses recycled metal for its pieces—while visiting Birkenhead in January 2019. Founded by designer Sophie Mckay (who previously worked for luxury brands including Tom Ford and Versace), Bar’s ethos focuses on ethical and sustainable practices and the collection is handcrafted in London.

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