How the ‘Meghan Effect’ is taking over the fashion world
She’s only been engaged three months but the ‘Meghan Effect’ is gaining momentum as fans the world over rush to snap up whatever the soon-to-be royal wears.
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She’s only been engaged three months but the Meghan effect is gaining momentum as fans the world over snap up whatever the soon-to-be royal wears.
Her love of tailoring with a twist resonates with fashion followers and her influence looks set to eclipse even that of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. This Wednesday marks her first 100 days of style statements: Here are her hits so far:
November 27
Engagement announcement: Bare to be different
When the couple made it official, the Suits star chose a $1000 white LINE wrap coat, over an $870 P.A.R.O.S.H. green dress and $900 Aquazzura heels with (revolutionary for royals) bare legs. The coat sold out in minutes and crashed the label’s website, after which they re-issued it as The Meghan. The dress also sold out in under an hour, much to the Italian label’s surprise. Designer Paolo Rossello said it was “a dream” to see Meghan in the frock.
Meghan’s engagement ring, a diamond from Botswana surrounded by two more from Diana, Princess of Wales’s collection was made by Cleave and Company. The jewellers were shocked by the volume of enquiries they received but bad luck if you want one. “We’re not going to be making replicas of it,” said director Stephen Connelly.
December 1
First royal engagement: Bags the limelight
A few days later the couple made their first official engagement in Nottingham. Unusually for a royal, Meghan carried a handbag and the $525 Strathberry bag sold out in six minutes, with 1000 people on the waiting list. One enterprising person put theirs on eBay for $3000. Meghan’s $1000 navy coat by Canadian brand Mackage also sold out online in hours, as did her $1000 Joseph skirt and $400 KG By Kurt Geiger over the knee boots. “Her wearing our coat is amazing. It’s really a global reach,” said Mackage designer Elisa Dahan.
December 21
Official engagement photos: Fairytale gown
Meghan proved she was in a different league to the portraits of the past, with the stunning set of images by photographer Alexi Lubomirski. She also made the most of her fairy tale moment with a $100,000 couture gown by Ralph & Russo, a British-based label by Australians Tamara Ralph and Michael Russo. The brand is tipped to be a contender for the wedding dress. Website meghansmirror.com say they see surges of up to 1000 per cent after she appears. “Women are fascinated by not only Meghan’s style, but her successful career and humanitarian work,” says editorial director Amanda Dishaw. “They see in her the reflection they would like to look back at them in the mirror.”
December 25
Christmas Day: Suited and booted at Sandringham
Christmas saw Meghan’s debut at Sandringham and the beaming bride-to-be chose a $1700 camel coat by Canadian brand Sentaler that sold out in hours and saw them ship coats all over the globe. Such was the interest they showed at London Fashion Week last month for the first time. Her $380 Club Monaco burgundy velvet dress was a smash hit, teamed with a custom-made Philip Treacy hat, $1100 Stuart Weitzman over the knee tan boots and $2000 Chloe cross-body bag. Luckily for fans, one item they could afford was her $31 leather gloves from Marks and Spencer.
January 9
Brixton charity visit: The budget princess
Thankfully Meghan continued her budget picks with an $80 Marks and Spencer sweater, which sold out the same day, teamed with a $60 Jigsaw scarf which also sold out but is being re-issued. Her $1000 Smythe coat has a waiting list and $500 Sarah Flint shoes proved so popular, the label now lists them under a “Meghan’s favourites” menu on their site. She teamed them with $800 Burberry pants.
January 18
Cardiff tour: Style is in the jeans
A week later Meghan’s visit to Cardiff saw her wear $300 jeans by Welsh brand Hiut, who were besieged by orders. Her $2400 Stella McCartney coat sold out as did her $534 bag by DeMellier London and $640 Theory jacket top. She finished the look with $1000 Tabitha Simmons black velvet boots.
February 1
Endeavour Funds Awards: Meghan wears the pants
By now firmly in her style stride, Meghan appeared in a $3200 cutting-edge Alexander McQueen dinner suit, $355 silk crepe de chine bodysuit from Tuxed, $900 Manolo Blahnik heels and a $2300 Prada clutch. The item most people could afford — the bodysuit — now has a waiting list until May.
February 13
Edinburgh trip: Flare for fashion
For her Scottish visit, Meghan went traditional in a $3500 tartan Burberry coat and $750 cross-body bag by Strathberry – which again sold out in 11 minutes. Her cool Veronica Beard $500 flares also got the stamp of approval. “Her trouser selections are very popular,” says Amanda Dishaw. “Meghan is a girl who prefers to wear a great pair of trousers versus a skirt and that makes her so much more of a relatable fashion icon than … one might expect from a member of the Royal Family.”
February 28
Royal Foundation Forum: It’s a wrap
On Wednesday Meghan made a surprise appearance alongside Prince Harry, Prince William and Catherine at a Royal Foundation event, wearing a $2500 sleeveless Jason Wu wrap dress, bare legs and $900 black ankle strap Aquazzura heels, despite the snowy conditions in London. Despite the price tag, the satin dress sold out on netaporter.com within hours.
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