Meghan Markle embarks on new ‘chapter’ of ‘investing’ in herself with American Riviera Orchard lifestyle brand
Meghan Markle says investing in other woman-owned businesses inspired her to launch her new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard.
In an interview with The New York Times published on Wednesday, the Duchess of Sussex revealed that she began investing in smaller brands during the pandemic and now has five to 10 brands in her portfolio.
The 43-year-old told the Times that she sees each company as complementary to her own lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, which she announced in March.
“Investing in them has helped me prepare for this chapter where I’m investing in myself,” she told the outlet.
He jokingly calls his small-scale investing initiatives “Dolphin Tanks,” based on ABC’s hit series “Shark Tank.”
“It’s a friendly atmosphere,” he said, comparing the cutthroat nature of reality series.
After getting engaged to Prince Harry in 2017, Markle realized she could have an influence on brands simply by wearing their clothes.
Markle wore a $675 midi tote bag from Scottish brand Strathberry during their first royal event as an engaged couple, which led to a 5,000% increase in search traffic for the small company.
It sold out just 11 minutes after Markle was spotted with the bag.
Markle said that moment “changed everything” [she] Then thought about putting together an outfit.”
“At a time when I know I’m being talked about globally, and what I’m wearing or not wearing will be watched, I support designers who I’m very good friends with, and also support smaller, emerging brands that don’t get the attention they should,” she said.
“It’s one of the most powerful things I’ve been able to do, and that is, just wearing an earring.”
The “Suits” alum said she spends “a lot of time just searching on Google” and searching for brands she can connect with — and that’s how she landed on her latest investment, Sesta Collective, a female-led brand that specializes in handwoven bags.
Markle wore the Siesta purse on a star-studded dinner date last year, and as usual, it changed the lives of founders Erin Ryder and Courtney Weinblatt Fasciano.
“We sold more in one day than we ever have before,” Ryder told the outlet, adding that he sent the duchess a thank you card and their working relationship blossomed from there.
Though Markle has invested in everything from instant latte companies to clothing brands, she plans to sell a variety of goods under her American Riviera Orchard label — like tableware, home décor, cosmetics, cookbooks, jarred food products, yoga gear, pet accessories, and more.
She has also finished filming her lifestyle show, which is set to drop on Netflix in early 2025, a source told Page Six last month.
While little is known about the show, including its name, one industry insider said it already looks “gorgeous.”
Markle is expected to share her favourite recipes and take on America’s most famous lifestyle queens – Martha Stewart or Ina Garten – in the highly-anticipated series.
Though her husband is rumoured to be making some cameos as well, his role in the brand is yet to be revealed.
