The Duchess of Sussex has shared what may be her most revealing social media post since reviving her Instagram account after stepping back from royal duties. The image appears to offer a glimpse inside her Montecito wardrobe.
Dressed in a lilac coat, Meghan Markle takes a full-length mirror selfie with her daughter Lilibet, four, crouching at her feet. The caption reads 'Mama's little helper,' accompanied by a purple heart emoji.
What Is Meghan Trying to Convey?
Nothing Meghan does on her highly curated Instagram feed, which boasts 4.5 million followers, is casual or accidental. This post must carry meaning. Is she aiming to appear relatable or likeable, especially after recently claiming to be 'the most trolled person in the entire world'? Likely not, as she would then be in pyjamas and pulling a face, rather than pursing her lips while showcasing labels like Armani, Manolo Blahnik, and Christian Dior.
Ignore for a moment the similarity between the Armani jacket hanging on the right of the image and the one she wore in Geneva yesterday at the inauguration of the Lost Screen memorial for children who lost their lives due to harm suffered on social media.
A Fashion Brand on the Horizon?
Speculation points to Meghan branching into fashion with her brand, As Ever. Her lifestyle company is the only account she follows on Instagram. 'Fashion is something I will explore at a later date,' she said in an interview last year. 'Because I do think that's an interesting space for me.'
That date may be approaching. Last week, eagle-eyed fans spotted a new sizing chart for T-shirts on her brand's website, for both adults and kids, though it was quickly deleted. Was it a tease or a glitch? The Duchess' spokesman declined to comment.
What Could the Collection Include?
If Meghan expands from kitchen products and pricey jams into a garment collection under As Ever, what might she offer? Tights are unlikely, as she previously expressed dislike for wearing them as a working royal, branding the custom 'inauthentic.' Stiletto shoes might feature: two nearly identical pairs of black heels by different designers sit in the foreground next to the Armani jacket, with several beige lookalikes in the background.
Speaking of beige, a colour she favoured on her show With Love, Meghan (though impractical for cooking), could she be moving away from neutrals? Her perfectly colour-coded rack includes blue, green, red, and even orange. She has mentioned feeling the need to avoid bright hues while in the Royal Family to avoid clashing with 'more senior members.' Since then, she hasn't exactly become a walking rainbow, but she may still be undergoing a metamorphosis.
Other Clues and Surprises
Beyond these hints, it's hard to predict what she might create. The Duchess is undeniably stylish, so her actual wardrobe—walnut-hued with chintzy metal handles—was somewhat surprising in its ordinariness, though undoubtedly expensive. Her own fashion line would likely be similarly high-end.
And what about the old Rolodex on her cabinet? It evokes The Devil Wears Prada, a metaphor for her Anna Wintour-like orbit of powerful fashion contacts, or perhaps her affirmations in signature calligraphy. We'll have to wait and see. Meghan, as ever, is full of surprises.
