All the African designers Meghan Markle wore on her 2019 royal tour
Even though Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s 2019 royal tour of Africa has officially come to a close, for those chosen designers that Markle elected to wear during her time there, momentum is only just beginning.
Like the Kate Effect, fans watch with bated breath to see what Markle will wear to each and every appearance, often flocking to buy her wares only to find that they are sold out. For well-established luxury houses and up-and-coming designers alike, a royal stamp of approval can quickly pluck any fledgling fashion designer from obscurity and into the spotlight, and set you up for future success for years to come.
And, while Markle opted to recycle a number of ensembles she had already worn before (see her Veronica Beard button-down midi dress; her striped maxi dress by Australian designer Martin Grant), the royal did seize the occasion of being in Africa to showcase the best and brightest fashion talents working in the industry today.
Below, Vogue rounds up four of the fashion and jewellery designers Markle personally elected to represent while on her royal tour. Get to know each and emulate her style with ease.
Nina Bosch
To round out her Martin Grant striped maxi dress, Markle accented her ensemble with a pair of earrings from African jeweller Nina Bosch. Born into a family of ceramicists, Nina Bosch designs playful earrings and necklaces that toy with geometric shapes and dual textures, using materials like porcelain and sterling silver. For her outing at a reception for young people, community and civil society leaders at the Residence of the British High Commissioner on September 24, Markle wore a pair of leaf-inspired earrings from the brand.
Image credit: instagram.com/nina_bosch_porcelain
Mayamiko
For day one of her royal tour, Markle took to the streets of South Africa in Malawi-based brand Mayamiko. A made-to-order, waste conscious, locally made label which works exclusively with female traders, Mayamiko prides itself on its printed dresses, blouses and pants that appeal year-round. Working out of a solar powered workshop out of Lilongwe, the brand experiments with eco-friendly dyes (like avocado peels and hibiscus flowers) and produces its collections in small quantities to control its environmental impact. Almost instantaneously, once Markle stepped out in the brand’s Dalitso maxi wrap dress in black and white, it sold out and is yet to be restocked.
Image credit: Getty Images
Tshepo the Jean Maker
Though she did not wear a pair of Tshepo the Jean Maker’s jeans herself, Markle was gifted a pair of jeans she commissioned for her four-month-old son, Archie. Founded in 2015 by Tshepo Mohlala, the Johannesburg-based denim brand was born out of the designer’s fascination with his aunt’s style. Inspired by her aesthetic, Mohlala quit filmmaking to study fashion design, going on to found his eponymous denim company that specialises in custom denim that will carry you through from day to night.
Image credit: Getty Images
Hannah Lavery
To close out the final day of the 2019 royal tour, Markle selected a white Tencel shirt dress from Cape Town-founded label Hannah Lavery. A focus on classic-yet-contemporary basics in neutral colours like black, white and grey underpins the practical-yet-stylish flat shoes, trousers, blouses and dresses that make up the Hannah Lavery brand. A female-led team embraces a slow fashion approach, with a focus on locally made, elevated staples for the every woman.
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Image credit: Getty Images