Inside the launch of Meghan Markle's fashion collection with Smart Works

When the Duchess of Sussex came on stage this afternoon to launch her capsule wardrobe collection with the Smart Works charity, it was clear that she was in her element. Setting up on either side of the podium in front of a guest audience on the rooftop terrace of John Lewis Department Store, Oxford Street, London, Meghan spoke for almost seven minutes (without notes) of her latest project.

"When I came to the UK, it was extremely important for me to be able to connect with people on the ground who are doing very important work. One of the places I went to early was Smart Works, "she said. that it was through her repeated visits to the organization that she began to wonder how she could best help.

These questions ultimately culminated in today's launch of Smart Set, the capsule collection of five essential wardrobe products, which will be sold in stores and online. For each item purchased, one will also be donated to the Smart Works charity. It's Meghan who had the idea of ​​the collection after noticing that donations to the organization – which help women succeed in job interviews by helping them with new outfits – were not always good style or the right size.

"There was a backing of about 40 or 50 lilac blazers," recalls Meghan today smiling. "Now, do not get me wrong, it's a great blazer. And I'm sure for someone, that's exactly what she wants to wear. But for most women, when you go out there and want to have a job interview, you want to feel at your best and you want to be confident, you want to wear the clothes that make you feel like that . "

Unexpectedly, the Duchess had no trouble persuading retail heavyweights Marks & Spencer, John Lewis & Partners and Jigsaw as well as her friend designer Misha Nonoo to embark on board. They opted for a collection including a dress, pants, bag, blazer and shirt. As Meghan pointed out at the end of his speech, one of the items – a leather tote bag worth £ 109 ($ 135) – was sold online even before the launch begins.

The appearance of Meghan – her first official engagement after what may be vaguely termed "royal maternity leave" – ​​comes after a summer when the Sussex were the target of much criticism from the media and the public. Stories and comments on their carbon footprint after their flights on private jets followed Prince Harry in launching his sustainable travel initiative, Travalyst, earlier this month, where he could not escape accusations of hypocrisy .

However, no parallel of this type can be established today. And as Meghan has spoken his words with the ease that only the most accomplished speakers can succeed, there can be no confusion for what this Duchess represents and how much this project represents for her.

"As women, our responsibility is one hundred percent, I think, to support and nurture each other, to defend each other in our goal of success," she said. "Do not prepare for failure, but rather be really gathered together and say 'I want to help you'. And you may never meet that person, but you'll know when you put on that blazer or put on that shirt or carry that tote or those pants or that dress, what other women on the other side of the country wear this garment because you made this purchase. "

And in case anyone doubts it, she said, "This is the kind of work I've been doing for a very long time and being able to do it here, in my new home in the UK, means a lot."

Speaking of working on the collection, Misha Nonoo said T & C that Meghan was a "consummate professional".

"I had already heard about Smart Works and was a big supporter of the work done," said Nonoo. "It corresponded so closely to my values ​​that to empower women and dress them in the exercise of their professional activities, so it was impossible for me to say no to them. because that is our signature. "

"It was clear that the shirt had to be adjusted," she added. "And be closer to the body, so it's something that looks elegant when it's tucked in and under a jacket and is not too oversized. So it was a style a little more classic than she was looking for.

Welcoming Smart Works women with warm smiles and hugs, Meghan has clearly secured a place in their affections. "She's wonderful, how she arranged everything and talked about our union and our presence for each other is an amazing thing.More women need to be like that," said Kate-Lily of Grast-Johnson, Smart Works customer, who lives and works in London.

Dionne Johnson, who lives in Hackney, London, met Meghan for the first time during her visit to Smart Works in January when the Duchess was named patron. Dionne works as a Residents' Commitment Officer for a Housing Association and got a job after Smart Works gave her the confidence to be successful in her interviews. "Meghan is all about empowering women," she said. "So for her to be part of Smart Works, it raises the profile. Since I met Meghan, my friends had never heard of this body, but they have heard about it now. "

Indeed, with John Lewis rooftop buzzing with influential figures and a multitude of photographers and television crews capturing his arrival and departure, there is no doubt that this collection of capsules caught the attention of readers . And Meghan knows exactly what she means by impact.

"It's great!" She said at the end of her speech on the sale of the bag. "And I hope every brand, if you meet that level of success that you come across very early, could boost what you've already been so generous with your contribution and extend it for just a little bit more." so that everyone can play a role in this shared success. "