Update: 9/4/19
We now have an official date for Meghan Markle's capsule collection benefiting one of her royal patronages, Smart Works. According to royals reporters, the Duchess of Sussex will reveal the line on September 12.
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Read more about the project, below.
Original story: 7/30/19
Even though she's technically on maternity leave, Meghan Markle has been staying busy. She spent months guest-editing the September issue of British Vogue, which hits newsstands August 2. Beyond her helping with the casting of the cover and curating the features inside, there's another element to this collaboration, according to royal sources: a fashion collection that'll benefit charity.
On Tuesday reporter Omid Scobie revealed on Twitter that the Duchess of Sussex will be partnering with four brands—Marks & Spencer, John Lewis & Partners, Jigsaw, and Misha Nonoo—on a workwear capsule. All proceeds from it will go to the U.K. charity Smart Works, which offers unemployed women a pathway into the workplace.
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Markle wrote about the collection in the upcoming issue of British Vogue, adding that it's scheduled for release later this year.
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"For each item purchased by a customer, one is donated to charity,” the duchess said, according to Scobie. “Not only does this allow us to be part of each other’s story, it reminds us we are in it together.”
Smart Works is actually one of Markle's royal patronages. She visited it back in January.
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This capsule collection is a combination of the duchess's many interests: It leverages her style and fashion know-how while also tapping into her longtime advocacy for women's rights.
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Some of her chosen collaborators are brands she actually wears. The duchess has been photographed in Marks & Spencer accessories multiple times and wore Misha Nonoo to her first-ever public appearance with Prince Harry. (Nonoo is a friend of the Markle's, and attended the Royal Wedding.)
It's not Markle's first fashion collaboration. When she was starring on Suits and living in Canada, she partnered with the Canadian retailer Reitmans on a limited-edition capsule.
Online, the news of Markle's latest fashion venture was met with enthusiasm, unsurprisingly. "Meghan is always thinking of innovative ways to raise money /resources for places. Her creativity is unmatched and her connects are equally impressive! I can't wait to buy from this collection," one person wrote on Twitter. "Hopefully it doesn't sell out too fast."
