Markle's & Spencer! Duchess of Sussex is to launch her own line of women's clothing in aid of charity

Meghan writes of the charity: ‘The reason why I was drawn to Smart Works is that it reframed the idea of charity as community.....it’s a network of women supporting and empowering other women in their professional pursuits.’

It’s was Meghan’s passion for Smart Works that set the whole British Vogue ball rolling and promoted her to approach its editor in chief, Edward Enninful, she has revealed.

She writes:‘It’s the enthusiasm of the volunteers, the earnestness of the staff and, most of all, the blushing, bashful and beautiful smile that crosses a client’s face when she sees herself in the mirror, that I have found so profoundly compelling.’

Mischa Nonoo is one of Meghan’s closest friends and is rumoured to have introduced her to Prince Harry as she was once married to Alexander Gilkes, a royal pal.

Meghan famously wore her £135 white ‘husband’ shirt the first time she publicly stepped out with the prince at the Toronto Invictus Games.

But she has been accused of cashing in on the friendship by advertising items worn by Meghan and her royal connection.

The husband shirt was advertised as the ‘one that sealed the deal’ with with a princess emoji in a sponsored post on Instagram.

In the September issue of British Vogue, which she has guest edited, Meghan writes: ‘When you walk into a Smart Works space you’re met with racks of clothing and an array of bags and shoes. Sometimes, however, it can be a potpourri of mismatched sizes and colours, not always the right stylistic choices or range of sizes.

‘To help with this, I asked Marks & Spencer, John Lewis & Partners, Jigsaw and my friends, the designer Mischa Nonoo, if they were willing to design a capsule collection of more classic options for a workwear wardrobe.

‘Taking the idea further, many of the brands agreed to use the one-for-one model: for each item purchased by a customer, one is donated to the charity. Not only does this allow us to be part of each other’s story, it reminds us we are in it together. ‘

Meghan herself has said she will not be on the cover of the magazine. Her guest edits have been described as a 'win win' for both parties

A royal source said confirmed the idea had been Meghan’s and said the collection would be available later this year but no further details could be given at present.

The go-getting duchess’s idea follows on from her collaboration with the women of the Hubb Community Kitchen in West London, a communal kitchen that supports members of the community affected by the Grenfell Tower fire, to bring out a cookbook that has raised more than £500,000 so far,

Smart works offers a two hour dressing and coaching service for unemployed women with confirmed job interviews.

Each client has a personalised styling session with two Smart Works volunteer stylists, receiving a complete outfit of high quality clothes and accessories for their specific job interview, which are free and hers to keep.

After her dressing, each client receives a one-to-one interview preparation and coaching session with an experienced HR professional or senior manager.

Once a client is successful at interview, they are welcomed back to receive five additional pieces of clothing. This means that they can start their new role with a capsule working wardrobe which will see them through until their first pay cheque.


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