“Meghan's favourite designer credits her with 'blowing open' conversation about ethical jewellery

“Meghan's favourite designer credits her with 'blowing open' conversation about ethical jewellery - Daily Mail” plus 1 more

Meghan's favourite designer credits her with 'blowing open' conversation about ethical jewellery - Daily Mail

Posted: 13 Aug 2019 12:00 AM PDT

Meghan Markle's favourite ethical jewellery designer has credited the duchess with having an 'incredible' impact upon the women who craft the pieces.

Pippa Small, 50, of Wiltshire, is founder of an eponymous label which sells pieces by women trained by the Prince Charles-backed Turquoise Mountain Foundation in Kabul, Afghanistan.

The label offers a stable employment for women in Kabul, and a means of empowerment for the craftspeople, who can face threats for going to work.

The Duchess of Sussex was first spotted wearing Pippa Small when she stepped out in £6,000 worth of the designer's jewellery to Princess Eugenie's wedding in October 2018.

Pippa Small has credited Meghan Markle, 38, with blowing open the conversation about ethical jewellery (pictured at Wimbledon in July 2019, wearing the £1,000 Durgaring)

As well as donning an 18-karat gold diamond bracelet worth £1,720, she wore £3,720 worth of gold rings by the designer, and matching studded earrings.

She has since worn her designs on a number of high profile occasions, including the British Fashion Awards in December last year.

Speaking to Hello! Magazine, Pippa told how the Duchess' support of the brand has had a tangible impact on the women behind the designs.

'It's incredible,' Pippa said. 'After years of trying, she's [Meghan's] just blown the doors open. The impact on the workshop has been fantastic.'

Pippa specifically recalled the surge she felt following Meghan's appearance at the British Fashion Awards in December last year.

Meghan opted for £50 Nosheen Stud Earrings 18kt gold vermeil on sterling silver.

Meghan has frequently worn the ethical jewellery brand throughout the past year (pictured in Tonga in October 2018, wearing the £1,400 Aquamarine Collette Pendant Cord Necklace)

And she went for a layered look for her bracelet, wearing the £360 Wajiha Bangle, the £115 Oshna Bangle and the £160 Omeen Bangle.

The designer said she felt a surge of interest in her ethical jewellery immediately, saying: 'It was absolutely incredible; it was suddenly like: 'We need more of this.''

Since then, Meghan has selected Pippa Small's jewellery on more than 12 occasions, including during the royal tour of Australia and Fiji, when she wore a gold leaf pair of earrings costing £3,175 and £1,400 Aquamarine Collette Pendant Cord Necklace.

Most recently, she wore the £1,000 Durga ring at Wimbledon as she watched the Lady's Singles Final.

Pippa called Meghan's impact on the ethical jewllery industry 'incredible' (pictured in Fiji on 25 October, wearing the £3,175 leaf gold earrings)

Pippa said the women working on the pieces were 'thrilled' by the swell of interest and said that the general public had become more aware of ethical jewellery.

The pieces are handmade in Kabul by artisans trained by the Turquoise Mountain Foundation, which creates jobs for young people who 'need hope and a sense of purpose in a beautiful country tragically caught up in violence and conflict'.

The non-profit NGO was founded in 2006 by her husband Harry's father Prince Charles with the former president of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai.

In the 17 years since the fall of the Taliban, the Turquoise Mountain foundation has found some of Afghanistan's best artisans and helped them preserve and pass on their skills, as well helping them showcase their work in international markets.

Meghan has continued wearing the jewellery on a number of royal appearances, including at the British Fashion Awards

A painstakingly restored caravanserai - a roadside inn - in Kabul's oldest district is once again a hub for exquisite woodwork carvers, potters making traditionally-glazed ceramics, Islamic calligraphers, and goldsmiths.

First started by British diplomat Rory Stewart, the Turquoise Mountain Foundation, which is supported by Prince Charles, the British Council, and USAID, has now worked with some 5,000 artisans.

Their efforts have breathed new life into Murad Khani's ancient silver bazaar, with hundreds travelling every day to the restored cedar paneled courtyard to learn and teach woodwork, calligraphy, ceramics, jewellery and miniature painting.

Meghan Markle uses four tricks to flatter her figure - including cap sleeves, V-neck and midi length - Daily Mail

Posted: 30 Sep 2019 12:00 AM PDT

Meghan Markle has used four wardrobe tricks to flatter her figure during her royal Africa tour, a stylist has claimed.

The Duchess of Sussex, 38, stepped out in yet another shirt dress as she visited a Johannesburg art studio on day eight of the Africa tour today.

The royal, who arrived without son Archie, four months, or husband Prince Harry, opted for a $148 (£120) button-front midi dress in indigo by designer, Aritzia.

The mother-of-one paired the shirt dress with red suede slingbacks, which retail at £129 by Everlane, and accessorised with a distinctive pair of studded black earrings she picked up in Cape Town from a local 'ethical' designer, Pichulik, for just £46.

Speaking exclusively to FEMAIL, a host of stylists have revealed the royal's wardrobe tricks - including a shirt dress to show off her hourglass figure, midi length to hide unwanted attention, v-neck to show off a nipped-in waist and cap sleeves to add femininity.

'The best thing about these shirt dresses is that they are very flattering to many people's figures,' explained expert Rochelle White. 'They have a good fit and with Meghan she is making smart choices on the tailoring and fit of each of her dresses.'

Meghan Markle (pictured) donned a £120 button-front midi dress by designer Aritzia as she visited a Johannesburg art studio today

SHIRT DRESS

Meghan recycled a loose-fitting £525 Veronica Beard 'Cary' dress when she arrived at District 6 museum in Cape Town on 23 September, 2019 (picture)

Meghan wore a floor-length olive shirt dress with a scarf to cover her head as she joined husband Prince Harry to visit Auwal Mosque on Heritage Day on September 24

Meghan donned a vintage-style ensemble, inspired by a traditional house dress, made from drapey fabric with a pebbled texture, for the visit to a Johannesburg art studio today.

And it's not the first time she's opted for a shirt dress during the 10-day royal Africa tour - as she wore a floor-length olive outfit during a visit to Auwal Mosque on Heritage Day on September 24.

She also donned the same loose-fitting £525 Veronica Beard 'Cary' dress when she arrived at District 6 museum in Cape Town on 23 September, as she did in Tonga while pregnant with Archie last year.

According to stylist Susie Halser, who runs Styled By Susie, the shirt dress is the perfect option for an hourglass silhouette because it shows off their 'perfect proportions.'

'Meghan wore a blue belted shirt dress which accentuated her tiny waist. This is also a nod to her chic style and personality,' she said.

'It's feminine with just the right amount of masculinity to make it a powerful piece to wear. It ensures she looks slick and timeless without too many frills or fuss.'

V-NECK

The Duchess of Sussex (pictured) donned a chic £100 jumpsuit by Everlane as she visited the African not-for-profit organisation 'mothers2mothers' during day three of the royal tour of South Africa on September 25, 2019 in Cape Town

During the royal Africa tour, the mother-of-one has also opted for several ensembles with a V-neck finish - be it a dress or classic jumpsuit.

She styled a chic £100 jumpsuit by Everlane when she visited the African not-for-profit organisation 'mothers2mothers' during day three of the royal tour on September 25 in Cape Town.

'She has beautiful curves and a nipped-in waist and should choose cuts that show this off,' explained Susie.

'A V-neck is flattering for her shape because high necklines on an hourglass can add bulk to the bust and upper body.'

She added: 'It shows off her beautiful décolletage and balances out a conservative midi-length dress beautifully.'

MIDI LENGTH

The royal, who arrived without son Archie, four months, or husband Prince Harry , opted for a $148 (£120) button-front midi dress in indigo by designer, Aritzia as she arrived at an art studio in Johannesburg today

Another style loved by Meghan in recent days is the midi length dress or skirt, which stylists suggest help to hide any unwanted attention.

The Duchess attended an engagement in Cape Town wearing an eye-catching monochrome ensemble, which comprised a £145 J.Crew midi -skirt and £66 tank top by Misha Nonoo, at the weekend.

The minimal yet chic knit was characterised by an elasticated waistband, A-line silhouette and contrasting stripes that created the illusion of pleats.

'A midi length is practical and conservative, while still being bang on trend,' explained Susie.

'This allows Meghan to wear flat pumps or wedges as it works with any shoe. It also conforms to the royal dress code of modest hemlines.'

CAP SLEEVES

Meghan Markle opted for a £370 wrap dress featuring cap sleeve detail by Canadian brand Club Monaco to meet Archbishop Desmond Tutu in Cape Town on September 25 (pictured together with Archie)

Meanwhile, the Duchess wore a £370 wrap dress featuring cap sleeve detail by Canadian brand Club Monaco to meet Archbishop Desmond Tutu at the Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, on day three of the tour in Cape Town.

And according to stylist Susie, a cap sleeve is one of the most flattering sleeve lengths on a woman.

'It shows off Meghan's toned arms without exposing too much flesh, and it was an appropriate choice for when she had tea with Archbishop Desmond Tutu recently,' noted Susie.

'A cap sleeve flatters the arm more than a T-shirt sleeve as it's looser fitting and adds femininity.'

Meanwhile, fashion expert commentator Karine Laudort told how a cap sleeve works the same way as a V-neck.

'V-necks will make you look slimmer and derive the attention away from the face, the same way cap sleeves will flatter the upper part of the body,' she said. 'This is demonstrated in almost all of Meghan's looks.'