Alongside her new role as a lifestyle entrepreneur, Meghan and Harry recommitted themselves to the type of public philanthropic work that makes international travel a necessity in 2024. On their technically-not-royal tours to Nigeria in May and Colombia in August, the duchess melded those two aims through her wardrobe. With fashion diplomacy in mind, she wore brands with deep ties to the locations she visited, while keeping an overall emphasis on women-owned brands.
On August 17, her two-track approach came together effortlessly. On a trip to a drum school in Cartagena, Meghan wore a patterned tank top with matching slacks by Johanna Ortiz, a Colombia-born designer who studied fashion in Miami. She accessorized with a Cartier Juste Un Clou necklace, earrings and a pendant by Ariel Gordon, brown suede sandals from longtime favorite Aquazzura, and a tan bag from Cesta Collective. (She actually owns two of the same style in different colors, having premiered the tan version at last year’s Invictus Games in Düsseldorf.)
Meghan also incorporated pieces by Heidi Merrick, a Los Angeles-based designer, into her wardrobe all year, most notably during an April trip to Miami for the annual Sentebale Royal Salute polo tournament. She also wore a blush-colored dress by the brand on a school visit on the first day in Nigeria. An array of brands founded by women, including Staud, Victoria Beckham, Misha Nonoo, Veronica Beard, Gabriela Hearst, Logan Hollowell Jewelry, and Leset, rounded out her looks this year.
