‘Meghan effect’ in full force as royal engagement handbag sells out
A double-breasted, cashmere wool blend ‘Elodie’ coat was also chosen for the first royal engagement.
A handbag made by a small Scottish label has sold out after Meghan Markle chose to carry the fashion item on her first royal engagement.
Prince Harry’s future wife carried a £455 Strathberry tri-colour leather midi tote with dual top handles during the couple’s visit to Nottingham on Friday.
Its luxury leather products, which are handcrafted in Spain, are defined by its ”clean lines and signature bar closure”, the firm’s website says.
A Strathberry spokeswoman said: “We are thrilled and honoured to see Meghan Markle carrying our Strathberry midi tote in tri-colour burgundy/navy/vanilla.
“We are delighted at the news of her and Prince Harry’s engagement, and wish them all the best for this exciting period.
“It was a fantastic surprise to see that Meghan selected one of our core Strathberry styles to carry on her first royal engagement.
“The Strathberry midi tote tri-colour is now sold out and will be restocking soon. People can sign up for notifications on our website.”
It comes after the so-called Meghan effect provided a boost for another British accessories company.
London based Finlay & Co, founded by David Lochhead from Aberdeen and Dane Butler from Hampshire, sold out of their Percy sunglasses after Ms Markle wore a pair at the Invictus games in September and has seen a 1,000% increase in website sales.
On the Nottingham visit, Ms Markle wrapped up against the cold in the double-breasted, cashmere wool blend Elodie coat, with classic epaulettes and buttoned cuff.
The American actress-turned royal fiancee has long been a fan of Mackage – whose outerwear has also been worn by the pop star Madonna.
Mackage’s signature tailored coats have also been spotted on the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Halle Berry, Eva Mendes and Blake Lively.
Launched by design duo and school friends Eran Elfassy and Elisa Dahan in 1999, Mackage prides itself on offering outwear with a “unique balance between fashion and function”.
“Mackage is a luxe Canadian brand that every fashionista loves,” one fashion site said.
The Elodie costs around £585 and @meghansfashion, who blogs about Ms Markle’s style, said the coat is a sold-out design.
She wore the coat over what was thought to be a beige cotton full midi skirt from British-based luxury fashion label Joseph, priced at around £595, and a black turtleneck by Wolford.
Braving the chilly weather without gloves during a walkabout in Nottingham, Ms Markle’s sparkling diamond engagement ring, designed by Harry, was on show.
The Queen is well-known for wearing gloves – either white or black ones – when out and about shaking hands with the public on royal engagements.
While the monarch is famed for her classic handbags, and rarely seen in public without one, the Duchess of Cambridge rarely does so on official visits.
