The Marchess of Bath positioned Meghan in a precarious spot, as Markle seemed to borrow heavily from Emma's Kitchen for her latest venture.
Upon learning of Meghan Markle's venture into the lifestyle brand realm with American Riviera Orchard, one couldn't help but wonder, what in the world is this fresh word salad? Markle had assumed the role of a self-appointed lifestyle guru even before her royal wedding days, boasting a popular blog called The Tig.
However, the new brand's name, American Riviera Orchard, is quite the mouthful, as noted by brand development and public relations consultant Sarah Boyd of Sarah Boyd Co, who has previously collaborated with esteemed companies like Field and Supply and Waterworks. Boyd muses that Markle might have been drawn to the down-to-earth connotations of "American," the glamorous allure of "Riviera," and the homely feel of "Orchard."
Yet, strung together, it appears to be a confusing mishmash. How and why Markle settled on such a name remains perplexing to many. "American Riviera Orchard" conjures images of bandanas, bikinis, and beehives, sounding more like a concoction from an AI-generated celebrity biography than a coherent brand identity.
Furthermore, Meghan's project isn't exactly groundbreaking, as her brand has been accused of mimicking several other well-known brands. It appears that Markle attempted to rival Emma's Kitchen, spearheaded by the illustrious Emma Thynn, the Marchess of Bath. Known for her groundbreaking initiatives, Emma Thynn is the first biracial Marchess in Britain and gained fame as the first known peer to undergo a surrogate birth after a life-threatening illness during her initial pregnancy.
Speculation abounds that Markle may have drawn inspiration from Emma, particularly regarding surrogacy, given Emma's own journey. Another area where Markle seems to have drawn influence is Emma's Kitchen itself. Emma is renowned for her culinary prowess, crafting original recipes and producing a line of bone china tea sets. Notably, Emma's Kitchen boasts two award-winning jams: Pink Gin and Pineapple. These jams are accompanied by detailed descriptions, including a comprehensive list of ingredients, proudly showcasing that the fruits are locally sourced from Longleat.
In contrast, Meghan's brand comes across as overly pretentious and lacking authenticity. Recent glimpses into Markle's marketing strategy suggest a focus on the brand name rather than the product quality. With no clear labeling or ingredient lists, and with peeling stickers, Markle's approach appears haphazard, leaving doubts about the authenticity of her products.
It's evident that Markle may be underestimating the complexities of running a lifestyle brand. Her perceived laziness and lack of understanding regarding the intricacies of licensing, permits, regulations, taxes, supply chains, advertising, and shipping could potentially lead to squandering a significant amount of money. In stark contrast, Emma has diligently put in the work for her products, resulting in a polished and professional outcome. While Emma's efforts reflect dedication and expertise, Markle's endeavors appear amateurish, akin to the work of a child.
It's no secret that Meghan harbors aspirations for glamorous moments, perhaps envisioning herself in a resplendent ball gown gracing the cover of a magazine. However, while Emma thrives in the refined world of British Vogue as a contributing editor and enjoys close ties with influential figures like Edward Enninful, Markle seems to have encountered barriers in gaining acceptance within such circles. Despite her attempts, Markle's failure to integrate into this elite sphere cannot be attributed to discrimination or social politics; rather, it may simply be a matter of not resonating with the refined sensibilities of those in that social stratum.
