Meghan Markle may be considering a break from her struggling business ventures, but not before presenting the world with yet another misstep.
This time, she has introduced a new brand under the name "As Ever"—except the name isn’t actually hers to claim. Meet Mark Ksky, the founder of As Ever NYC, a vintage-inspired workwear brand he has meticulously built over the past decade. Unlike Meghan’s approach, which often involves hastily attaching her name to a project and expecting instant success, Ksky has cultivated his brand through years of hard work, dedication, and authentic craftsmanship.
Ksky, a man of quiet professionalism, suddenly found himself at the center of Meghan’s latest branding fiasco when she announced her lifestyle venture under the same name. His reaction? A composed and strategic consultation with legal experts, an awareness of his trademark rights, and an attitude of patience to see how the situation unfolds. In stark contrast, Meghan has a history of playing the victim while simultaneously capitalizing on the fallout of her own PR disasters. Ksky's success story is rooted in talent and perseverance—starting small, working in a vintage shop, upcycling clothing, and gradually gaining recognition. Meanwhile, Meghan’s career trajectory has been less about organic growth and more about investing heavily in public relations to cultivate an image of prestige, despite never quite delivering on that promise.
Ksky has maintained a thriving business for over ten years, while Meghan has repeatedly stumbled through multi-million-dollar ventures, leaving a wake of failed partnerships. Predictably, her attempt to claim "As Ever" as her own has backfired spectacularly. Instead of solidifying her brand, she has inadvertently given As Ever NYC a massive boost in visibility. Ksky’s social media following has surged, his sales have skyrocketed, and his name is now making headlines. This phenomenon, often dubbed "the Markle effect," has ironically benefited the very people she seemingly tried to overshadow. Instead of elevating her own brand, she has unwittingly amplified the success of someone else.
Meghan’s business strategy appears to revolve around picking a random idea, assuming it will succeed simply because of her involvement, and then watching as it crumbles due to poor execution. First, there was the "Archetypes" podcast, which Spotify abruptly canceled. Then came the Netflix deal, which, beyond the initial Harry & Meghan documentary, has yielded little of substance. Now, she’s entering the saturated world of lifestyle branding—except with a name that isn’t even original. To make matters worse, another company, a Chinese garment manufacturer, also operates under the "As Ever" name. This means Meghan isn’t just stepping on the toes of a small business owner; she’s also competing with an established international brand. One would think that conducting thorough trademark research would be a fundamental step before launching a business. However, Meghan’s approach seems to begin and end with whatever feels beneficial for her personal brand.
Meanwhile, Ksky is taking a measured approach, aware that Meghan’s version of "As Ever" may never even take off. The legal complications, the intense competition, and the financial burden of launching and sustaining a successful brand make this a daunting challenge. Given her track record, it’s difficult to picture Meghan putting in the necessary work to turn this idea into a lasting enterprise. Time and again, her business ventures have followed the same pattern—an ambitious start, minimal follow-through, and an eventual decline.
If there’s one lesson to take away from this situation, it’s that Meghan’s attempts at entrepreneurship often end before they even begin. She had the opportunity to do things the right way—conduct research, respect existing trademarks, and build something meaningful. Instead, she has once again revealed herself as someone more interested in shortcuts than genuine success. Meanwhile, Ksky is winning without even trying. His response has been calm, professional, and, most importantly, profitable. Whether or not he pursues legal action, he has already gained from the wave of free publicity.
