Meghan Markle’s latest branding disaster has claimed another victim, this time pulling the French luxury ceramics brand Aier De Villat into the whirlwind of bad press that seems to follow her every move.
The company likely never anticipated this level of notoriety when their overpriced, questionably aesthetic bowls found themselves at the center of Meghan’s latest attempt at curated sophistication. However, the moment she showcased these outrageously expensive, almost disease-ridden-looking dishes, the brand seemed to realize that her endorsement was about as welcome as a mold-covered avocado toast.
It all started with yet another painfully uninspired social media post, featuring artfully arranged fruit in bowls—except these weren’t just any bowls. These were $42 ceramic pieces that looked as though they had survived a medieval plague, accompanied by their $155 baby counterparts. Because, of course, when one is entirely detached from reality, spending nearly $600 on bumpy, unappealing dishware seems like a perfectly logical decision. Instead of inspiring admiration, Meghan’s attempt at portraying luxury living sparked widespread mockery and sheer disbelief.
The internet wasted no time tearing apart the bizarrely textured ceramics, with some joking that they resembled ancient goblets designed to prevent greasy medieval hands from slipping. Others simply pointed out the obvious—they were hideous, overpriced, and no one with a shred of taste would voluntarily display them in their home. As the ridicule spread like wildfire, so did the growing realization at Aier De Villat’s headquarters that they had been "Markled." In the world of luxury branding, an endorsement from a high-profile figure is typically a boon, not a liability. Yet with Meghan, the effect seems to be the exact opposite—her association with a product somehow repels consumers rather than attracting them.
Parisian brands take great pride in their exclusivity, and no self-respecting French luxury house wants to be linked to someone who appears to Google "most expensive" and blindly purchase whatever appears first. Sensing the potential damage, Aier De Villat swiftly and subtly distanced itself from the unintentional endorsement. Like a host trying to discreetly remove an unwelcome party guest, the brand made it clear that their target clientele did not include social climbers grasping at relevance.
This debacle serves as yet another lesson in the world of branding: not all publicity is good publicity, and not all influencers actually drive influence in a positive direction. Meghan’s ongoing mission to position herself as a tastemaker has once again failed spectacularly, proving that no amount of money can buy class—or a competent PR strategy. As Aier De Villat scrambles to erase the "Markle effect" from its image, Meghan will undoubtedly move on to her next branding experiment. Perhaps a $700 distressed napkin? A $1,200 artisanal spoon with a tragic backstory? Only time will tell. But one thing remains certain—luxury brands, beware. A single feature from Meghan Markle might just be the quickest way to watch your sales plummet.
