What's going on at Duchess Meghan's American Riviera orchard?

royal family

by sarah nathan and michael kaplan

Meghan Markle's new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, has a lot of buzz and fanfare, but not much else so far.

The Duchess of Sussex's latest project was announced online earlier this month with a video featuring the mother of two in a kitchen straight out of a Nancy Meyers movie.

At her peak, Markle, 42, was seen picking flowers and posing in a black ball gown.

But serious questions surrounding the brand still remain. Who exactly invests in the brand, who works on it, and who makes the products from jams and jellies to candles, skin care, and pet food?

A well-informed source at another lifestyle brand told Page Six that American Riviera Orchard is all about gossip in industry What'sApp groups around Los Angeles.

But apparently we haven't heard anything yet about Merkle hiring a buyer or procurement team.

A source familiar with the Sussexes told Page Six that it seems like a typical Markle project, full of charm but little substance. “They are [Harry and Meghan] Consistently making announcements and rolling out very early…to what point?'' the insider said.

Sources close to Markle note that an actual product launch date has not yet been indicated.

However, Markle and Prince Harry are believed to be networking with financial figures such as Wall Street billionaire Ken Griffin, cosmetics mogul Victoria Jackson and her husband, billionaire marketing guru Bill. Gussie and other close friends of the Sussexes) can be confirmed on Page Six. I haven't made any investments.

So does Ari Emanuel, head of WME, the giant talent agency that signed Markle nearly a year ago.

Ms Markle is believed to have worked on the project with Hollywood billionaire Adam Rilling.

As Page Six previously revealed, the Sussexes were introduced to Rilling, who heads private equity fund Plus Capital, by their longtime friend and Montecito, Calif., neighbor Ellen DeGeneres. It is considered.

The trio were spotted mingling last year when DeGeneres renewed her surprise vows with wife Portia de Rossi. Rilling could not be reached for comment.

The project will be in conjunction with a new Netflix show that Markle is said to be currently filming to follow in the footsteps of Martha Stewart and Joanna Gaines.

When Markle was interviewed by The Cut in 2022, she gifted the writer a basket of homemade fruits and vegetables and a jar of jam with a customized label from Etsy.

It says “Lili Bunny Garden + Larder” after her daughter Princess Lilibet – could that be a clue about her groceries?

In any case, she has already caused the anger of the neighbors.

Kelly Clasby, an organic farmer who runs the Malibu Fig Farm and supplies top leaders such as Tom Colicchio and Jean George Vongilechten, said Markle was also named American Riviera. He said there is a need to work diligently to encourage the use of Santa Barbara (the nickname for the Santa Barbara area). Including Montecito.

“If we're going to call this the American Riviera, that's what we should call it.” [sourcing ingredients] It’s grown in Santa Barbara,” Clasby told Page Six. “Otherwise, all the produce would be dumped in a wholesale warehouse in downtown Los Angeles, where it comes from Mexico and Chile.

“There should be a kitchen too.” [in the Santa Barbara area], unless you simply put your name on it and have it made anywhere, or have it made in advance. And that's the hype. ”

Markle has been spotted at the Montecito Farmers Market, but Sam Edelman, general manager of the Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market Association, said that to his knowledge, Meghan is not working with any farmers in the group. Ta.

But if Markle wants to sell something at her local farmers market, she'll have to get her hands dirty.

“California is strict about putting up signs that say we grow what we sell,” said Maureen Claffey, who runs Red Hen Cannery with her husband in Carpinteria, California. . She said, “To sell strawberry jam at the farmers market, you have to grow strawberries.''

Since meeting Markle, Cloughley has become a fan of her. She said, “Her daughter was setting up a little cotton candy stand. [Markle and Prince Harry] I bought cotton candy from her. Meeting them and seeing how they reacted to her daughter and how positive they were on a windy day speaks volumes. How people treat children when no one else is around says a lot. ”

A source familiar with Markle told Page Six that it was a longtime dream of the former actress to follow The Tig, a lifestyle site she ran while appearing on the TV drama “Suits.” Ta. It included travel tips, recipes, and fashion insights.

Markle closed the service in 2017 after meeting Prince Harry and before marrying into the royal family.

“She's always been a big Goop fan and wanted to create an extension of The Tig,” a source said of Markle and American Riviera Orchard.

Lifestyle industry executives pointed out that Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow organically grew her business (now valued at about $1 billion) from her kitchen table 16 years ago.

Ms. Patrow talked about how she used to go to supplier appointments herself.

“Everyone is speculating about American Riviera Orchard,” said the lifestyle figure. “But someone like Gwyneth started by sending out a newsletter once a week, and it was very personal, kind of like what Substack is now. It was very much back then. It was a novel idea, but she couldn't monetize her business for about seven years. The goal was to create something of value with the community, not a business.

“She did not receive any outside funding until 2015.”

It was only then that Paltrow turned her passion for clean cosmetics and more into a brand, working with experts to develop her own beauty products.

Goop is currently working with leaders in the beauty and fashion industry, including former staff at LVMH and investors at top companies such as NEA.

“In Gwyneth's case, everything that happened all came from a very gradual and authentic place… Gwyneth didn't start out trying to create what she is today,” the lifestyle figure said. .

Mandana Dayani, president of the Sussexes' company Archewell (from May 2021 to December 2022), reportedly first approached Markle with a list of business proposals.

Another source who knows the Sussexes said: “Mandana was supposed to be thinking of a profitable business but she quit… but I know she suggested a lot of ideas to Meghan.” .

Dayani declined to comment.

Sources said Markle is also discussing the idea with Sarah Harden, CEO of Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine production company.

As reported by Pac, Markle was inspired by the new brand. Flamingo Estate is a celebrity purveyor that sells candles, skin care, pantry items, and other goods. That includes $250 bottles of honey sold by stars such as Julianne Moore (with proceeds going to charity).

The Duchess of Sussex was at one point in talks with Flamingo Estate founder Richard Christiansen about a partnership.

“I know that Meghan has had a number of meetings with Richard that have not gone well,” the lifestyle celebrity said.

Christiansen could not be reached for comment.

But another person familiar with Markle said she wasn't sure the Flamingo Estate crowd would be interested.

“She thinks her audience is high-end, wealthy, and wears Cartier and Tiffany because that's what she does,” the source said. “But I think they're J Crew. She's actually in the mid-market.”

The trademark application for American Riviera Orchard was filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on February 2 by Mama Knows Best, LLC. He has since filed two further applications, registering names for tableware, cookbooks, household linens, pantry supplies including jams and spreads, gift wrap, candles, yoga mats and pet food. Masu.

Of course, Markle can use the AmericanRiviera.com site to sell her own products as well as her favorite products from other brands.

But experts say no matter what she does, she better hurry if she wants to make money this year.

“Meghan would have been ready to launch the product right away, otherwise she wouldn't have announced it,” said one merchandising source. “She'll want the scope of her vacation, but she's almost too late for that.”