Meghan Markle’s Smart Works charity clothing line released online – hours before the official launch
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MEGHAN Markle's hotly anticipated new charity clothing line for Smart Works has been unveiled online - hours before its official launch.
The Duchess of Sussex, 38, will make her first official engagement since Archie's birth in May later today when she presents her five-piece workwear collection at a charity event.
The new mum has partnered up with Marks & Spencer, John Lewis, Jigsaw and her fashion designer pal Misha Nonoo to support Smart Works - a charity that helps unemployed women get back into the workforce by providing them with clothing and interview training .
To promote the range, Meghan shared a series of black-and-white photos of her laughing and hugging models on the set of the Smart Set shoot last month.
But despite the range's official launch this afternoon, M&S and John Lewis & Partners put their designs up for sale on their website hours early.
Meghan's affordable M&S £19.50 'Smart Set' crepe shift dress features a smart V-neck cut and is available in black, blue and pink.
- Crepe Shift Dress, £19.50 from M&S -
- Crepe Shift Dress, £19.50 from M&S -
- Crepe Shift Dress, £19.50 from M&S -
According to the M&S website, the smart workwear dress "will become a staple in your autumn wardrobe" thanks to its transitional style and versatile shape.
The product description also features a quote from The Duchess of Sussex about her range for Smart Works which reads "not a handout, a hand held".
On the more pricier side of things, the Duchess' second piece in her capsule workwear collection is a £109 John Lewis & Partners tote bag which comes in tan and black leather.
The chic work bag features two detachable straps as well as a crossbody feature and brushed gold hardware.
- Smart Set Leather Tote Bag in Tan, £109 from John Lewis & Partners -
- Smart Set Leather Tote Bag in Black, £109 from John Lewis & Partners -
A practical everyday piece, the bag also has a large pocket on the outside (perfect to keep your travel cards in) as well as two slip pockets on the inside designed to hold your phone and wallet.
In other words, it's no surprise that the smart tote bag sold out within HOURS- but John Lewis & Partners have assured Fabulous Digital that more stock is coming soon.
Last month, the Duchess gave fans a sneak peek of her clothing collaboration by posting a behind-the-scenes video on Instagram.
The range - which will only be on sale for two weeks - will includes a shirt, trousers and a blazer.
For every item bought from Meghan’s range, one will be donated to Smart Works, which help unemployed women get back into the workplace with confidence.
Meghan became a patron of the organisation back in January and has helped to collaborate on the line over the past few months.
She was inspired to create the capsule wardrobe after seeing that donations to Smart Works were plentiful but often lacking in the right sizes or choices.
Along with the British high street brands, Meghan has partnered with pal Mischa Nonoo - who designed the "Husband Shirt" which the former Suits actress wore on her first ever public outing with Prince Harry in 2017.
- The Smart Set Shirt, £125 from Mischa Nonoo -
- The Smart Set Blazer, £199 from Jigsaw -
- The Smart Set Trousers, £120 from Jigsaw -
The Smart Set shirt is a chic workwear basis designed by Mischa Nonoo and costs £125.
Catering to every pricepoint, the most expensive items in the range are the Duchess' black trouser suit by Jigsaw which costs £319 in total.
Each piece in the range has been specially designed to form the foundation of a chic work wardrobe - including an elegant blazer, well-tailored trousers and the perfect crisp white shirt.
Commenting on her new clothing collection, the Duchess said: "Since moving to the UK, it has been deeply important to me to meet with communities and organisations on the ground doing meaningful work and to try to do whatever I can to help them amplify their impact.
"It was just last September that we launched the ‘Together’ cookbook with the women of the Hubb Kitchen in Grenfell. Now, one year later, I am excited to celebrate the launch of another initiative of women supporting women, and communities working together for the greater good.
"When you buy any item in the Smart Set Capsule Collection for Smart Works, the same item will be given to a Smart Works client, and with it, the confidence and support she needs to enter the workforce and take an important step in building a career.
"Thank you to the four brands who came together in supporting Smart Works on this special project - placing purpose over profit and community over competition.
"In convening several companies rather than one, we’ve demonstrated how we can work collectively to empower each other - another layer to this communal success story, that I am so proud to be a part of.”
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