Every time the Duchess of Sussex steps out in public, her legions of fans take stock of her outfit's every detail and do their best to mimic her look. It's known as the Meghan Markle Effect, and it's helped quite a few female founders find new audiences and take their companies to even greater heights. Meet the women whose chic designs have found their way into Meghan Markle's closet.
“On Cyber Monday, two years ago, [Prince Harry and Markle] announced their engagement,” Gates says. “The press went crazy with all of her favorite brands. It just exploded the business.” Markle later announced her pregnancy while wearing a pair of Birdies, and also wore the brand during trips to New Zealand, the Redwood Forrest, and to an all girls’ school in Morocco. “She gives the brand credibility and she's the right person to do it,” says Gates.