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The Meghan factor: Boost for designers during royal tour

The Duchess of Sussex proves that, for designers, there is no advertising as good as having a royal wear your clothing creations.

Saturday 27 October 2018 11:08, UK

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit Croke Park, home of Ireland's largest sporting organisation, the Gaelic Athletic Association during their visit to Ireland on July 11, 2018 in Dublin, Ireland...
Image: Any designer that dresses Meghan can count on a sales boost
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Fashion brands chosen by the Duchess of Sussex have seen a surge in interest during her tour of the Pacific with Prince Harry.

The royal couple are coming to the end of their 16-day visit to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga and while eyes were initially trained on signs of the baby they are expecting next year, they quickly reverted to the clothes Meghan has been wearing.

NUKU'ALOFA, TONGA - OCTOBER 25: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive Fua'amotu Airport on October 25, 2018 in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Image: Meghan's Self-Portrait dress matched Harry's white shirt for the colours of the Tongan flag

Self-Portrait, based in London's Mayfair, got a bit more publicity than they had expected when the duchess unwittingly left the tag on their design when she wore it in Tonga.

The tag was still on Meghan's dress in Tonga
Image: The tag was still on Meghan's bright red dress in Tonga

The bright red embroidered midi, which sells for £345, quickly flew off the shelves after photos of the faux pas were published.

People were so keen to get their hands on the dress that there was a 400% increase in visits to Self-Portrait's website.

Sales were also up 35% in the UK and 41% in the US.

If you were too slow, you can still pre-order - it is shipping mid-December.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attendon October 18, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia
Image: Clothes worn by Meghan often sell-out within minutes

An Australian-designed dress worn by Meghan at the beginning of the tour - a white shift dress by Karen Gee - was so popular that the designer's website crashed.

Ms Gee said on Instagram that there had been an "incredible amount of interest" in the dress and her brand.

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan walk down the stairs of the iconic Opera House to meet the crowds
Image: This white shift dress was so popular that the designer's website crashed

The website is back up now and the dress is available too - for £995.

French designer Martin Grant said sales had "hugely" increased since Meghan wore items from them, including a beige trench coat and a maxi sundress.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend XXX on October 19, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand.
Image: A Martin Grant dress worn when the couple visited Bondi Beach

Google searches for designer Emilia Wickstead also spiked after Meghan wore one of her black outfits at the opening of the Anzac Memorial in Sydney.

Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, attend the opening of the enhanced ANZAC memorial in Hyde Park, Sydney, Australia October 20, 2018
Image: Searches for Emilia Wickstead spiked after Meghan wore one of her outfits

And designer Don O'Neill said on his Instagram that he was "so excited I can barely hold my phone" when he saw Meghan wearing an ivory crepe gown designed by him for his label Theia.

This one can also be pre-ordered, for £775.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend a state dinner at the Royal Residence on October 25, 2018 in Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Image: Meghan wore Theia for an evening with Tongan dignitaries

Other popular designs included a Stella McCartney cape dress, a grey blazer from Serena Williams and a white pearl dress by Australian label Zimmerman.