CELEBRITY
Meghan Markle’s American Riviera Orchard has lots of flash and fanfare — but, so far, not much else
Meghan Markle’s new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, has lots of flash and fanfare — but, so far, not much else.
The Duchess of Sussex’s latest project was announced online earlier this month with a video featuring the mom-of-two in a kitchen straight out of a Nancy Meyers movie.
In moments that are peak Markle, the 42-year-old was also seen picking flowers and posing in a black ball gown.
But there still remain vital questions surrounding the brand: Just who is investing in it, who is working on it — and who is manufacturing the goods, which will range from jams and jellies to candles, skincare and pet food?
Well-placed sources at other lifestyle brands told Page Six that American Riviera Orchard is all the gossip on industry What’sApp groups around Los Angeles.
Tellingly, however, they have not yet heard anything about Markle hiring buyers or a sourcing team
One insider who knows the Sussexes told Page Six that it’s looking like a typical Markle project: plenty of glamour, little substance. “They [Harry and Meghan] consistently make announcements and roll things out really early … to what point?” the insider said.
Sources close to Markle point out that no timeframe for an actual product launch has been given yet.
However, Page Six can confirm that the finance types Markle and Prince Harry have been seen networking with — including Wall Street billionaire Ken Griffin and cosmetics mogul Victoria Jackson and her husband, marketing multi-millionaire guru Bill Guthy, both close pals of the Sussexes —are not investing.
Neither is Ari Emanuel, head of WME, the talent mega agency which signed up Markle nearly a year ago.
Markle is believed to have worked on the project with Hollywood money man Adam Lilling.
As Page Six previously revealed, the Sussexes are thought to have been introduced to Lilling, who heads up the private equity fund Plus Capital, by their close friend and Montecito, California, neighbor Ellen DeGeneres, who has worked with him for years.
The trio were seen mingling at DeGeneres’ surprise vow renewal to wife Portia de Rossi last year. Lilling was unavailable for comment.