The style lessons Meghan can learn from Adele

The Duchess of Sussex may divide opinion on many things, but one aspect of her life that most of us can agree on is that she has good style.

Of course, it’s easier if you have access to jumpers which cost the equivalent of some people’s monthly food bill, want to wear £5,400-worth of Chloé silk to the beach, and you’re dripping in Cartier. Who wouldn’t, in her position?

But the truth is, almost everyone in the public eye – if they want to look polished and put-together in the press and on social media – will consult an expert of some sort, whether it’s a longtime personal stylist or an occasional personal shopper

A trusted second opinion can assess a look from every angle, and identify any loose threads or creases; to help them look au courant, without looking like a fashion victim. Meghan has called on experts in the past; her friend Jessica Mulroney gave her advice for a time, as did the ex-Prada publicist Maria Means Cote.

The fashion industry newsletter, Line Sheet by Lauren Sherman, has claimed that Meghan is being styled by fellow Montecito-ite Jamie Mizrahi – most famous for orchestrating Adele’s glamorous post-weight-loss look, and who also counts Jennifer Lawrence, Katy Perry, and Jeremy Allen White as clients.

Sources close to both parties have denied to The Telegraph that Mizrahi is styling Meghan – both stated that the women have only worked together once, on a photo shoot. That said, as mothers of young children in the same town, it’s likely that they are part of the same social circuit – and who knows, maybe this will blossom into a more formal working relationship in the future.

For now, it seems that the Duchess is keen for the world to know that she styles herself. There’s no question that she enjoys fashion as a consumer: her wardrobe reads like every style editor’s dream shopping list: The Row, Khaite, Chanel, Hermès.

But what Sherman is right about is that a good stylist is critical when you want to land a brand ambassador role. “Markle needs to make money, and sharpening her look could be the first step in something bigger,” she says. “Not only should she be gunning for endorsements, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she was keen to develop her own fashion line

Quite. And that’s why the Duchess could benefit from the services of a stylist – Mizrahi or otherwise.

This is what she could learn if she chooses to “do an Adele” and carve a sharper, more deliberate style image…

Gain exclusive access to designers
You can have all the money in the world, but only a stylist who has longstanding relationships with luxury brands can get hold of one-off pieces – the kind that never make it into stores. For Adele, Mizrahi has commissioned bespoke gowns by Daniel Roseberry at Schiaparelli, Nicolas Ghesquière at Louis Vuitton, Proenza Schouler and Pierpaolo Piccioli at Valentino. She’ll have also served as a valuable go-between for the client and the designer
Looking like a star takes time and influence,” says London-based personal stylist Annabel Hodin, who works with high-profile individuals. “A stylist can get you must-have pieces, on time, and advise on hair, makeup, and the best talent to use.”

Become a recognisable fashion ‘icon’
Take the way Mizrahi styled Adele, one of the most famous recording artists in the world, for her return to the spotlight in 2021. Everything had to be flawless in each drip-fed image. There’s no way that could have been achieved merely with a Net-a-Porter account and a credit card.

Mizrahi has broadened Adele’s style horizons, dressing her in a range of different designer labels, but the overarching look remains the same: dramatic, sculptural necklines, and fitted, hourglass silhouettes, largely in black. It means that Adele is so easily recognisable, she can be identified from a distance, say, the seats furthest from the stage at one of her concerts. The late Queen was also a champion of this strategy – finding what suits you and sticking to it.

Adele now has an image that is strong, glamorous and consistent. It was carefully crafted, yes, but it didn’t look try-hard. If an Adele fashion line were to launch tomorrow, we’d already have a sense of what it would look like.

Another, more recent Mizrahi client, is Jennifer Lawrence – we’ve seen her in Toteme, The Row, Dior and Givenchy of late. It’s all very “Meghan in Montecito”.

We often see Adele court-side at basketball games with her rumoured fiancé Rich Paul, who is a top sports agent. Even then, she maintains that glossy Brand Adele. Whether she’s in Altuzarra chocolate leather or a cosy knit and trainers, her hair, makeup and nails are always immaculate. She makes just as much effort for these outings as she does when on stage.