Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has hinted at a potential entry into the fashion industry, signaling that her lifestyle brand “As Ever” may eventually expand beyond home and hospitality into apparel. In a recent interview with Fast Company published on May 27, 2025, Markle discussed her brand’s growth, her future ambitions, and how she sees fashion as a natural next step—albeit one that remains on the horizon for now.
Building a Lifestyle Empire
Markle launched “As Ever” in April 2025 with a limited selection of handcrafted food and home items that reflected her personal ethos of comfort, sustainability, and connection. The debut collection included artisanal raspberry jam, herbal tea blends, wildflower honey, and curated baking mixes. In a testament to Markle’s influence and market appeal, the initial offerings sold out within 45 minutes, demonstrating immediate commercial success and significant consumer demand.
The brand’s core identity centers around the themes of “home, hospitality, and heartfelt intention,” according to Markle. She emphasized that the company’s guiding vision is about nurturing both the physical space of home and the emotional ties that bind people together. “Our goal is to build a brand that feels like an embrace,” she said in her Fast Company interview.
Fashion on the Horizon
While Markle’s current focus is on expanding “As Ever” into additional hospitality-driven products, she left the door open for a future pivot toward fashion. “I love fashion,” she acknowledged. “It’s something that’s been part of my life and work for years. It’s not part of our roadmap at the moment, but that doesn’t mean it never will be.”
This isn’t Markle’s first brush with fashion entrepreneurship. In 2019, she spearheaded a successful initiative in partnership with several British retailers to launch a women’s workwear collection benefiting the U.K. charity Smart Works. The organization provides coaching and professional attire to unemployed women seeking to reenter the workforce—a cause that aligns closely with Markle’s longstanding commitment to women’s empowerment and philanthropy.
She also launched a curated shopping experience earlier in 2025 through the “ShopMy” platform, where she highlighted a selection of her favorite fashion and lifestyle products. This move, though soft in tone, further solidified her growing presence in the consumer lifestyle space.
Trademark Hurdles and Legal Caution
Despite her openness to exploring fashion, the Duchess faces some legal and logistical hurdles. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office recently issued a partial refusal on her application to trademark the name “As Ever” for apparel, citing similarities to an existing fashion label. While the ruling does not block the use of the brand name for other categories such as food and home goods, it adds a layer of complexity to any immediate expansion into clothing.
Still, Markle and her team remain optimistic. A spokesperson noted that they are reviewing the ruling and exploring all options for future brand extensions while continuing to focus on the current product line’s success.
Media Ventures and Broader Influence
Beyond entrepreneurship, Markle remains an active media figure. Her Netflix lifestyle series With Love, Meghan, which premiered in March 2025, provides a behind-the-scenes look at her approach to cooking, gardening, and family life. The series has received favorable reviews for its warmth and sincerity, reflecting a side of the Duchess that resonates with audiences across generations.
Additionally, Markle hosts a podcast titled Confessions of a Female Founder, which features candid conversations with women navigating the challenges of building businesses in a competitive and often gender-biased landscape. The show blends personal anecdotes with actionable advice, reinforcing Markle’s dedication to mentorship and community.
Looking Forward
As the “As Ever” brand grows, many observers are watching to see whether Markle will eventually translate her personal style—often praised for its blend of modern minimalism and timeless elegance—into a full-fledged fashion line. Given her influence, experience, and clear interest, such a venture seems not just possible, but inevitable.
For now, however, Markle is keeping her focus on building a brand rooted in authenticity, intention, and connection. “I want everything we do to feel meaningful,” she said. “That’s the heart of ‘As Ever.’ Fashion may come, but only if it can serve that purpose too.”