Meghan Marklehas had a lot of major royal moments this year (Beyoncé called her “my princess,”after all!), but there’s one in particular that she’s describing as “so profoundly compelling.”
In BritishVogue’s September issue,which Meghan guest edited, the Duchess of Sussex shares personal details aboutone of her first patronages, Smart Works, a charity that provides clothes and coaching to unemployed women in need.
“The reason I was drawn to Smart Works is that it reframes the idea of charity as community, which, for me, is incredibly important: it’s a network of women supporting and empowering other women in their professional pursuits,”Meghan wrote in the issue.
She went on to say that it’s not just about donated clothes, “it’s about looking at that special item you’re holding on to – the memory of that suit or dress that helped you achieve your dream job – and wanting to pay it forward. Not a hand-me-down, but rather a hand being held.”
Karwai Tang/Getty
Meghan Markle.SussexRoyal/Instagram
Meghan has made several visits to the Smart Workscenter this year — both privately and publicly. She even sharedpreviously unseen photos of her visits, which occurred during her pregnancy with Archie. And each visit made a real impact on the royal.
“It’s the enthusiasm of the volunteers, the earnestness of the staff and, most of all, the blushing, bashful and beautiful smile that crosses a client’s face when she sees herself in the mirror, that I have found so profoundly compelling. Because in that moment, she feels special and emboldened,” Meghan wrote.
SussexRoyal/Instagram
Meghan also announced that she ispartnering with her designer friend, Misha Nonoo, to create a capsule collection of women’s workwear to benefit Smart Works.
“When you walk into a Smart Works space you’re met with racks of clothing and an array of bags and shoes,” Meghan said. “Sometimes, however, it can be a potpourri of mismatched sizes and colors, not always the right stylistic choices or range of sizes.”
source: people.com
