Meghan Markle Invests in Luxury Handbag Brand Crafted in Rwanda

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has once again shown her dedication to supporting women-owned businesses by investing in Cesta Collective, a sustainable luxury brand that creates handcrafted basket bags in Rwanda and finishes them in Italy.

As reported by The New York Times, Markle first discovered the brand during a routine online shopping session.

“I spend a lot of time searching online, looking for new brands,” Markle explained in a phone interview. “When others are browsing the internet, I’m often looking for great new designers, especially from different parts of the world.”

Markle’s influence on Cesta Collective was immediate. After she was spotted carrying one of their handbags during a May 2023 dinner with Prince Harry, Cameron Diaz, Gwyneth Paltrow, and their spouses, the brand saw a huge spike in sales. Erin Ryder, one of Cesta’s founders, recalled the moment:

“We were on our way to Mexico for a photoshoot. When we got off the plane and reconnected to the internet, we saw that one of our bag styles, which hadn’t been selling well, was suddenly sold out, and there were lots of requests for restocks. We quickly realized Meghan had worn the bag.”

This led to a close relationship between Markle, Ryder, and Cesta’s co-founder, Courtney Fasciano. In the summer of 2024, Markle became the brand’s first outside investor. Although the exact details of her investment aren’t public, Ryder and Fasciano confirmed that Markle owns a small part of the company.

Markle enjoys using her public appearances to highlight small, up-and-coming brands. “When I know people will be paying attention to what I’m wearing, I like to support designers I have good relationships with and help smaller brands that deserve more attention,” she said. “Just wearing something like a pair of earrings can make a big difference for these brands.”

Cesta Collective, founded by Ryder and Fasciano, focuses on ethical production and fair wages for their artisans. Despite their bags being sold for hundreds of dollars and the company making around $1 million a year, Ryder and Fasciano are still the only full-time employees.

Their main goal, similar to Markle’s, is to empower women and expand their business into new markets, particularly by working with female artisans in developing countries.

For Markle, promoting brands like Cesta is a way to support others in a more collaborative and positive manner. “I see myself as a dolphin, not a shark,” she said, referring to her approach to investing, which she calls the “dolphin tank,” a nod to the popular show “Shark Tank.”

Markle’s growing investment portfolio now includes five to ten brands, each chosen because they align with her values and her own brand, American Riviera Orchard. “These are friendly waters,” Markle added, emphasizing the positive impact she hopes to make through her investments, both in helping others and in her own ventures.