Did Meghan Markle Really Keep $1,700 Dress From Photoshoot?
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, is facing allegations that she kept a $1,695 designer dress after a photoshoot. The controversy surrounds an emerald green Galvan "Ushuaia" dress that Markle wore during a 2022 photoshoot for Variety magazine. The dress resurfaced recently in a promotional video for her Netflix holiday special, "With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration," sparking speculation that she may have taken the dress from the shoot without permission.
Following the release of the trailer, some fashion insiders claimed that the Duchess of Sussex took the dress from the shoot without asking. This reignited previous rumors about Markle's borrowing etiquette during photoshoots. Veteran journalist Vanessa Grigoriadis had discussed the issue in Andrew Gold's "Heretics" podcast, claiming that several items lent to Markle for a photoshoot had gone missing.
In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for Meghan Markle has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. The spokesperson stated that "the insinuation that any items were taken without the full knowledge and agreement of the on-set stylists or their respective teams is not only categorically false but also highly defamatory". They further asserted that "any items kept were done so in total transparency and in accordance with contractual arrangements".
Some sources claim that it is a normal practice for talent to retain items from photoshoots for various reasons, including preventing unauthorized auctions and potential resale. It is also believed that as a royal, Markle was required to archive all her looks, so it was known that when things were pulled, they may not be returned.
The reemergence of this issue has ignited a broader discussion about celebrity borrowing etiquette and the handling of valuable garments used by public figures in media projects. Instances of celebrities allegedly mishandling loaned items have surfaced in the past, such as Katy Perry, who allegedly "lost" a couture dress, and Lindsay Lohan, who became notorious for returning loaned items torn or unusable.
The controversy surrounding the $1,695 dress highlights the intense scrutiny that Meghan Markle faces as a public figure. Since stepping down from their royal duties and moving to the US, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been subject to constant media attention and public debate.
As of now, no photographer, stylist, or agency involved in the original shoot has publicly confirmed that the gown was taken without permission. The only official statement on the matter remains Markle's denial through her spokesperson. The special "With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration" is set to air on Netflix on December 3.
In addition to the green Galvan dress, Markle was also seen in an $8,000 Chanel tweed dress that she wore for The Cut's August 2022 profile, titled Meghan of Montecito.
