Sealed over a steaming cup of mint tea, how Duchess unleashed her inner mermaid in Vogue
THE Duchess of Sussex has given an extraordinary insight into her social activism and political credo by personally penning a guest editor’s letter for Vogue, celebrating ‘the power of the collective’.
Addressing readers of the magazine, she boldly declares she wants to set a different tone in a world ‘where judgment can become clouded and focus skewed towards the superficial’.
Instead, she says, she wants to focus on ‘positivity, kindness, humour and inclusivity’ and ethical and sustainable fashion brands. She even promises a beauty section ‘that puts its energy towards internal beauty’ rather than physical aesthetics.
The duchess also offers a caveat for readers, reminding them that the magazine requires pages of adverts that may not chime with her overall ethos but ‘just come with the territory’.
Meghan cites feminist author Anais Nin – famed for writing female erotica – as one of her major inspirations, referencing a quote by one of her characters which says: ‘I must be a mermaid, Rango. I have no fear of depths and a great fear of shallow living.’
The release of the letter, ahead of the magazine’s publication on Friday, comes after it was revealed that Meghan had chosen 15 female trailblazers to feature on the cover of what will be a special Forces For Change edition of the 100-year-old fashion bible. Meghan, the first to guest edit its prestig
‘Shine light in a world filled with darkness’
ious September issue, reveals that she sealed the Vogue deal over mint tea with editor-in-chief Edward Enninful.
And she recalls how, after being offered the chance to appear on its front cover – as Princess Diana and the Duchess of Cambridge have – she sent a text message to Mr Enninful asking whether she could take charge of whole edition, signed with the single letter ‘M’.
Writing with what she suggests is a touch of bashfulness, she says: ‘Over a steaming cup of mint tea, we teased through how one can shine light in a world filled with seemingly daily darkness. Lofty? Of course. Worth it? Without question.
‘So I asked the question. Actually, I typed and deleted the question several times until I built up the courage to ask the question in question. “Edward... instead of doing the cover, would you be open to me guest editing your September issue?” (Mind you, I know how important the September issue is for the fashion industry. I realise the reach, and I see the opportunity to be a part of fashion’s push for something greater, kinder, more impactful. But I am also a little nervous to be boldly asking the editor-in-chief, whom I’d only just met, to take a chance on me.)
‘And then it appeared, EE’s reply: “Yes! I would love for you to be my guest editor”.
‘Sitting on my sofa at home, two dogs [one is a labrador puppy the Sussexes have refused to name or discuss publicly] nestled across me, I quietly celebrated when the words appeared on my screen.’ The result is that instead of having a single model on the front page of the most influential edition of any fashion magazine ahead of the autumn catwalk shows, Meghan’s issue features 15 women she admires, including celebrities, politicians and activists known for championing issues such as diversity, body positivity, transgender rights and climate change.
They include mental health campaigner Adowa Aboah, Orange Is The New Black actress Laverne Cox and teenage environmental protester Greta Thunberg.
Meghan says that within a week of their first meeting, she and Mr Enninful were discussing ideas but she was already clear where she wanted to go.
Citing Nin’s influence, she writes: ‘For this issue, I imagined, why would we swim in the shallow end of the pool when we could go to the deep end? A metaphor for life, as well as for this issue. Let’s be braver. Let’s go a bit deeper.
‘That’s what Edward and I have aimed to achieve. An issue of both substance and levity. It is, after all, the September issue of British Vogue.’ Meghan’s ethos is woven through the magazine but she adds: ‘More than anything, this issue is about the power of the collective. In identifying our personal
‘Let’s be braver, go a bit deeper’
strengths, it is anchored in the knowledge that we are even stronger together. You will find that spirit of inclusivity on the cover: diverse portraiture of women of varying age, colour, creed, nationality and life experience, and of unquestionable inspiration. ‘These are our forces for change. And among all of these strong women on the cover, a mirror – a space for you, the reader, to see yourself. Because you, too, are part of this collective.’
Apparently taking a dig at the advertisers who provide a lucrative source of income for the magazine – perhaps ironic given her championing of designer clothes – she says: ‘There is one caveat: This is a magazine. It’s still a business... there will be advertising sections that are requisite for every issue, so while I feel confident that you’ll feel my thumbprint on most pages, please know that there are elements that just come with the territory.
‘The overall sentiment I hope you’ll find, however, will be one of
positivity, kindness, humour and inclusivity.’
Meghan ends by saying that the experience of working on the issue while pregnant, and then on maternity leave with son Archie, has been a ‘joy’.
Responding, Mr Enninful says he has had a ‘deep and profound respect’ for the duchess – whom he describes as a ‘brilliant, biracial, American powerhouse’ – since she ‘first began to navigate the waters of the British establishment’.
Describing her as ‘an influential beacon of change’, he adds: ‘And then there is the gently modernising manner in which she has approached her new role at the centre of Britain’s public life. From negotiating first-time motherhood within an ancient institution to changing how we frame the conversation around women who face rabid media interest, her positive influence is everywhere.
‘I simply never imagined that, in my lifetime, someone of my colour would – or could – enter the highest echelons of our Royal Family.’
The September issue of British Vogue, guest-edited by the Duchess of Sussex, is available on news-stands and digital download on Friday.