‘Markle effect’ boost for designer fashions

A SMALL Scottish handbag manufacturer was an early beneficiary of the “Markle effect” yesterday, after Prince Harry’s future wife chose to carry one of their accessories on her first Royal engagement.

Meghan chose a £455 Strathberry tri-colour leather midi tote with dual top handles for their walkabout in Nottingham.

Strathberry is based in Edinburgh and was founded just four years ago.

The firm said: “It was a fantastic surprise to see that Meghan selected one of our styles to carry on her first royal engagement.”

The bag was now sold out but would be “restocked soon”, a spokesman added.

London based Finlay & Co, founded by David Lochhead from Aberdeen and Dane Butler from Hampshire, sold out of sunglasses after Ms Markle wore a pair at the Invictus games in September and has seen a 1,000 per cent increase in website sales.

On the Nottingham visit, Ms Markle wrapped up against the cold in a double-breasted cashmere wool blend Elodie coat, with classic epaulettes and buttoned cuff.

She has long been a customer of the Mackage label, whose outerwear has also been worn by the pop star Madonna.

The Canadian brand’s signature tailored coats have been spotted, too, on the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Halle Berry, Eva Mendes and Blake Lively.

The Elodie costs about £585 and is now said to be a sold-out design.

Ms Markle wore the coat over what was thought to be a beige cotton full midi skirt from the British luxury fashion label Joseph, priced at about £595, and a black turtleneck by Wolford.

Though the Duchess of Cambridge rarely carries a handbag on public engagements, the Queen is famous for them, favouring those from the Walsallbased designer Launer.