Meghan Markle Provides Clothing Donations to Teenagers Affected by Wildfires
Meghan Markle has been quietly honing her styling skills while volunteering for a charitable cause, where she assisted young girls devastated by the recent wildfires on the West Coast. She generously donated a vast array of clothing and accessories to those who lost everything in the disaster.
Avery Colvert, a 14-year-old founder of the Altadena Girls Recovery Fund, shared her experience in an exclusive feature for Marie Claire. Colvert was inspired to act after witnessing the severe impact of the wildfires that recently struck Southern California.
She was pleasantly surprised when the Duchess of Sussex, 37, along with the Archewell Foundation, offered their support, turning her initiative into a fully operational nonprofit with plans for growth.
“I felt really bad that I didn’t lose my home because almost everybody I knew lost everything in the fire,” Colvert recounted. “Their homes, their cars, their belongings—all gone.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have consistently advocated for charity. Their philanthropic efforts have been a significant part of their relationship, both while they were serving as prominent members of the British royal family and following their decision to step back in January 2020. Prior to meeting Meghan in 2016, Harry organized the […]
In the immediate aftermath of the wildfires, Colvert began gathering essential items and clothing for the local victims. Working alongside her stepdad, Matt Chait, she devised a plan.
“We would collect items from anyone willing to donate and host a sort of free fair for a day,” Colvert elaborated. Acting like any teenager, she decided to include items like skincare products, accessories, and makeup—“everything a teenage girl would desire.”
The initiative quickly gained attention from numerous celebrities, including Demi Lovato, Paris Hilton, Ariana Grande, Kerry Washington, Charli XCX, and Bella Hadid. However, it was Markle’s personal involvement that had the greatest effect, as highlighted by Colvert in her interview.
The Duchess not only contributed fashionable outfits and accessories but also spent hours styling the young women impacted by the wildfires. In a remarkable gesture, Markle took personal styling lessons to better assist these girls in selecting outfits, helping them rediscover their “confidence and sense of self,” as noted by Colvert.
“All the girls who participated were styled by Meghan Markle,” Colvert shared with Marie Claire, emphasizing the emotional resonance of the Duchess’s presence, remarking that several of the young women were brought to tears upon meeting the former Suits actress and passionate humanitarian.
The involvement of Prince Harry and Markle’s Archewell Foundation extended beyond immediate fashion assistance. The foundation was instrumental in securing a larger, 12,000-square-foot office space for the charity in Pasadena, enabling the fund to evolve into a full-time nonprofit.
Markle’s contributions to the fund echo her commitment to fashion-driven philanthropy. As the patron of Smart Works, a UK-based charity that provides interview attire for women seeking employment, she has maintained her support even after moving to the United States.
On the occasion of Smart Works’ 10th anniversary in September 2023, she issued a statement highlighting the charity’s comprehensive approach: “At Smart Works, you offer much more than just a handout; you extend a hand to hold,” she said.
Markle also introduced a limited-edition clothing line in 2019, collaborating with purpose-driven brands like Marks & Spencer and John Lewis. Her partnership with the Scottish handbag label Strathberry has resulted in a notable profit surge, according to a recent MSN article published on February 4.
Whatever Markle dons tends to sell out in record time, and her complimentary personal styling sessions with the teenagers from the Altadena Girls Recovery Fund surely made them feel like real-life royalty for a day—a truly charitable and stylish initiative.
