As Ever #2 Whatever

[PrettyFlyforaMaiTai]

I noticed the old thread is almost full so thought we could start a new one to carry on the discussion about the rebrand and merching.

Are you an ‘As Ever’ or ‘Whatever’?

link to the old thread: www.mumsnet.com/talk/the_royal_family/5277002-as-ever

I guess in this instance she couldn't ignore it, it's a massive blunder, and there is no way even Lainey could put a positive spin on it. However, she also contributed to that negative Vanity Fair article, so I don't know what's caused the shift in her devotion to MM.

I don’t really follow M and H so I’m a little confused. Can some please explain all the various ventures they’ve done and how they differ from each other. As far as I can tell they seem to get a name, a website, social media trail and then nothing happens. Ia this correct?

Describing someone as "glowing" always makes me think of what my Granny would say:

"Horses sweat. Gentlemen perspire. Ladies merely glow."

"Partner" is quite a vague word though isn't it?

As I said above, I think if NF were heavily invested in this venture, they'd have got the basics such as a trademark sorted out by now.

Yep.

I think if NF were heavily invested in this venture, they'd have got the basics such as a trademark sorted out by now

That's a very valid point, @IcedPurple, and adds to the impression that they're merely keeping the plates spinning until the time comes to cut loose

The NF contract expires in September so it will be interesting to see if As Ever is a long term idea or just a short term thing.

@Puzzledandpissedoff if all a bit tenuous, why the Netflix are my 'partners' comment? They might think you were pushing your luck a bit and might not get them onside/in agreeable form?

It's fascinating. As ever.

Has she had anything for sale?

Nope.

I honestly don’t get the visceral hatred for Meghan than a lot of people have, but I have to admit she seems hopeless at creating the sort of lifestyle empire she’s been attempting for so long. How many projects/name changes have we had now? She seems to come up with a new idea every week, do a big glamorous reveal and then it fades to nothing while she cooks up the next project and reveal. There doesn’t seem to be any sticking power in getting through teething problems and making a business idea work, she seems to expect them to immediately launch and when they don’t she gives up.

Am I being unfair? I feel like she needs to pick something and stick to it - whether that’s a niche ‘lifestyle’ company, fashion, lecturing on feminism/equality etc (although not sure you can really do the latter as a woman who has taken on her husband’s aristocratic title and described her children as having a royal birthright!)

Personally I think she should stick with fashion as it’s what she is best at.

On here (I have no idea about other SM) there is no hatred, just exactly what you have written.

I just find it all entertaining, you genuinely couldn't make it up.

They put themselves out there, whatever happens they will live as the top few percent in the world.

Wouldn't fancy being a member of the Sussex staff at the moment.

Why doesn't she just resurrect The Tig?

All of her latest brands/rebrands don't seem to correlate with how she's chosen to portray herself previously. Her and Harry have described her laid back Cali style etc throughout the years, yet we have these 'aspirational' faux royal tea party brands. I'm sure if she was being authentic and used her ever crumbling platform to push something she was actually interested in herself people might be more into it.

She just seems to be trying to hang on to royal relevance (despite a lot of people who do support her doing so just because they dislike the royals let's be real), whilst never following through with actually selling anything, and just constantly rebranding no doubt to see if anything sticks.

Rat deserting a sinking ship?

Wanting to be seen as being on the right side of history?

Why doesn't she just resurrect The Tig?

I think because
It would be seen as going backwards
If it failed it would be more personal
It had 3 million followers on IG and 700,000 subscribers - which is obviously good but not great
It made about 80K a year, which is small fry if you want to fly in private jets.

Let me think .....😂

@Farreleye I think it might be private v public persona? The real her she keeps back & cherishes her personal & private life so hopes something vaguely Royal & commercial will eventually stick & generate an income. This vague lifestyle stuff that shows her in a good light might be a semi compromise?

It’s all jarring IMO as I had her down as being extremely smart & I can’t help but wonder if wrong? Is she just treading water hoping for the $ without having to show too much of herself into the bargain?

I remember when they left the royal family and there was a lot of ‘palace staff’ talking to the newspapers, they complained H&M would come up with massive projects over breakfast and expect the staff to organise them immediately. They didn’t seem to realise the level of research, planning and preparation these things take, not to mention the ability to maintain momentum and adapt.

I don’t think Meghan is enough of a heavyweight to give speeches on serious topics, I think Smartworks was a good fit for her as it combined her natural aptitude for fashion with a cause she (says she) believes in. It’s a shame that one was ditched. Perhaps a boho jewellery range would’ve suited her as well. But they’ve taken on too much too soon, and their projects have been too broad and undeveloped to find a focus.

That said, where is Harry in all this? What is he doing at the moment?

3 million followers? And now she's on 1.9 despite global publicity? Crikey.

Personally I think she should stick with fashion as it’s what she is best at.

I don't think she is that good at fashion. I've liked some things she has worn, but so often what she wears is inappropriate for the occasion, or poorly presented - ill fitting, crumpled.

At this rate she might do best just setting up a go fund me page. Her die hard fans would probably happily contribute, and she’d need not worry about having to set up a manufacturing and shipping business, which sounds like hard work. Or does she even need the money? And if not why bother trying to sell jam. It’s all very strange indeed.

That's a very good question, actually.

Do H&M need the money or not?

Well they no longer have access to RF funds and they have to fund their own mansion, security and v expensive lifestyle. They probably have a clutch of staff who will commend pretty high salaries. Despite their contempt for ‘inequality’ I’m guessing their children will go to private schools. Their costs will be in the millions every year. I honestly can’t see how they will be able to keep this up for 20+ years?