Meghan Markle’s Handbag Venture Faces Backlash Over Artisan Wages

Meghan Markle's foray into the luxury handbag industry was meant to be a triumphant moment, but it has instead sparked controversy and criticism.

The launch of Sester Collective, a brand that claims to empower Rwandan women artisans, has turned into a dramatic tale of irony and disappointment.

What was intended as a celebration of ethical fashion has quickly morphed into a narrative filled with skepticism and discontent.

Earlier this year, Meghan proudly announced her investment in Sester Collective, promoting it as a beacon of female empowerment in Rwanda.

However, the reality behind the scenes paints a starkly different picture.

Reports reveal that the very artisans she aimed to uplift are earning as little as 10 pence an hour while their handcrafted bags sell for upwards of £700.

This raises a critical question: is this truly empowerment, or merely exploitation wrapped in a shiny marketing package?

The artisans creating these handbags are far from living the luxurious lifestyles enjoyed by Meghan and her New York-based partners, Erin Ryder and Courtney Weinblatt-Fasciano.

Ryder, a graduate of Parsons School of Design, has spent her time skiing while overseeing operations in Rwanda.

Meanwhile, Fasciano enjoys life in a chic apartment worth £692,000, thanks to her Ivy League education and a previous Goldman Sachs career.

In stark contrast, the hardworking women crafting these bags struggle to make ends meet.

Initially, Sester Collective boasted about compensating these artisans at rates 500 to 700% above the national average.

However, after Meghan's involvement, this claim mysteriously vanished, replaced with a statement suggesting that the women now set their own wages.

But can we really believe that these artisans have the luxury to choose between 82 pence and starvation?

And if their bags fail quality control, they receive no payment at all.

Some even have to cover the costs of their materials and workspace rentals themselves.

Take Illuminae Bayisabe, one artisan who shared her story.

After three days of labor on a crossbody bag priced at £724, she earned a mere £2.48.

This isn't just a hefty markup; it feels like a slap in the face for those genuinely trying to make a living.

Meanwhile, Meghan describes this entire situation as “incredible.” It's hard to see what's so remarkable about such a tone-deaf approach to empowerment.

In a twist that adds to the intrigue, reports surfaced that Meghan had plans for her own limited edition handbag collection.

However, those plans have been postponed, likely due to the overwhelming backlash.

The question remains: who is actually eager to purchase a handbag adorned with her name?

Judging by the online reactions, the interest appears to be nonexistent.

Social media users and fashion critics have not held back in their critiques.

Terms like “poverty porn” and “exploitative” have been thrown around, with British influencer Georgie James calling out the brand for profiting off the stories of Rwandan women while compensating them poorly.

“This isn't ethical fashion; it's a marketing strategy that exploits the most vulnerable,” she stated, highlighting the glaring discrepancies in the brand's messaging.

Public comments have been particularly scathing.

Many have expressed their disdain, with one user stating they wouldn't touch anything associated with Meghan.