The Duchess of Sussex is building her growing portfolio of business ventures and has become an investor in handbag company Cesta Collective. Adding to her lifestyle empire, Meghan has already previously backed brands like Clevr Lattes and her soon-to-be launched home goods line American Riviera Orchard.
Now, she’s turning to fashion and will utilize her high profile to highlight designers she believes will soar — with a focus on female founded and sustainable brands.
Meghan’s new investment will be a boon for Cesta Collective — the women led team behind the handbag line, Erin Ryder and Courtney Fasciano, have already praised the duchess for the impact on their sales. Ryder told the New York Times that when Meghan wore their bucket bag they, “had more sales in one day than we’ve ever had.”
The line of handmade bags no doubt serves to appease consumers with their chic wares but the story behind the brand is even more compelling. Offering women in Rwanda the opportunity to work as female artisans and paying them significantly higher wages than the national average salary, the brand provides a positive social impact while promoting gender equality.
Meghan’s handwoven bags are not only made by women in East Africa, they’re created using locally sourced and renewable resources. The brand’s ethically made accessories are handwoven and then sent to Italy to be finished with sustainable materials.
Meghan has carried a variety of bags from the label which designs their basket bags in New York. The duchess has carried canvas totes, bucket bags, clutches and crossbody styles from Cesta Collective.
Here are Meghan Markle’s Favorite Cesta Handbags:
Cesta Bucket Bag in Neutral Melange
This stylish ivory bag is made in Italy and is designed with a natural cotton canvas upper and basket bottom handwoven in Rwanda. Distinguished by its drawstring closure with hand-tooled 18-karat gold plated brass hardware, this bag comes equipped with an adjustable leather crossbody strap.
Meghan carried the bag in May 2023 on a date night with Cameron Diaz at the Santa Barbara restaurant the Sushi Bar. She wore her Heidi Merrick chocolate brown Napoleon dress to the local eatery.
Cesta Braided Canvas Tote in Natural and Navy Stripe
A bag designed for travel, this functional tote is equipped with lots of pockets and additional compartments and is even roomy enough for a laptop. A unique and custom-woven piece, this shoulder bag is decorated with textured navy braiding and finished with black nappa leather accents.
Meghan carried this bag in November 2023 on a lunch date with pal Kelly McKee Zajfen in Montecito. She wore the bag with a casual Bleusalt crewneck in black and La Ligne high waist canvas shorts in mushroom.
Cesta Suede Clutch in Tobacco
Handmade in Italy from luxurious velvet suede, this stylish organizer can serve as a compact cosmetic bag or a chic clutch. Perfect for travel, this bag is constructed with ethically made suede.
The duchess was seen carrying the bag for a lunch date in Beverly Hills with Claire Waight Keller in February 2024. For dining at Cipriani restaurant, Meghan wore her Max Mara Lilia cashmere wrap coat in the shade tobacco.
Cesta Crossbody Bag in Olive Grove and Panna
Meghan owns two of the brand’s front flap crossbody bags featuring whipstitch detailing. In addition, the crossbody has a drawstring closure for extra security and hand-tooled brass hardware.
Meghan carried the olive green bag at the Invictus Games in September 2023 in Germany in a Zara jumpsuit and was seen with the ‘Panna’ cream colored bag in Colombia wearing a Johanna Ortiz black crop top and skirt in August 2024.
Cesta Collective Taco Tote in Olive Grove
A vegetable dyed U-shaped raffia bag, this chic tote is made with a hand-braided handle and vegetable tanned Italian nappa leather.
Meghan was spotted wearing the bag at a hotel in Miami, Florida in April 2024 where Prince Harry was playing in the Sentebale charity polo match with friend Nacho Figueras.
