Photo: Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, in the Outland Denim Harriet jean while out on the boat with husband Prince Harry of Wales. October 21^st 2018. Credit: Pool/Samir Hussein/Getty Images 

DUCHESS OF SUSSEX MEGHAN MARKLE’S APPEARANCE IN OUTLAND DENIM CREATES LIFE-CHANGING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG WOMEN IN NEED

Toronto, Ontario – The Duchess of Sussex’s numerous appearances in Outland Denim while in Australia for the official Royal Tour, is impacting more than just sales. Through Outland Denim’s dedication to social change, the “Meghan Markle effect” is creating life changing opportunities for vulnerable women in high-risk situations around the world.

Outland Denim, the brand worn by Meghan Markle several times in the last week, has revealed, thanks to the “Markle Effect”, it will be possible to employ a further 15 to 30 seamstresses in its Cambodian production house in coming weeks, and the recruitment process has already begun.

The company, founded in 2011, offers formerly enslaved or exploited young women training and employment pathways, and has since evolved to equip women in positions of varying vulnerability, including those leaving exploitative situations within garment factories, those with physical disabilities, and those who have been trafficked for labour. The key to its business model is mitigating the women’s risk of exploitation through skills acquisition, living wages, education programs and life skills development.

“It is quite remarkable to think The Duchess of Sussex’s influence means more jobs almost immediately. This means women will be able to earn a living wage, provide for their children in terms of nutrition, care and education, and will gain new skills and confidence in a positive workplace environment.” –  James Bartle, Outland Denim founder

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived in Dubbo, New South Wales, on Wednesday the 17 of October, with the Duchess wearing the ethical brand’s Harriet jean in Black with a blazer, white shirt and black boots. A repeat appearance occurred on Sunday, October 21 with Markle appearing in her now favourite Harriet jean and a pair of ethical Veja sneakers during her boat ride to watch the Invictus Games sailing event with husband, Prince Harry of Wales, after a lunch with the Australian Prime Minister. The Duchess also wore the jean before embarking from Hervey Bay to Fiji.

Outland received an immediate spike in website traffic with visitors from Uruguay to Russia resulting in a plethora of denim sales – the Harriet in Black has been the crowd favourite, selling out almost instantly in Australia with a sizeable waitlist.

“We are overwhelmed and humbled by the support shown following the Duchess’s numerous appearances in Outland Denim earlier this week,” said Outland Denim founder James Bartle. “We are absolutely thrilled Meghan chose to wear Outland Denim, using her significant influence to create positive change in the lives of many young women.”

Outland’s jeans are crafted in Cambodia by a team of dedicated staff who have graduated from the company’s coveted in-house training program to become skilled cutters, seamstresses and pattern makers. Earlier this year Outland was also awarded an A+ rating in the Ethical Fashion Report published by Baptist World Aid. It is Australia’s first B CorporationⓇ denim brand.

Outland Denim is passionate about creating versatile, high-quality wardrobe staples that provide employment and training opportunities to young women who have experienced sexual exploitation, slavery, poverty and other human rights abuses. Outland’s jeans are crafted by its team of seamstresses using the finest, responsibly sourced raw materials from around the world in its stand-alone production facility in Cambodia. The brand is a part of the global movement toward a fashion industry that promotes human dignity while reducing environmental impact. Outland is Australia’s first Certified B CorporationⓇ denim brand.