The Interview: Meghan Markle SS15

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MEGHAN MARKLE

Philanthropist, writer, foodie: there’s more to this LA actress than meets the eye. The Style Report uncovers the many sides to Meghan Markle.

Words by Ivy Storvik.

Meghan Markle is in her element. Tucked away in the heart of London’s Knightsbridge in the elegantly relaxed dining room of discreet Italian restaurant Toto’s, talk has turned to food and the 33-year-old actor has visibly brightened. A self-confessed foodie, Los Angeles-born Markle is animatedly discussing the merits of Korean food (‘It’s everywhere in LA, but you don’t see it so much in London’) and Maldon sea salt (‘I love it on everything, sweet and savoury’). Her interest in all things lifestyle is there for the world to see on her website, The Tig (thetig.com), of which she is founder, editor and writer. Featuring interviews with subjects from Elizabeth Hurley to Serena Williams, and peppered with a mix of food, fashion, travel and beauty, the site, which launched last year, represents ‘very much a part of how I live my life’. That would be more than enough of a day job for most people, you’d think? Not so for Markle.

It’s as whipsmart paralegal Rachel Zane in big-hitting US legal drama Suits that she is best known (previous roles include Jamie in Horrible Bosses and Megan in Remember Me). Such is her character’s popularity that even Zane’s perfectly coiffed hairstyle is written into Markle’s contract – in case you wondered, it can never be tied back. Markle acknowledges the many parallels between herself and her on-screen alter ego. ‘When you do a show for that long, inevitably a part of you seeps into the character. Right from the beginning, the producers were really conscious of that – they made Rachel a foodie, because they know that I am,’ she says. ‘By nature, Rachel has always been the moral compass of the show. I’m certainly not virtuous, but I do try to live my life in a way that makes me proud. The biggest difference is that I would never want to be a lawyer – ever!’ She laughs raucously at the thought, ‘But I’m happy to champion her in trying to become one.’

Championing women is at the heart of what she stands for. Recently, Markle was part of a global force for change through her work as a presenter for the UN Women’s He For She campaign, which featured Emma Watson’s keynote speech, and she has now been named as UN Women Advocate for Women's Leadership and Political Participation. She talks to The Style Report about feminism, family and the importance of feeling inspired.

How did you become an actor? I read that you were discovered at a party?

‘Yeah, it was a holiday party. I’d been working at the US embassy then in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and I went home for a party, and this manager named Drew had seen me. He approached a friend of mine from college and asked her if I was an actor. I’d done a student film for her when we were in university together, so she gave him the film the next day. He called me and said, “You’re going to make money, and I want to take 10 per cent”. He was like, “I think you need to stay in LA.” Then you fast forward all these years of not working and trying to figure it out, and I’m just so grateful that all the stars came into alignment for Suits, because it’s changed my life.’

Was acting something you always saw yourself doing?

‘I loved the idea of it. I was always comfortable on a TV set because my dad was a lighting director, but I didn’t think I’d be an actor. I wanted to produce – I liked the behind the scenes. I studied theatre at university; I double majored in that and international relations. I just didn’t want to be a cliché, I never wanted to be this girl who was like, “I’m from LA, and people tell me that I’m pretty sometimes, so maybe I should be an actor!”’

You are LA born and bred – what do you love about the city and miss about it when you are away?

‘I miss everything about it – the lifestyle, the warmth, the green juices on every corner, the familiarity of every turn, the palm trees, the heat of the sun and the ocean breeze, my mom and friends, the drive up the coast to Big Sur and Wine Country… I truly miss it all.’

What’s the story behind your lifestyle website, The Tig?

‘I would say that it’s the breeding ground for an inspired lifestyle – I want people to come to it and if they hadn’t ever thought of camper van-ing through New Zealand, or tasting something foreign, to open up their mind-set – from travel, to food, to fashion, to accepting and understanding people – and just give it a shot. Some people go to the site for fashion and are thrilled to see Olivia Palermo and Heidi Klum there, but I want those same people who may not know who [the poet] Fatima Bhutto is to go, “Oh wow, that’s just as cool and would have never been on my radar.”’

You’re a passionate philanthropist and, through your work with UN Women, a champion of women – have you always felt strongly about this?

‘I was 11 or 12 years old when I became a member of the National Organization for Women in the States. I’ve always been a young feminist, and looking back, I guess there are all kinds of pieces to that puzzle. It’s always been important to me to be vocal about what I feel is right, whether that’s as a woman, or being bi-racial [her mother is African-American and her father is of Dutch-Irish descent]. I think so much of it is when you can’t find which box you can tick, or where you fit in. My dad always taught me to just make your own box, so that’s always been part of how I moved in the world since I was young. An outspoken little one – oh, my goodness, a handful! But I think it’s just who I am.’

I just didn’t want to be a cliché, I never wanted to be this girl who was like, ‘I’m from LA, and people tell me what I’m pretty sometimes, so maybe I should be an actor!’

Your character Rachel is quite pulled together, quite groomed. Would you say the same of your own personal style?

‘It’s a lot more relaxed than Rachel’s. If I think about my style icons, I love [stylist] Géraldine Saglio, and [French Vogue editor] Emmanuelle Alt. The way I dress is really monochromatic or tonal, and I like really classic pieces. I also love that French way of styling, where if your outfit is pulled together, then something’s got to be dishevelled – your hair, your make-up. Whereas with Rachel, everything is just polished and perfect. There’s something really pretty about effortless beauty.’

What’s your go-to red-carpet look?

‘I used to try to wear what people told me looked great, as opposed to what I was comfortable in. Now, the designer I wear so often on the red carpet is Lanvin – just beautifully crafted, simple silhouettes. I wore this really beautiful, nude-coloured gown to the American Ballet Theatre opening, and it just fits me to a T. Wear what makes you comfortable, and isn’t going to make you cringe in three years when you see the photo. I’m not very trend driven. I’ll pepper it in here and there, but invest in classic pieces and you’ll never regret it.’

I’m guessing you do a lot of travelling – do you have packing down to a fine art?

‘Oh, my goodness, yes! I should do a Tig guide to packing! It’s easy because I dress monochromatically. I always have a pair of black leather pants, black jeans, dark denim jeans, boyfriend jeans, and I travel with a lot of flats, because they’re easy to change up an outfit. One bag, a clutch, and in this season, always a black turtle neck. Maybe a silk blouse, a blazer, maybe a dress. You have to keep it simple.’

What about beauty tricks – do you have any hero products or top tips?

‘I do a five-minute face. I use Laura Mercier’s illuminating primer, it makes your skin look really radiant. On top I’ll put a drop of Chanel foundation – I always mix a drop of face oil in, so it still looks like skin. Then I use Yves Saint Laurent’s Babydoll Mascara and whatever Chapstick I have in my bag, a little bit of blush and then fill in my eyebrows. You could do it in the back seat of a car if you needed to.’

What advice would you give to someone starting out in their career?

‘Don’t give it five minutes if you’re not going to give it five years. Really assess if it’s what you want, and when you decide to give it a proper go, resolve to stick with it. Give it a shot before giving up – especially in this industry, which can be incredibly hard on your spirit.’

And finally, what are your hopes for the future?

‘To continue my work on Suits for a few seasons, to do some film work, and continue to grow The Tig. To continue doing my work with the UN and championing the role of women in politics and leadership, and to have a family. Those are all equally important to me.’

Meghan Markle has been announced as UN Women Advocate for Women’s Leadership & Political Participation.