Meghan Markle shined at the NYC gala, accepting the ‘Women of Vision’ award in a stunning $12K gold ensemble. Joined by Prince Harry and her mother Doria Ragland, the 41-year-old arrived in style via a Hertz car rental and turned heads in a customized $1.85K Colombian gown by Johanna Ortiz. To better show off her California glow, Megan put her own spin by removing the dress’s original straps.
Adhering to the golden theme, the Duchess complemented her front-slit midi dress with gold strappy ‘naked’ heels by Tom Ford.
The $1,350 sandals boast a minimalist style with a unique key-and-padlock embellishment on the thin ankle strap. Meghan also carried a $1,100 Carolina Herrera Metropolitan Insignia clutch in the same golden shade, previously seen in white at Trooping the Colour in June 2018. In terms of jewelry, the mother-of-two had multiple diamond bracelets on her left wrist.
Among the bracelets, experts reportedly speculate that one may be a Cartier piece once owned by Princess Diana, valued between $18,000 and $150,000.
Additionally, Meghan displayed her beloved $7,350 gold Cartier Love Bracelet, a timeless accessory she has been seen wearing for years. The Duchess, however, sparked controversy with a diamond pinky ring spotted on her right hand. Crafted by renowned jeweler Lorraine Schwartz, the ring allegedly incorporates diamonds gifted to the Sussexes from the Middle East, according to Page Six in 2020.
Meghan had previously showed off the same $62,000 ring on her right hand for the Time magazine cover shoot in September 2021.
As a final touch, the mom-of-two accessorized with a pair of affordable J. Crew hoop earrings. Though the specific design featuring chunky clear stones around the hoop is currently sold out, it effortlessly enhances her overall appearance. However, the event according to the Women of Vision website will see Meghan being championed for her ‘lifelong advocacy for women and girls’.
The Women of Vision website added, ‘Meghan is also a passionate advocate for family rights, and an investor in dynamic female-founded companies,’ the Duchess’ bio on the awards site continues. Meghan is noted as one of the most powerful and influential women in the world, topping lists such as TIME Magazine’s Most Influential People, The Financial Times’ 25 Most Influential Women, Variety Power of Women, and British Vogue’s Vogue 25.’
The site further gushed that the mother-of-two is ‘a feminist, champion of human rights and gender equity, and global role model’.
Teresa C. Younger, the president, and CEO of the Ms. Foundation, also said in a statement last month. ‘We are thrilled to announce this year’s honorees for the Women of Vision Awards and to celebrate 50 years of progress and power.’ She added that Meghan & Black Lives Matter co-founder LaTosha Brown ‘are incredible leaders, and we are grateful to be able to shine a light on their many accomplishments and tireless work on behalf of gender and racial equity across the country and the world.’
Meanwhile, Johanna Ortiz, the designer of Meghan’s evening dress, originates from Colombia. Driven by a deep love for fashion, she studied Fashion Design at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, expanding her knowledge in New York and Paris. Eventually returning to her roots, she established her brand, where she captivates the fashion world with her exceptional creativity. On her website, Johanna makes clear her commitment to women’s empowerment and advocacy,
Her bio reads, ‘Johanna has kept her commitment to social causes and female empowerment a cornerstone of her design and business ethos. ‘Today her vision has materialized into a successful business that employs over 450 individuals, most of whom are women heads-of-household. She has crossed borders, becoming an international fashion guru known for her distinct silhouettes, unique prints, and general “joie de vivre” in every collection.’
‘Johanna is inspired by her environment, from the biodiverse richness of her beloved Colombia and Latin America to the strong female spirit enshrined in the women surrounding her, her travels, and her inner spiritual world. Her unbridled love of color and print, her couture knowledge of silhouette and fit, and her unabashed air of exuberant elegance has made her brand a coveted treasure for all fashion admirers.
‘For twenty years, the JO brand has grown organically and sustainably, stitch by stitch, collection by collection, and most importantly, person by person. The brand has developed an exclusive design language from a foundation based on the power of the feminine and a celebration of the exquisite.’ Notably, the brand has previously been worn by a host of celebrities, including Kate Hudson, Jennifer Garner, Mandy Moore, and Anna Faris.
