Revenue from The Smart Set

Duchess Meghan is strong, assertive, intelligent and compassionate. This is what drove Meghan to choose her charities. Smart Work is a charity which Meghan, Duchess of Sussex is patron. Most non profit organizations are consumed with raising revenue to keep the doors open and fulfill the mission of the organization. Clients receive one-on-one interview preparation and an outfit to help them secure employment. The business savvy Meghan, Duchess of Sussex is an out of the box problem solver. She came up with the idea of The Smart Set Work wear collection. It is the Duchess of Sussex’s strategy to ensure that Smart Works is sufficiently funded for the next year.

The Duchess created a capsule collection to help equip the women of Smart Works with the key work wear essentials they need as they enter into the workplace. This initiative is supported by four generous brands who share the vision to empower the women of Smart Works to look and feel as they bravely venture in to what can often be a daunting environment for those who have been out of the job market.

The first release of the Smart Set Tote sold out online in pre-selling before the official launch.

2. How does it work?
For every item bought during the sale of the collection, one will be donated to Smart Works. This 1:1 model allows customers to directly support the Smart Works women by playing a part in their success story – how they look and more importantly, how they feel.

  3. Global Marketing & promotion

As a global campaigner for women and their rights worldwide, the Duchess will shine a light on Smart Works, enabling more women to come to our centers and get the job that will transform their lives.

Smart Works CEO Kate Stephens

4. Growth

Smart Works has grown rapidly since Duchess Meghan became patron. In February 2019 Smart Works helped 187 women in London alone a 47% increase from 2018. 

In July 2019 Smart Works dressed 27% more women.

5. Brand Collaborations

The Smart Set is a communal success story which empowers women to get back into the workforce, equipping them with both the skills and clothes they need to feel job-ready. Clients receive one-on-one interview preparation and an outfit to help them secure employment. Retailers Marks & Spencer, John Lewis Partnership Plc, Jigsaw and designer fashion designer Misha Nonoo share this vision to empower women.

The four brands came together in supporting Smart Works on this special project – placing purpose over profit and community over competition. In convening several companies rather than one, we’ve demonstrated how we can work collectively to empower each other – another layer to this communal success story, that I am so proud to be a part of.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex

Marks & Spencer; an established British brand has been struggling in the new retail environment of online shopping with competition from e-retailers. This collaboration generates sales and marketing creating a win-win situation for all parties involved.

Marks & Spencer Shares rose as much as 1.8% early Thursday in London after news of the partnership with Duchess of Sussex.

6. Community Empowerment

It’s a community that I’m so drawn to about it here. It’s not just donating your clothes and seeing where they land, but really being part of each other’s success stories as women. If that’s in the tools that you give or the interview prep that’s happening, every piece of it.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex

The reason why I was drawn to Smart Works is that it reframed the idea of charity as community…..it’s a network of women supporting and empowering other women in their professional pursuits

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex