Martha Stewart Challenges Meghan Markle's Lifestyle Brand Authenticity

Martha Stewart's Candid Comments on Lifestyle Brands

Martha Stewart, a well-known figure in the world of lifestyle and home design, recently made some bold remarks about the rise of modern lifestyle brands and their creators. The 83-year-old icon didn’t hold back when discussing her thoughts on Meghan Markle and her brand, As Ever. She expressed a mix of skepticism and curiosity, questioning the authenticity of some public figures who have built their businesses around personal lifestyles.

When asked about how she felt about public figures creating lifestyle brands, Martha shared her perspective with a touch of wit. “Meghan, I don't really know very well. I hope she knows what she's talking about,” she said. Her comments highlighted her belief that authenticity is crucial in any business venture. “Authenticity, to me, is everything, and to be authentic and knowledgeable about your subject matter is extremely important.”

While Martha questioned the authenticity of some new entrants into the lifestyle market, she showed clear admiration for another prominent figure in the space: Gwyneth Paltrow. “Gwyneth has been very successful,” she remarked. “She created quite an interesting body of businesses. She's admired. She won an Oscar for heaven’s sake as an actress! She's pretty powerful.” Despite her critical stance on some lifestyle gurus, Martha remained unfazed by the competition. “I don't mind. Good luck.”

Meghan Markle's As Ever Launch

2025 has been a significant year for Meghan Markle, particularly with the launch of her lifestyle brand, As Ever. The brand, which focuses on home, food, and entertaining products, made a strong debut in April. The initial product drop, which included items like jam, honey, and tea, sold out within an hour. This overwhelming success left Meghan both surprised and grateful.

“I had a feeling there would be excitement, but to see everything sell out in less than an hour was an amazing surprise,” she wrote in her newsletter. The popularity of the brand led to a second product drop on June 20th, featuring some new and exciting additions.

On her podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, Meghan discussed her approach to running As Ever. She emphasized the importance of customer satisfaction over traditional marketing tactics like scarcity mentality. “I don't want you to eat that jam once every six months. I want that to be on your shelf all the time,” she explained. However, the rapid success of the brand also prompted her to take a step back and reassess the business model to ensure it could handle the demand.

“I'm looking at it saying, 'Just pause. That happened. Let's wait until we are completely stable and we have everything we need,'” she said on the podcast.

Future Plans for As Ever

Looking ahead, Meghan has big plans for the As Ever brand. She aims to expand beyond home and food products and explore new areas, including fashion. “Fashion is a category I plan to explore down the line because I find it to be an intriguing space for me,” she noted.

Her vision for the brand centers around hospitality and the idea of a home as a foundation for various verticals. “My heart is very deeply in my home. Everything comes from being rooted in the love story of your home and garden, and then you can imagine different verticals coming out of that,” she explained.

As Ever continues to grow, Meghan remains focused on building a brand that resonates with customers while maintaining her unique approach to business. With her background in media and her deep connection to home and family, it’s clear that her future plans are just beginning.