Meghan Markle’s Lifestyle Brand and the Copycat Controversy

Launching a lifestyle brand is no small task. It requires creativity, authenticity, and the ability to connect with audiences in ways that feel both aspirational and genuine. When Meghan Markle introduced her “As Ever” brand, many expected something fresh, sophisticated, and uniquely hers. But the rollout has stirred unexpected conversations—conversations not about innovation, but about imitation.

At the heart of the debate is Meghan’s longtime friend, actress Abigail Spencer. Observers quickly noticed that Meghan’s visuals, themes, and even floral arrangements bore a striking resemblance to Abigail’s own floral business and creative platforms. What should have been a triumphant debut instead sparked speculation: Was Meghan truly presenting her own vision, or had she borrowed too heavily from someone close to her?

The first red flag came with a photo shoot in Montecito. Meghan posed in a flowing yellow dress, her dogs carefully placed at her feet, framed by soft greenery and natural light. The imagery was undeniably beautiful—but it felt familiar. Comparisons were immediately drawn to Abigail Spencer’s Countryline Florals website, which had showcased similar styling long before “As Ever” appeared. For some, the resemblance was simply too close to ignore.

The similarities didn’t end there. Meghan later shared an Instagram story featuring a floral arrangement in her home. The caption was cheerful, the bouquet vibrant, and the planter carried her brand’s logo. But again, critics pointed out the uncanny resemblance to Abigail’s content, down to the choice of flowers and filming style. What might have passed as coincidence began to look more deliberate.

To be fair, lifestyle branding often draws on common aesthetics: soft lighting, fresh flowers, natural tones, and aspirational living. These elements are not exclusive to any one person. Yet, in Meghan’s case, the parallels were direct enough to raise uncomfortable questions. Was this a case of shared taste between friends, or an overstep into borrowed creativity?

The optics matter, especially for someone like Meghan Markle. She has long positioned herself as a supporter of women, championing collaboration and empowerment. But if her launch appears to overshadow or appropriate her friend’s creative work, it risks undermining that very message. For critics, the silence around Abigail’s contributions felt telling. Despite years of Abigail supporting Meghan publicly, there has been no visible acknowledgment of her friend’s floral ventures within the “As Ever” brand.

Reputation in the lifestyle space hinges on trust. Audiences are quick to sense when something feels inauthentic or recycled. For Meghan, the concern is not just that her rollout echoed another’s work, but that it did so in a way that appeared calculated rather than collaborative.

Public reaction reflects this unease. Online commentary noted that the imagery felt staged, the concepts unoriginal, and the execution uninspired. Instead of leading with innovation, Meghan’s brand seemed to enter the space with familiar aesthetics already associated with someone else. The disappointment was not in the visuals themselves, but in the lack of originality expected from such a high-profile launch.

This moment reveals a deeper truth about personal branding in the digital age. Authenticity is more valuable than perfection. People connect with stories, imperfections, and genuine effort far more than with polished but imitative images. If Meghan’s brand hopes to succeed, it must lean into what makes her truly unique, not what echoes the work of those around her.

The irony is that Meghan has the resources and platform to create something groundbreaking. She doesn’t need to lean on borrowed imagery or familiar formulas. Her own story—her transition from Hollywood to royalty, her journey as a mother, her efforts in philanthropy—offers ample inspiration for a brand that could stand apart. The challenge is to move beyond the surface-level aesthetics and build something that feels deeply personal and original.

For now, “As Ever” faces a reputation hurdle. The question is not whether Meghan can recover—she has proven resilience time and again—but whether she can pivot. To win back trust, she may need to acknowledge the similarities, credit those who inspired her, and refocus on building an identity that is unmistakably hers.

The lesson here is universal: originality matters. In a world where millions of people can instantly compare, analyze, and critique, authenticity is the only sustainable foundation. Copying—even unintentionally—invites doubt. And once doubt takes root, rebuilding credibility takes effort.

Behind the glossy photos and curated moments, the story of Meghan’s brand launch is not about flowers or dresses. It is about perception, trust, and the delicate balance of friendship and business. If the comparisons to Abigail Spencer linger, “As Ever” risks being remembered less for its vision and more for the controversy surrounding its debut.

In the end, Meghan’s confession—spoken or unspoken—may be that building a lifestyle brand is harder than it looks. True creativity can’t be borrowed, and true influence comes not from replication, but from originality.