Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.Photo: Earl Gibson III/Shutterstock

Meghan Markle’s first appearance of the year at theNAACP Image Awardsresulted in a true Hollywood moment — with the help of a Black designer.
New York-based designer Christopher John Rogers was behind the flowing one-shoulder blue gown that the Duchess of Sussex wore to accept the President’s Award in recognition of special achievement and distinguished public service alongside her husband,Prince Harry, on Saturday.
Rogers spoke withVogueabout how the stunning look came to be — starting with an email from Meghan about a month ago asking if he wanted to collaborate with her. It wasn’t long before they jumped on a virtual call to talk more.
Mike Coppola/Getty

The final look was an ombre gown with a chiffon bust overlay, thigh-high side slit and dramatic two-foot train.
“[It] is always really exciting being able to use color, and lots of different shades of the same color, to create some sort of graphicism, which is signature to me,” the designer explained. “It’s something that feels fresh and right for now.”
Meghan, 40, completed the look with side-swept hair, a smokey eye andAquazzura’s Celeste Sandals.
She accessorized her look with a gold cuff bracelet featuring diamonds and blue stones that previously belonged toPrince Harry’s mother,Princess Diana. Meghan has worn the piece on many occasions, including during herfall 2018 tour to Australiaand at thelaunch of her clothing collection.
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Letitia Johnson and Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP.Earl Gibson III/Shutterstock

Through the couple’sArchewell Foundation, which they launched in 2020, Harry and Meghan have supported efforts to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and focused their attention on the Black Lives Matter movement and fighting for racial justice.
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During the couple’s speech, Harry thanked the Black community for “welcoming me so warmly,” while Meghan, who brought her mom Doria Ragland to the awards show, said she “couldn’t be prouder.”
source: people.com