Meghan Markle attends GG9 Ventures Summit to launch lifestyle brand

Meghan Markle has spent a lot of time trying to stay on good terms with her inner circle, but she’s not about to let awkward clashes with seemingly former friends stop her from pursuing what she wants. On July 26, the Duchess of Sussex made waves at the GG9 Ventures Summer Summit in the Hamptons. Hosted by influencer Amy Griffin, the exclusive event brought together influential women from various industries, with a focus on lifestyle brands. It was the ideal forum for Markle to get some final feedback before launching her lifestyle brand, American Riviera.

Markle’s attendance at the summit is especially interesting given her ongoing social circle — she and Prince Harry have recently tried to reunite with old Hollywood pals like Victoria Beckham and longtime family friends like John Travolta, but it hasn’t always gone smoothly — but this high-profile summit could be the fresh start she needs to expand her network.

According to Page Six, Markle arrived in the Hamptons from California on a private jet with entrepreneur Jamie Kern Lima. The event, held at Griffin’s $13 million mansion, was attended by Markle’s close friends and celebrities from various fields. Among the familiar faces were designer Misha Nonoo and makeup guru Victoria Jackson, the latter of whom is said to be part of Markle’s inner circle in the “Montecito Mafia.”

But it wasn’t just a reunion of old friends: The guest list included big names like Goop queen Gwyneth Paltrow, Reese Witherspoon, who also heads the billion-dollar brand Hello Sunshine, Spanx founder Sara Blakely, actress Laura Dern, and journalist Katie Couric. These women aren’t just famous, they’re also business-savvy powerhouses who could offer valuable insight and potential partnerships for Markle’s upcoming brand launch.

Host Griffin is known for mentoring early-stage startups, mentoring brands like Goop, Athletic Greens, and Bumble. The summit seemed like a unique opportunity for Markle, whose new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, is already generating buzz (and already has some competition) despite not even officially launching yet. With plans to release products ranging from small-batch jams to rosé wine (in honor of her first date with Prince Harry), Markle is clearly aiming high.

While we still have to wait for an official announcement about Markle’s lifestyle, wine and jam brand, it seems like she’s not going to let a few hiccups mar the launch of American Riviera. Instead, she’s decided to meet with some of the most influential women in the world to figure out how to make a name for herself in the business world.

Before you go, click here to see Meghan Markle’s best post-royal fashion moments.