Meghan Markle Shines at Her Hair Colorist's Launch Party in California: 'She Was in a Joyful Mood'

Mar. 15, 2025

Meghan Markle pictured beside Kadi Lee and Serge Normant at the Highbrow Hippie Launch Party held at Gjelina on November 14, 2024 in Venice, California.Photo:Gregg DeGuire/WWD via Getty

Gregg DeGuire/WWD via Getty

Meghan Markleis expanding her investment portfolio, adding another female-led brand to her growing list of ventures.

On Thursday, Nov. 14, the Duchess of Sussex, 43, was snapped attending the Highbrow Hippie launch party at the Gjelina restaurant in Venice, California. Celebrating her close friend and hair colorist Kadi Lee’s newHaircare and Wellness range(of which Meghan is one of the lead investors), she posed for photos with Lee and her longtime hairstylist Serge Normant, who styled Meghan’s hair for her2018 weddingtoPrince Harry.

“I am so proud to invest in [Kadi] as a friend and as a female founder,” Meghan toldInStyleof her investment in Highbrow Hippie: “Kadi has a mastery of hair health, and her Highbrow Hippie collection is a perfect reflection of that.”

Meghan sported a black strapless top and pants from Khaite for the event. The classic look included shoes from one of her go-to brands, Aquazurra, and a pendant necklace from Logan Hollowell to compliment her sweetheart neckline. The Duchess completed her ensemble with a pair of gold, round earrings, while her hair was styled in soft curls, parted in the middle.

Invideos shared to Lee’s Instagram Storiesafter the event, Meghan was seen singing and dancing along to a gospel choir performance.

“She was in a joyful mood,” a source tells PEOPLE. “She was dancing and celebrating with her friends.”

Meghan Markle pictured with Kadie Lee and Serge Normant at the Highbrow Hippie Launch Party held at Gjelina on November 14, 2024 in Venice.Gregg DeGuire/WWD via Getty

Several of Meghan’s closest friends were also in attendance, including her longtime friend and makeup artist Daniel Martin, as well as Vicky Tsai, the founder of Tatcha, who made an appearance in Meghan and Prince Harry’s Netflix docuseries,Harry & Meghan.

“We needed this celebration of community and creativity,” Martin tells PEOPLE. “I was honored to celebrate these women among such close friends.”

Lee, along with her friend and business partnerMyka Harris, are introducing Highbrow Hippie Haircare & Wellness, solutions that curb the root causes of hair loss to promote healthy aging of hair.

Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, Serge Normant, Kadi Lee and Myka Harris attend the Launch of Highbrow Hippie Haircare & Wellness at Gjelina on November 14, 2024 in Venice, California.Tiffany Rose/Getty

Tiffany Rose/Getty

After Kadi shared how her friendship with Meghan had influenced the evolution of her business, Meghan quipped, “I was using boxed dye when I met her!”— a remark that drew laughs from the crowd.

During the pandemic, the Duchess had been ordering her hair color online for just a few dollars. Normant told Meghan that in California, she only needed to know one person: “Kadi Lee.” That introduction marked the beginning of a friendship that has since blossomed over the past four and a half years.

In photos of the event, Lee holds roses that the Duchess picked from her garden in Montecito. As a thoughtful gesture to mark the occasion, Meghan personally carried the flowers in and handed them to Lee.

In August, Meghan revealed that she invested in the female-founded, sustainably sourced handbag brandCesta Collective— and spoke about how she is investing in herself, as well. Meghan said that there are between five and 10 brands currently in her portfolio, and said she sees them as complementary to her forthcoming lifestyle brandAmerican Riviera Orchard.

“Investing in them has helped me line up for this chapter where I’m investing in myself,” the Duchess of Sussex toldThe New York Times.

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Lee, who is also the hair colorist ofJulia Roberts,Gwyneth Paltrow, andDiane von Furstenberg,previously spoke to PEOPLEabout Highbrow Hippie Haircare & Wellness, which she introduced with her business partnerMyka Harris.

Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, Kadi Lee and Serge Normant attend the Launch of Highbrow Hippie Haircare & Wellness at Gjelina on November 14, 2024 in Venice, California.Tiffany Rose/Getty

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The brand, which has products such asEssential Wellbeing Complex Supplementsand itsRoot Replenish Active Growth Serum, aims to solve the problems of hair loss and promote healthy aging of hair.

“My hair feels healthier and stronger,” Julia Roberts told PEOPLE after using the product for six months. “The formula is incredibly light and absorbs quickly into my scalp without leaving any residue, even after multiple days in a row of use.”

Back in February, Lee’s Highbrow Hippie revealed the secrets behind Meghan’swinter hair color look.

source: people.com