Meghan Markle seems to make a tough fight again with her besieged lifestyle company after a small company with an almost identical name has vowed to protect its brand and title.
Mark Kolski, a designer and owner of the New York Vintage Clothing Studio 'as ever NYC' said that he was 'left' of the news that the Duchess of Sussex has decided to launch her 'American Riviera Orchard' company under the same name as His own clothing label.
The Independent Clothing Company – based in New York and New Jersey – sells unique, reworked vintage clothing under the label 'As ever NYC', which can be seen prominently on its website and social media accounts.
Speaking with DailyMail.com after the announcement of Meghan confirmed Kolki that he now gets 'advice from as many professionals in the (legal) field' as he could.
Kolski, a former advertisement director and restaurant owner, said “it is easy to see that there is confusion (in between) the brands.”
'I've been made aware of it since early [Monday] morning. I was never informed before. We have no connection with Meghan Markle, “he added.
“At the moment on the basis of all the legal advice that I get the best not to say a direct comment.”
Kolki revealed that no one from the Meghan team had contacted him to consult him before she publicly announced her Rebrand on Monday – and that he only found out after friends had contacted him.
Mark Kolski, a designer and owner of New York Vintage Clothing Studio 'As always NYC' told DailyMail.com that he is now looking for legal advice to protect his brand
The Duchess was forced to rename her company after she encountered trademark problems with her first American Riviera Orchard project, in a Shamolic bank, just two weeks before the launch of her new Netflix show, 'With Love, Meghan'
“I am still shaky and evaluate the attention this affects me,” he told DailyMail.com.
'I speak with many people. I am a very small brand, I have had a lot of reach that I am grateful for.
'I was contacted by many people. I am not actively registered with legal representation, but I try to get advice from so many professionals in the (legal) field to find out to protect myself.
“A lot of attention comes to me from many people who have ideas and opinions about what Meghan Markle is doing.”
While the trademark for Meghan does not always mention clothing, as always NYC has a similar aesthetic meaning that consumers can be confused between the two.
The Instagram page for the Kolski studio even contains some of the fresh white shirts that the Duchess likes to wear.
On Tuesday, the Kolki company went to Instagram to tackle the 'recent events' and to thank everyone for their 'outing of support'.
“I want to thank all the old friends who know and love our small family brand as always, and also say hello to everyone who has just become aware,” wrote Kolki.
On Instagram, the Instagram stories brand has again posted from friends, followers and customers who are publicly behind the small company
Proponents seemed to send a non-ZO-Subtiel message to Meghan by describing the brand as 'the only only @aSevernyc'
'In the past 36 hours there is an outpouring of support and concern about recent events around our namesake mark. We are aware. We are not connected. '
Kolki explained that he started the company in 2015, but became officially in 2017 two years later.
'It is 2025. We are grateful that we are still making clothing here in New York and New Jersey.
'We are grateful for all customers from coast to coast and worldwide that have supported our company. We will continue as always, “he added.
The mail has since received hundreds of messages from followers, friends and customers who throw their support behind the small company.
The brand's account has also posted Instagram stories from supporters who seemed to send a non-so-subtle message to Meghan by describing Kolki's as always 'the only only one'.
Meghan's surprise brand name change, which only two weeks before the launch of her Netflix -TV program, entitled 'With Love, Meghan' and her range of lifestyle products, came after an objection to her previous name, American Riviera Orchard.
The owners of Royal Riviera, who makes similar products to sell as those of the Duchess, have submitted a letter to the American trademark office and said there was a risk of confusion between the brands.
The Independent Clothing Company – located in New York and New Jersey – sells unique, reworked vintage clothing under the label 'as always NYC', which can be seen prominently on its website and social media accounts
On Monday, Meghan announced that she has renamed the American Riviera Orchard as 'As always' in an initially filmed video from Instagram
Her new branding contains a palm tree, in addition to two hummingbirds – that probably represents Archie and Lilibet
In a post on Instagram, Meghan claimed that the name change was because it limited her to the use of products from the area around her house in Santa Barbara, known as the 'American Riviera'.
She also claimed that in 2022 they always' secure 'the name' as always' secured ', but public records outline a different story.
In 2022, Meghan representatives founded a company called '2022 Trademarks LLC' in Delaware.
However, Meghan only submitted the application for the trademark 'as always' in September last year.
The next day a company was founded in Delaware called 'As ever Enterprises LLC', which seems to be related to this.
But as Ever LLC, the company of Kolki, was founded in 2017 in the state of New York – he is located in Brooklyn – and the top hit on Google is when the term is searched for, so that further questions about why the Duchess didn't see it.
In his complaint at the US Trademark Office, Harry and David, the 90-year-old Gift Order Company, said the owner of the Royal Riviera brand, that American Riviera Orchard looked too much at his own brand.
The trademark was given to the brothers Harry and David Rosenberg for the pears they grew in 1941 in the orchard of their father in Oregon.
Meghan has also claimed that he protects the name 'as always' in 2022', but public archives outline a different story, which shows that she only registered 'September' in September 'September' in September last year 'September last year'
The 'protest' letter was considered 'relevant' and was sent to the research lawyer of the characteristic office because of the 'probability of confusion' between the two.
In a new blow to the Duchess, the characteristic office had previously told Meghan that the American Riviera Orchard was too vague and gave her three months to clarify it.
Dailymail.com has contacted Meghan representatives for comments.
