In typical circumstances, designers eagerly vie for the opportunity to collaborate with the incoming First Lady to secure their place in history. The gown worn by Melania Trump at the President’s inaugural ball on Monday evening will undoubtedly go down in history. Since Helen Taft established the tradition in 1912, US First Ladies have donated their Inauguration outfits to Washington’s Smithsonian Museum. “Let’s face it, she’ll look good ‘as she is’,” says Flavia Masson, an American-Italian screenwriter and former employee of Sonia Rykiel and Chanel, describing Melania as “the chicest First Lady since Jackie Kennedy.”
Melania Trump, who once wore an all-red ensemble while meeting French First Lady Brigitte Macron in 2017, has often been compared to Jackie Kennedy, whom she has cited as her style icon for years. Both women are known for their flawless elegance and glamour. Melania, as revealed in her bestselling autobiography, attributes her sense of style and self-care to her dressmaker mother, who instilled in her the importance of appearance and well-being.
Despite any criticisms or controversies, Melania exudes confidence in her glamorous and elegant persona. With a strong sense of personal style and the support of loyal advisors, Melania has navigated the fashion world with ease. Many fashion designers have chosen to distance themselves from the First Lady due to her husband’s controversial politics, but French designer Hervé Pierre has become Melania’s go-to for creating impeccable and flattering outfits.
While some may still harbor negative opinions of Melania, she remains steadfast in her role and continues to make a statement through her fashion choices. Whether it’s her dignified demeanor or her sometimes perceived aloofness, Melania Trump’s style continues to captivate and intrigue observers.
Melania faced intense scrutiny when she entered the fashion scene in 2016 alongside Trump. Unlike previous First Ladies who were greeted with offers of help from the fashion industry, Melania found herself without support from top designers like Tom Ford and Marc Jacobs, who publicly stated they were not interested in dressing her. With her stylist Pierre, she navigated the fashion world mostly on her own, sometimes missing the mark due to their shared European backgrounds. Her expensive choices and signature sky-high heels drew criticism, especially from Democrat-leaning media outlets.
Despite the challenges, Melania continued to make bold fashion statements. However, many in the fashion industry remained tight-lipped about her style, with only Pierre speaking out in an interview with Women’s Wear Daily. The polarized political climate made it difficult for designers to openly discuss Melania’s fashion choices. Maxine Trowbridge, a fashion designer, acknowledged the unfair treatment Melania received and praised her sense of style, noting that she brought dignity and a touch of sass to the role of First Lady.
Melania’s fashion choices often sparked controversy, from wearing expensive clothing to a misstep with a parka bearing the words “I really don’t care, do u?” during a visit to a children’s migrant center. Critics questioned her accessibility and suggested that mixing in more affordable brands could improve her public image. Despite the criticism, Melania maintained a polished and luxurious fashion sense, favoring designers like Michael Kors and Birkin over more mainstream brands. Fashion experts noted that her style was tasteful but not easily attainable for the average American woman.
While Melania’s fashion choices may not have had the same impact as Michelle Obama’s advocacy for high-low fashion and emerging designers, she continued to make a statement with her wardrobe throughout her time as First Lady.
In fact, Melania has been influential in boosting sales of particular outfits. A former employee of a luxury retailer shared with me that an ivory Roksanda dress with sculpted sleeves completely sold out after Melania wore it in 2016. Fernandez plans to closely follow Melania’s style in the upcoming years, expressing curiosity about the direction she will take. While she doesn’t anticipate Melania reconciling with the fashion world or being invited to fashion shows, she believes Melania is not interested in playing that game either. Melania’s unbothered personality shines through, regardless of how others perceive her.
The dynamic between Melania and fashion designers in the coming years is expected to be a nuanced power struggle, as noted by Armstrong from AFP/Getty. On one side, we have Bernard Arnault, the CEO of LVMH, which owns several high-end labels favored by Melania. Arnault, a prominent figure in the fashion industry, has been seen socializing at Mar-a-Lago, the Trumps’ luxurious Florida estate. On the other hand, there is American Vogue’s homage last summer to the various First Ladies featured in its pages over the past century, including even Pat Nixon. However, Melania has been conspicuously absent from the recent coverage despite her past appearances in the magazine during her days as Donald Trump’s girlfriend.
Before entering the political arena, Melania’s style leaned towards provocative slip dresses and bold looks that highlighted her cleavage. Her current fashion choices as the First Lady exhibit a more refined and conservative aesthetic, a stark contrast to her previous Nineties-inspired ensembles. While her evolving style may not appeal to everyone, it presents an interesting transformation worth examining, according to Trowbridge, who notes the geographical influence seen in Melania’s wardrobe choices.
Melania’s sartorial preferences resonate with the polished, upscale, and conservative fashion embraced in Palm Beach, where she and the Trump family have a significant presence. Although Vogue’s influence may be diminishing, the impact of Anna Wintour and the potential repercussions for smaller brands collaborating with Melania are still factors to consider. The evolving relationship between Arnault and Trump led to the establishment of a major LVMH factory in Texas in 2019, showcasing the intertwining of business and politics.
The divisive nature of politics in the US has led many brands to steer clear of associating with Melania publicly, given the potential risks involved. Trowbridge emphasizes the complexity of navigating the fashion industry in such politically charged times, suggesting that it may be prudent for brands to avoid aligning themselves with contentious figures.
Now more than ever, brands must be wary of finding themselves embroiled in a social media storm. In 2018, Melania Trump made headlines when she donned a lemon-colored, floor-length caped chiffon J Mendel dress for a meeting with then-Prime Minister Theresa May at Blenheim Palace. The striking ensemble garnered both praise and criticism, showcasing Melania’s penchant for glamorous fashion moments.
Melania’s sartorial choices have long been a subject of fascination, with her outfits often making a strong statement. Whether it was the lemon chiffon dress at Blenheim Palace or the red short-sleeved dress paired with matching Louboutins worn on 60 Minutes following her husband’s victory in 2016, Melania has consistently captured attention with her style. These iconic fashion moments have taken on added significance in the current climate, as the fashion industry grapples with a global sales downturn.
One such standout look was the red short-sleeved dress Melania sported on 60 Minutes, a moment that fashion enthusiasts like Masson took notice of. Reflecting on Melania’s evolution as a style icon, Masson remarked, “There was always a lot of focus on Melania’s style from the moment she started dating Trump in the late Nineties. At the time I didn’t take either of them seriously… She really asserted herself with what kind of First Lady she would be.”
Despite the polarizing nature of Melania’s public persona, Masson maintains a balanced perspective on her fashion choices. She notes the prevalence of irrational reactions to any positive commentary on Melania, emphasizing the importance of recognizing her fashion acumen. “Melania’s a former model and wears clothes very well – fact,” Masson asserts, highlighting the undeniable impact of Melania’s style on the public consciousness.
Melania’s fashion sense continued to spark interest, particularly after she donned a white-collared Valentino dress with a “pilgrim” style aesthetic at Jimmy Carter’s funeral. This ensemble, while from 2019, signaled a departure from her usual fashion repertoire, hinting at a potential shift in her wardrobe choices. Could Melania’s future appearances feature more repeats from her own closet, signaling a departure from the traditional model of constant novelty in fashion?
One thing remains certain: Melania’s preference for privately funded attire allows her the freedom to curate her wardrobe without the constraints of designer endorsements. This autonomy benefits both Melania and the fashion brands she chooses to wear, enabling a symbiotic relationship that navigates the delicate intersection of politics and style.
As Melania’s fashion journey continues to unfold, the industry’s perception of her style evolves in tandem. While initial skepticism gave way to intrigue, Melania’s fashion choices serve as a testament to her individuality and refined taste. The allure of her ensembles, from the lemon chiffon dress to the Valentino “pilgrim” dress, underscores her status as a fashion influencer with a distinctive vision.
In a landscape marked by shifting trends and evolving
