Share

This is what Melania Trump will wear to the presidential inauguration

accreditation

According to Harpers Bazaar, all-American designer Ralph Lauren (seriously, only Tommy Hilfiger with his white, red and blue is more patriotic in his design) is dressing future FLOTUS Melania Trump for this Friday, the 20th of January’s presidential inauguration of her husband, Donald J. Trump.

An event many are referring to as: The End.

Read: Donald Trump: a brief history of the most controversial American president in history

The designer has dressed Hillary Clinton for all three presidential debates in tailored suits and obviously, Hillary owned it.

Read: In photos: Hillary Clinton through the years

Image: Getty

Melania is certainly a lover of white dresses, as we've seen at the Time 100 event and at the Republican Convention. So, with a designer like Ralph Lauren, I think it's safe to say, her inauguration dress/coat will be in crisp white.

According to The Washington Post many designers are drawing political battle lines, opting to refuse that their designs be worn by Melania Trump or first-daughter, Ivanka in the future. 

Notably, Tom Ford has said that he won’t dress Melania Trump. Not for the inauguration and not for any event. As did Marc Jacobs, Humberto Leon, Derek Lam, Timo Weiland, Sophie Theallet (who used to dress Michelle Obama) and Phillip Lim.

Sophie Theallet wrote an open letter about what motivated her decision, saying: “As one who celebrates and strives for diversity, individual freedom, and respect for all lifestyles. I will not participate in dressing or associate myself in any way with the next First Lady. The rhetoric of racism, sexism, and xenophobia unleashed by her husband's presidential campaign are incompatible with the shared values we live by."

It's an interesting dilemma. You don't agree with Trump's politics, and by extension Melania's, but would still benefit from having your art seen and photographed by millions.

But is restricting one's art to a select few, really the purpose of art? I agree with everything Theallet has noted and can't even comprehend a comparison between Michelle Obama and Melania. And I'm not saying these designers should volunteer their art to the Trumps. 

Of course, the Trump women can just buy off the rack. But, surely, they wouldn't.

But are the Trump women not to an extent punished and seen as dregs of society for the sins of Donald J. Trump? Designers dress horrible people all the time, so why is this so fundamentally different?

Images: Getty

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE