Melania Trump has officially returned to the White House for a second term. On Monday, she and Donald Trump moved back into their former residence after a day filled with celebrations, attracting significant media attention.
Fashion enthusiasts and the public have always been captivated by Melania’s wardrobe choices. Her outfits for the inauguration were no exception, although one accessory—a hat—left many puzzled. Interestingly, reports indicated that several designers had turned down the opportunity to collaborate with her prior to the inauguration.
Throughout her time as First Lady, Melania has partnered with various designers, but recently, she has been working with Hervé Pierre Braillard, a designer based in New York City. He has shared that he has faced backlash for his association with Melania, while also explaining the challenges of finding the perfect outfit for her.
On Monday, Melania and Donald resumed their life at the White House. Following their election victory in November, the President and First Lady have been busy preparing for their second term, including hiring new staff and outlining their agenda.
Despite the secrecy surrounding Inauguration Day, when Joe and Jill Biden departed and Donald and Melania Trump took their place, the public was given a rare glimpse into the transition process between presidents.
Just before their move back into the White House, Melania sat down with Fox and Friends to talk about her upcoming documentary.
In early January, Amazon announced that they had started filming a behind-the-scenes documentary about Melania, set to hit theaters in 2025. According to Puck News, sources familiar with the agreement revealed that the licensing deal is valued at $40 million.
Melania Trump to feature in new documentary
I had this great idea to create a movie about my life, which is truly remarkable. It’s filled with so much activity, and I shared my vision with my agent, asking them to secure a deal for me. We kicked off production in November, and we’re currently in the midst of filming. It’s all about my daily experiences, the responsibilities I juggle, and the insights people don’t usually see, Melania shared with Fox.
“It’s a daily journey, from the transition team to settling into the White House, packing up, forming my team, and setting up the First Lady’s office. It’s about making the White House feel like home and hiring the right people.”
Melania also talked about her upcoming move into the White House, noting that this time would be different since she’s familiar with the process.
“I have everything planned out; I’m ready to move in. I’ve already packed and chosen the furniture that will go in, so this transition feels much smoother the second time around,” Melania explained.
“On January 20, the transition team has just five hours to get the Bidens out and us in, so every detail has to be meticulously planned.”
Melania’s fashion choices have sparked plenty of discussions over the years. Many might remember the time she wore a jacket that said, “I REALLY DON’T CARE, DO U?” during a visit to a migrant facility in Texas during her first term. While that incident drew some negative attention, most of the coverage has focused on her stunning dresses and stylish outfits.
Why designers didn’t want to work with Melania for the inauguration
Being the First Lady has certainly presented some challenges for Melania, particularly in her efforts to collaborate with top designers globally, partly due to her modeling background.
According to Women’s Wear Daily before the inauguration, representatives from notable brands like Michael Kors, Rachel Scott of Diotima, Sergio Hudson of Zankov, and House of Gilles chose not to comment on potential collaborations with Melania for the occasion. During Donald Trump’s first term, several designers, including Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs, and Jason Wu, publicly declined to dress her.
One designer who has had a close working relationship with Melania is Hervé Pierre Braillard, the former creative director of Carolina Herrera. In an interview with Women’s Wear Daily, he expressed his confusion over why some individuals refuse to work with the First Lady.
Pierre shared that his association with the Trumps had negative repercussions for him personally. While shopping in a designer store in New York City, he was told by a fellow shopper that he “was not welcome here.”
“I can understand criticism directed at Mrs. Trump, but to tell someone shopping – at full price – ‘You are not welcome here’ is something I never anticipated,” Pierre remarked.
“Some designers in New York are wonderful. The Europeans tend to be more open-minded. They view dressing Mrs. Trump, given the media attention she receives, as a chance to boost sales and gain free publicity.”
Melania Trump’s stylist reveals why it’s tricky to dress her
How can one assist Melania Trump in selecting outfits that ensure she stands out in any setting? In a 2017 interview with The New York Times, Hérve Pierre Braillard shared an interesting insight. He mentioned that Melania often opts for off-the-rack clothing rather than custom-designed pieces.
Braillard explained that when Melania seeks American designers, she typically browses her own wardrobe for high-end fashion options. He also helps her find suitable pieces, but he keeps the identity of his client a secret when shopping.
“I visit places like Bergdorf and Saks, looking at brands like Michael Kors and Dior,” he shared with The New York Times. “The tricky part is not being able to disclose who I’m shopping for.”
Additionally, Pierre always checks if an item has been worn on the red carpet before, as he wants to avoid Melania being featured in a “Who Wore It Better” comparison.
“I steer clear of that for a good reason: the fashion industry isn’t particularly welcoming to Trump,” he told Women’s Wear Daily. “While some are open-minded and willing to create something unique, many are not.”
Melania’s inauguration hat went viral
Melania received a lot of attention for her outfit on Inauguration Day, especially her hat. Designed by Eric Javits, he expressed that dressing Melania was one of the highlights of his career.
“My background in art helped me create hat shapes that would enhance and flatter various face types,” Javits shared. “In this case, it was quite easy since Mrs. Trump has stunning bone structure, beauty, and a fantastic sense of style.”
While the hat obscured Melania’s eyes a bit, it seemed to stay in place, though her husband had a humorous take on it. Speaking in Emancipation Hall, Donald joked that her hat nearly took flight next to a military helicopter.
“She almost blew away,” Trump laughed. “She was being lifted off the ground.”
Along with the hat, Melania donned a navy silk wool coat paired with a navy skirt and an ivory silk crepe blouse by American designer Adam Lippes. Later, for the Inaugural Ball, she changed into a dress designed by Hérve Pierre Braillard, accessorized with a black choker from jeweler Harry Winston.
“It was such an honor to create the dress for First Lady Melania Trump tonight. I can’t thank her enough… it was a wonderful project, a great collaboration… as always!!!!” Pierre shared on Instagram, along with a sketch of the dress.
Melania Trump’s jewelry for Inauguration Ball carried a secret message
Melania’s hat was noted for conveying a strong message, but social media users quickly turned their attention to the First Lady’s ball gown. The exquisite jewels by Harry Winston that Melania wore seemed to subtly reference the American Dream.
Harry Winston had a history of dressing Hollywood legends like Marilyn Monroe and Katherine Hepburn, and he even created the engagement ring for former First Lady Jackie Kennedy.
According to the Daily Mail, Winston contributed diamonds to the Smithsonian to help establish the National Gem Collection and later envisioned a permanent display of gems worn by First Ladies, which he wanted to name “American Queens.” However, the Smithsonian declined his proposal, citing concerns about it being “inconsistent with our democratic traditions.”
So, in what way did Melania honor the American Dream with her jewelry? Newsweek reported that one user on X, formerly Twitter, highlighted the significance of her outfit.
“Melania Trump’s inaugural ball gown has already become a part of iconic fashion history. But let’s reveal its hidden meaning! A subtle homage to the American Dream,” one user shared in a viral thread that has garnered over nine million views.
“Made from off-white silk crepe and featuring a strapless design, the gown is enhanced by two black gazar bands that create a dynamic interplay of geometry, music, dance, and, as some suggest, a stylized bouquet.”
“The American Dream
The X user expressed that the Harry Winston choker worn by Melania symbolizes the hard work of Winston, who was the son of Ukrainian immigrants and achieved great success in the United States. Given that Melania hails from Slovenia, this adds an additional layer of meaning.
“In just twenty years, Winston rose to become one of the world’s most renowned jewelers, celebrated for his remarkable talent in creating exquisite jewelry. He was even referenced by Marilyn Monroe in the iconic song ‘Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,’” the X user noted in the viral thread.
“By examining these details, we can, with a touch of creativity—as fashion often encourages us—recognize that this elegance pays tribute to tradition, the American Dream, and prosperity. A new golden age is just beginning.”
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