Melania Trump’s inauguration outfit drew comparisons to Jackie Kennedy’s iconic style. For her husband’s second inauguration, she opted for a custom navy silk wool coat dress paired with a pencil skirt and ivory silk crepe blouse, handmade in New York by designer Adam Lipps. Completing her look was a boater hat by Eric Javits, marking the first time a First Lady wore an inaugural hat since Hillary Clinton in 1993. This ensemble, showcasing American craftsmanship, received applause from fashion critics, especially given Melania’s previous preference for European brands. Lippes called it an “honor” to dress the First Lady, emphasizing American democracy’s beauty.
The powder blue pale suit dress (custom designed by Ralph Lauren) that Melania Trump wore to her husband’s first inauguration drew instant comparisons to Jackie Kennedy.
Her hair, loosely pulled back in a decidedly 1960s chignon, evoked a golden age of political idealism through fashion and framed her smile.
This time, the situation was decidedly more delicate.
Opting for a more subdued vibe, Melania wore a custom navy silk wool coat dress with a pencil skirt and ivory silk crepe blouse. To the surprise of many fashion watchers, they were all hand-sewn in New York City. American designer Adam Lipps is niche but far from low-priced.
Melania’s boater hat, by another American designer, Eric Javits, completed the striking ensemble.
It’s the first time a first lady has worn an inaugural hat since Hillary Clinton in 1993, which not only added drama to Melania’s ensemble, but also almost completely obscured her eyes.
For someone known for her love of sunglasses, this may have been the next best thing on a day when the whole world was watching.
At first glance, Melania, 54, appears to be paying homage to the traditions expected of a first lady at an inauguration.
The powder blue pale suit dress (custom designed by Ralph Lauren, right) that Melania Trump wore to her husband’s first inauguration ceremony immediately drew comparisons to Jackie Kennedy (left).
This time, Melania wore a custom-made navy silk wool coat dress, paired with a pencil skirt and ivory silk crepe blouse. To the surprise of many fashion watchers, they were all hand-sewn by niche artisans in New York City. Created by American designer Adam Lipps of Cut Price.
Melania’s boater hat, by another American designer, Eric Javits, completed the striking ensemble.
She eschewed her favorite European brands (despite choosing both Dolce & Gabbana and Dior at various pre-inauguration galas), and relatively unknown labels saw sales rise thanks to the president’s patronage this time around. We put the spotlight on two designers who have the potential to rise rapidly. .
In a statement released Monday morning, Lippes said it was an “honour” for the New York atelier to dress First Lady Melania Trump for a tradition that “embodies the beauty of American democracy.” She said her costumes were the product of “America’s finest craftsmen.” .
Javits also spoke proudly about the handmade creations he made (only 8 percent of the hand stitching on the hat was machine stitched).
“No other hand touched it…before Hervé.” [Pierre, Melania’s personal stylist] And the first lady who receives it,” he said.
The “Made in America” ensemble received plenty of praise, with fashion critics collectively gasping and expressing surprise that the new first lady had found an American designer to compliment her. Ta. (Many bitter liberal and somewhat snobbish brands have refused to work with First Lady Melania Trump since her husband began his political career).
Of course, to find these two designers for Melania, Hervé Pierre traveled far from the Madison Avenue boutiques (one of which once famously turned him away at the door) and into the confines of the American fashion world. I had to think outside the box. Much of that was due to the not-so-subtle disapproval of Anna Wintour, the Democratic doyenne and editor of Vogue magazine.
Adam Lipps – whose only standalone store is a small studio-style showroom in the upscale fashion mall Brookfield Place (near One World Trade Center) – is a relative newcomer, and certainly A world where you are not part of the elite club of New York fashion.
Eric Javits is even further afield. A supplier of hats and straw accessories to Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom, he is currently based in Miami. And the proximity to Mar-a-Lago meant Hervé could hand-deliver the finished product to Melania in Palm Beach.
Lipps said it was an “honor” for his New York atelier to dress Melania in a tradition that “embodies the beauty of American democracy” and that her costumes were created by “America’s finest craftsmen.” said that it is a product.
Melania Trump spotlighted two designers whose relatively unknown labels could see a surge in sales thanks to the president’s latest endorsement. (She is pictured wearing Dior on January 19th).
First lady Melania avoided her favorite European brands, despite choosing both Dolce & Gabbana and Dior at various pre-inauguration galas. (She is pictured wearing a Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo shirt).
But Melania Trump’s outfit today is yet another reminder of what she does best: being different than other first ladies and dressing differently than other first ladies. It seems to me.
Melania Trump and the soon-to-be 47th president appeared almost indistinguishable at first as they emerged from a black SUV for an early morning service at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Washington on Monday.
Both wore long dark coats, with the first lady abandoning the tradition of bright, vibrant colors to stand out from the crowd.
Instead, Melania borrowed from European haute couture houses for a monochromatic simplicity.
The addition of a hat and almost masculine lines ensured that she stood out from, and in addition to, the other Trump women who inevitably appeared in the photo.
The silk wool of her coat was very similar to the fabric Dior favored for outerwear, and its stiff peaked lapels recalled Dolce & Gabbana’s trademarks.
The diagonal chic style with two patch pockets on each side was another hallmark of European tailored dressing that has become mainstream for Melania in recent years.
By literally capping off the look with an unconventional (for an American) choice of hat, she reminded us of her meeting with Queen Elizabeth II in 2019, when she wore a very similar style (at the time Hervé – Pierre himself designed).
It also reflects the ceremonial attire of the women of the British royal family, who rarely appear on such important occasions without an eye-catching hat.
Melania Trump’s outfit is sure to divide opinion. The angular style and dark tones are not what people expect from a traditional American spouse.
By literally finishing off the look with an unconventional (for an American) choice of hat, she reminded us of her 2019 meeting with Queen Elizabeth II (pictured), where she wore a very similar style.
It also reflects the ceremonial attire of the women of the British royal family, who rarely appear on such important occasions without an eye-catching hat. (The Duchess Kate was photographed on November 13, 2022).
But I think she has once again baffled her critics. By choosing a design that is resolutely American yet strikingly similar to her sartorial mainstay, the European silhouette, Melania not only demonstrates independence of spirit but also a history of strategy mastered by Jackie Kennedy. showed a strong understanding of the situation.
Forced to abandon Parisian haute couture due to political pressure, Jackie commissioned American designer Oleg Cassini to recreate her beloved French silhouettes, whom she later named her “style secretary.” That’s what I called it.
It remains to be seen whether Adam Lipps will play such a role.
Monday’s choice certainly opens up the possibility that first lady Melania Trump has something very different in mind for the next four years, at least when it comes to fashion.
