Melania Trump is renowned for her elegant fashion choices, often wearing European designers like Christian Dior and Valentino, and collaborating with stylist Hervé Pierre Bouillard. Many of her outfits are off-the-rack, with Pierre sourcing pieces directly from high-end stores for her. He has faced challenges due to the fashion industry’s mixed reception of Trump, revealing he occasionally encounters unwelcoming environments while shopping. Despite this, Pierre designed significant pieces for her, including gowns for the inaugural ball. In 2023, it was disclosed that he received over $200,000 for his styling services, highlighting his influential role in her fashion choices.
Melania Trump has become famous for her modest fashion sense, often opting for European designers such as Christian Dior, Valentino, and Dolce & Gabbana.
To achieve her elegant ensembles, the first lady works directly with Hervé Pierre Bouillard, former creative director of Carolina Herrera, but in many cases he doesn’t have custom pieces made.
Pierre revealed to the New York Times in 2017 that many of the clothes Melania wears are off-the-rack.
When the former model dresses American designers, she either scours her own closet for archival pieces from high-end fashion houses, or Pierre sources the items for her directly.
Mr. Pierre, who has previously worked for Oscar de la Renta, Vera Wang and Christian Dior, will shop without disclosing for whom he is working.
“I go to Bergdorf, I go to Saks, I go to Michael Kors, I go to Dior,” revealed the designer, who also worked at Balmain. “The hard part is when you can’t say what it’s for.”
Instead, Pierre has to ask if the 54-year-old has worn it on the red carpet recently because he doesn’t want to be on the “better worn list.”
‘I wouldn’t do that for the good reason that the fashion industry is not very welcoming. [of Trump.] It’s not a secret,” Pierre told WWD in November 2024.
Melania Trump has become famous for her fashion sense, often choosing European designers like Christian Dior, which she wore to former President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral.
The first lady works with Carolina Herrera’s former creative director, Hervé Pierre Bouillard, who told the New York Times in 2017 that many of the clothes worn by first lady Melania Herrera are ready-to-wear. revealed.
Pierre designed the large white hats Melania Trump and her husband Donald Trump wore when they welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron to the White House in April 2018.
Pierre told Women’s Wear Daily that 95 percent of her purchases for herself are from independent stores rather than designer showrooms.
She said she was once shopping at a designer store on Madison Avenue in Manhattan when she was told, “You’re not welcome here.”
However, he did not reveal the store’s name because he did not want to give away “free advertising.”
“Some people are very open-minded and willing to do something special for you. But a lot of people aren’t,” the celebrity stylist continued.
Pierre explained that when he asked an American brand to create a dress or brand for Melania, he was told that they could not do it, even if it was just an ensemble in a different color.
The French-born, New York City-based stylist ended up designing the gown worn at the 2017 inaugural ball and the gown worn in 2025.
While fashion fans waited patiently to see which designer she would choose after many major designers shunned her during her husband’s first presidential term, Melania chose a stylist instead.
Pierre created an elegant strapless white silk crepe dress with two black bands at the chest.
Melania paired the gown with a diamond brooch worn as a choker by Harry Winston in 1955 and white point-toe pumps by Manolo Blahnik.
In the past, First Lady Melania has dressed American designers such as Ralph Lauren and Michael Kors, but it is unclear whether they will create her fashion in the future.
“It was a great honor to work with the first lady on the design of her inaugural dress,” Pierre said in a statement, referring to the gown she wore to the Liberty Ball.
“It was a great honor to help design the First Lady’s inaugural dress,” Pierre said in a statement.
Pierre is paid handsomely for his styling services.
In 2023, government filings revealed that the pro-Trump Save America PAC paid Pierre more than $200,000 for his services.
The PAC called it “strategic consulting” and paid monthly payments in increments of $18,000.
For her swearing-in ceremony, Melania made sure to choose an American designer.
The first lady attended the inaugural parade inside the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., wearing a navy wool coat by Adam Lipps and an oversized hat by Eric Javits.
The first lady attended the inaugural parade inside Capital One Arena wearing a navy wool coat by Adam Lipps and an oversized Eric Javits hat.
Adam lives between New York City and the Berkshires, while Eric is based in Miami, and both created custom pieces that were fashion statements for the inauguration.
Many designers have to deal with backlash from clients, both in person and on social media.
Adam released a statement about the coat on Instagram, writing, “The tradition of the presidential inauguration embodies the beauty of American democracy, and today we dress our first lady, Melania Trump, in this coat. I was blessed with an honor,” he wrote.
The Buffalo, New York-born fashion designer continued: Trump’s costumes were created by some of America’s finest craftsmen, and I take great pride in sharing such work with the world. ”
Pierre commented, “This is Adam’s masterpiece…so chic…and the construction…everything is perfect.”
While many praised the style as “pure elegance” and “breathtaking”, others took issue with the American designer’s decision to dress her.
One commenter wrote, “I wonder how much it costs your soul.”
“I don’t know who those naysayers are, but they lack character and taste,” said another.
