Melania Trump officially returned to the White House as First Lady for a second term, following Donald Trump’s swearing-in as the 47th President of the United States. The day was filled with celebrations and intense media coverage, with much attention focused on Melania’s style choices for the events.
Melania has long been a subject of fascination for fashion critics and the public alike, and her Inauguration Day outfits didn’t disappoint. However, her striking hat in particular sparked widespread discussion, while reports surfaced that some designers had declined to work with her leading up to the big day.
Over the years, Melania has collaborated with many designers, though Hervé Pierre Braillard, a New York City-based designer, has been a consistent presence. Braillard, known for his previous work as the creative director of Carolina Herrera, admitted that working with Melania has sometimes brought him backlash. He recalled being unwelcome in certain stores simply because of his association with the First Lady, despite being there as a paying customer. However, Braillard noted that European designers are often more open-minded, viewing the opportunity to dress Melania as good business due to the substantial media coverage.
When dressing Melania, Pierre revealed that she often opts for off-the-rack pieces from high-end brands such as Dior and Michael Kors, rather than custom-made designs. This practicality comes with its own challenges, as Pierre must ensure that the chosen pieces haven’t been worn on any red carpets to avoid comparisons in the media. Despite these difficulties, Pierre continues to craft iconic looks for Melania, including her Inaugural Ball gown.
For the day’s events, Melania wore a navy silk wool coat, paired with a skirt and ivory silk crepe blouse designed by American designer Adam Lippes. Her hat, created by Eric Javits, garnered significant attention. Javits described working with Melania as a career highlight, praising her natural beauty and elegance. While the hat made a strong statement, Donald joked during a speech that it almost blew away during a helicopter photo op.
