Melania Trump's Inauguration Outfits and the Story Behind Them
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Melania Trump has officially taken the reins as FLOTUS. She follows Michelle Obama, who championed young American designers during her time in the White House, leaving the fashion world to wonder what's in store.
Melania kicked off the inauguration in looks that are certainly punctuated with meaning, opting for Ralph Lauren's blue cashmere for this morning's ceremony — a coat in a '60s silhouette that conjures images of Jackie Kennedy — and finishing the day in a trendy piece she cocreated with Hervé Pierre.
Read on to see what else Melania wore, then track some of the most iconic first lady gowns in history.
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Melania's Hervé Pierre Ballgown
Melania collaborated on her inaugural dress with Hervé Pierre, former creative director of Carolina Herrera. The French designer gave a lengthy interview to Harper's Bazaar, detailing Melania's specific preferences and close attention to detail. Pierre suggested his relationship with Melania will continue — perhaps he might even become her official stylist.
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Melania's Ralph Lauren Inauguration Day Look
Melania's spokesperson said the first lady chose Ralph Lauren because he "transformed American fashion." The blue cashmere wrap set allowed Melania a monochrome look on Inauguration Day, as she finished her outfit with matching pumps.
A source at Ralph Lauren, however, revealed to Glamour that the brand is receiving backlash: "We immediately started to get complaints about Melania Trump wearing [the label]. And people are using the #boycottralphlauren hashtag."
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Many compared the '60s-inspired silhouette to the button-front design Jackie Kennedy wore for the 1961 inauguration.
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Melania's Reem Acra Gown
Melania chose a dress by Reem Acra, who is a Lebanese designer now based in New York. She wore the sequined formfitting gown for a dinner at Union Station the night before the inauguration.
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Melania's Norisol Ferrari Coat
Melania's double-breasted design had military flair for a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday. Norisol Ferrari is based in New York and felt a connection to the event since her father is a veteran.
"I am absolutely opposed to discrimination in any way. I wanted to give [Melania] her own voice. Empowering women is all that matters to me. I do not discriminate whether for race, religion, color of skin, sexuality, political affiliation — what have you. No, I do not believe in it in any form," Ferrari said to WWD, speaking to the hot topic of designers dressing Melania.
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Melania completed her Norisol Ferrari coat with a pair of Gucci sunglasses at the Arlington National Ceremony, causing some Twitter users to question her fashion choice and lack of respect, since she was shielding her eyes.