Melania Trump's Inaugural Ball gown may have been a nod to the American Dream.
The first lady attended three balls on Monday night after her husband, Donald Trump, was inaugurated as the 47th U.S. president.
Melania wore a dress by French-American designer Herve Pierre, which was complimented by a black choker from jeweler Harry Winston.
Newsweek contacted the First Lady's office, and representatives of Pierre, the Smithsonian Museum and Harry Winston, for comment.
Why It Matters
The fashion choices of the first ladies have always been a point of conversation and what they choose to wear at the Inauguration Balls even features as an exhibit at the Smithsonian Museum.
Winston himself is no stranger to decorating famous women with famous jewels and even donated a series of diamonds, including the 45.52 carat Hope Diamond, to the Smithsonian.
What to Know
Melania wore a floor-length white, strapless gown with a ribbon-like piece of black material wrapped around the dress designed by Pierre who also created her look for the 2017 Inauguration Balls for Trump's first term in office.
"It was such an honor to create the dress for the First Lady Melania Trump tonight.. I can't thank her enough... it was a wonderful project, a great collaboration... as always !!!!" Pierre wrote on Instagram along a sketch of the dress.
But it was the Harry Winston jewel that held a secret nod to the American Dream, according to according to people online.
The famous diamond house was launched by its namesake in the 1930s and he quickly became known as the "King of Diamonds" and "Jeweler to the Stars."
He spearheaded the tradition for loaning exquisite jewels to stars for major events such as the Academy Awards. Winston dressed everyone from Marilyn Monroe to Katherine Hepburn and even designed the engagement ring of former First Lady Jackie Kennedy, when she became betrothed to Aristotle Onassis.
After donating diamonds to the Smithsonian to start the National Gem Collection, Winston had hoped to start permanent collection of gems worn by First Ladies which he wanted to call, "American Queens," according to the Daily Mail.
But his hopes were dashed multiple times by the museum who said the concept was "inconsistent with our democratic traditions."
What People Are Saying
One person took to X, formerly Twitter, to explain the signfigance of Melania's outfit.
"Melania Trump's inaugural ball gown has already entered the pantheon of iconic fashion moments. But let's uncover its little secret! A subtle tribute to the American Dream 🇺🇸," wrote @mamboitliano in a viral thread that has been viewed more than 7.7 million times.
"Crafted in off-white silk crepe and strapless, the gown is adorned with two black gazar bands that bring the ensemble to life in a three-dimensional interplay of geometry, music, dance, and, according to some, a stylized bouquet ✨," they wrote of the Pierre gown.
The X user analyzed the choice of the Harry Winston choker and what it represented, including Winston's hard work as the son of Ukrainian immigrants to hustle and become a great success, thus ultimately realizing the American Dream. This could have a extra symbolism for Melania who was born in Slovenia and later moved to the U.S.
"In just two decades, Winston became one of the most famous jewelers in the world, due to his exceptional skill in crafting fine jewelry, even being mentioned by Marilyn Monroe in the song "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" 💎," they wrote.
"At the end of this analysis of the details, we can, with a bit of imagination—as fashion often invites us to do—see that this elegance pays homage to tradition, the American Dream, and prosperity 🇺🇸 The new golden age has just begun ✨!" the thread concluded.
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