Melania Trump and her stylist Herve Pierre have pulled out a number of looks over the last few days for the inaugural celebrations, with the Commander-in-Chief Ball outfit on Monday evening particularly turning heads.
The star opted for a strapless white silk gown, adding the monochrome effect with black silk bands running down the front. Melania added a black ribbon choker to finish off the look, topped off with a borrowed 1955 diamond flower brooch by American luxury jeweller Harry Winston. Pierre emphasised the outfit was true to the First Lady’s ‘style and vision’.
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Getty Images)The design of the brooch is said to have reflected the concept of the dress, a ribbon encircling flowers, said Pierre.
Pierre looks to have echoed Audrey Hepburn in the look, in particular, her role in My Fair Lady. The white and black dress, designed in the 1950s by designer and photographer Cecil Beaton is worn by Eliza Doolittle (Audrey Hepburn), a working class girl who transforms into a star whilst wearing a monochrome dress which has lines very similar to the First Lady's.
Meanwhile, Melania's brooch is a step away from tradition First Lady fashion. As the 1955 flower brooch created by US jewellery icon Harry Winston, worn on her black ribbon choker, was initially rejected by government officials in 1982. This was because they said the concept was 'inconsistent with our democratic traditions' and believed the people of America would be ‘offended’ by something reminiscent of crown jewels.
It’s not the first time the First Lady turned heads this week, as the price of her inauguration outfit made eyes water. As her husband Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, Melania opted for a custom double-breasted navy coat by Adam Lippes, paired with a matching boater hat by Eric Javits, sticking to the monochrome theme.
However, these hats don’t come cheap, as experts highlight the thing that sets Eric Javits hats apart from other brands is their attention to detail and craftsmanship. A small hat from the designer goes on sale for around £300.
"Mrs. Trump’s outfit was created by some of America’s finest craftsmen and I take great pride in showing such work to the world,” the designer told Vogue.
Melania’s coat also wouldn’t have come cheap with a similar double breasted coat on Adam Lippe’s website on sale for £3,000. However, with Melania’s custom design, hers was expected to go for a substantial amount more.
It wasn’t the First Lady's first inauguration, with her husband first being sworn in in 2017. "It can be a daunting task, to choose an outfit that will be mesmerised and become part of our nation's story and forever history,” she said of the pressures of choosing an all important outfit.
Eight years ago, Melania opted for a Ralph Lauren designed powder blue dress, a stark contract to the theme of 2025.
English (US) ·