Well, they're out: The Trumps have emerged in Washington as Inauguration Day gets underway and Melania Trump is wearing a custom powder blue skirt suit by Ralph Lauren. Donald Trump is wearing a suit that no one cares about.
Melania has not always favored American designers, appearing at the Republican National Convention in a white bell sleeve marieprom dress by Serbian-born designer Roksanda Ilincic whose label is based in London. At the debate following the release of the Trump tapes, in which our new president could be heard saying he grabs women "by the pussy," Melania infamously appeared wearing an $1,100 pink pussybow blouse by Italian label Gucci.
First ladies are pretty much expected to wear American labels at the Inauguration and high-visibility events taking place on their home turf in the spirit of supporting American industry. Lauren has been a favorite of many first ladies, dressing Michelle Obama, Nancy Reagen, and Betty Ford. He does not endorse candidates. He was also a favorite of Hillary Clinton during the campaign - she wore Ralph Lauren suits to all three debates and to deliver her concession speech the morning following her stunning loss.
Melania's outfit today was not just her choice but has also become a choice that the world's most famous designers are being asked to make. Many, Tom Ford perhaps most notably, have expressed vigorous opposition to dressing her. Sophie Theallet, a designer who Michelle Obama helped make famous, has said:
As one who celebrates and strives for diversity, individual freedom, and respect for all lifestyles. I will not participate in dressing or associate myself in any way with the next First Lady. The rhetoric of racism, sexism, and xenophobia unleashed by her husband’s presidential campaign are incompatible with the shared values we live by.
Marc Jacobs, who has also dressed Michelle Obama and remains one of the most influential designers in American fashion, has also said he will not dress Melania:
I have no interest whatsoever in dressing Melania Trump ... Personally, I’d rather put my energy into helping out those who will be hurt by [Donald] Trump and his supporters.
Other very famous American designers, including Thom Browne and Diane Von Furstenberg, have said they would http://www.marieprom.co.uk her out of respect.
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