Melania Trump Drops the Now-Viral Hat, Chooses Black-and-White Gown for Inaugural Ball
First lady Melania Trump wore a black-and-white gown to celebrate President Donald Trump’s inaugural ball on Monday, Jan. 20.
Melania walked out next to the 47th president at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center wearing a strapless white gown with a geometric black trim and a small slit. The look was paired with white heels and a thick, black choker.
According to Invariant Vice President of Brand Strategy & External Affairs Kate Bennett, the dress was designed by Hervé Pierre, Melania’s longtime style advisor. Pierre also made her first inaugural gown.
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At the 2017 inaugural ball, which marked the beginning of her husband’s first term, Melania wore an off-the-shoulder vanilla gown with a high slit and red silk belt, created by Pierre.
For Donald’s first inauguration ceremony eight years ago, the former model chose a powder-blue Ralph Lauren cashmere ensemble with matching gloves and heels.
For Donald’s second inauguration, Melania stepped out in a navy coat and skirt from New York designer Adam Lippes. The daytime outfit was accessorized with a wide-brimmed hat that obscured much of her face, marking a departure from first ladies’ typical Inauguration Day attire.
At one point, when the president-elect went to kiss her during the swearing-in ceremony, he wasn’t able to make contact with her cheek, instead giving her an air kiss.
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The last first lady to wear a hat to a presidential inauguration was Hillary Clinton in 1993, who wore a blue velvet bowler that did not conceal her eyes.
In a 2017 interview with The New York Times, Pierre gave a glimpse into why he wanted to work with the polarizing figure.
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“The beauty of this country is it’s a democracy, so some people want to dress certain people and some people don’t want to. I choose to,” Pierre said at the time.
Melania’s 2017 inaugural ball gown was donated to the Smithsonian’s First Ladies Collection, which has gathered more than two dozen first lady dresses from past decades in an attempt to document history.
