Current FLOTUS – Melania Trump – is definitely regarded as an influential woman within the fashion industry. Her sophisticated style typically consists of sharply cut lines, traditionally feminine silhouettes and her patent stilettos. As a former model, her style encapsulates all of the elements associated with a powerful woman, and arguably communicates through her clothes in a very political way.
Known for her extravagant taste, the First Lady chose New York designer, Adam Lippes, to create the outfit for her husband’s inauguration. Consisting of a navy wool coat and austere boater-style hat, the ensemble was sleek with clean-cut lines. Lippes is known for his timeless, elegant designs and impeccable craftsmanship. Despite this, her hat was the subject of mockery online as it not only obscured her eyes but also restricted her husband from kissing her cheek due to the large perimeter of the hat.
The first lady also made a dramatic appearance at the inaugural ball, in a white and black silk gown which she paired with a black choker. The bodice of the dress featured a linear black squiggle, which emulated a ribbon and elegantly extended to the base of the skirt. Lippes’ dresses reflect her lavish tastes, as prices begin at £1,000 and can reach £7,500 in some cases. However, this level of extravagance is not widespread among the majority of citizens, especially since roughly 30% of US citizens live paycheck to paycheck, according to the Bank of America’s internal data.
Intriguingly, her most recent inauguration outfit and Ralph Lauren ensemble from the 2016 ceremony were both shades of blue, a colour associated with the Democratic party and not the Republican party. Her official portrait is a black and white photograph, depicting her in a suit as she leans over a desk, looking at the viewer directly. Compared to her official portrait from 2017, she seems much more determined and committed to her role as first lady.
Throughout her husband’s campaign, she has remained in a fairly muted colour palette and generally avoided bright colours, in contrast to her outfits during her husband’s 2015 campaign. One recurring theme is that she favours the combination of black and white, which was echoed in her 27th October appearance at the Madison Square Garden rally, where she wore a zebra print dress as she spoke in favour of her husband. It was echoed in the black and white polkadot dress choice that she made to vote on the most recent election day. The lack of prominent colour may be intentionally done, to shift the focus away from her appearance and onto her husband’s politics. Her oversized sunglasses also suggest this as they obscure her eyes, adding an inconspicuous element to her intentions.
Whilst her wardrobe is lavish and sophisticated, it does appear that she is intentionally trying to shift the focus away from herself and towards her husband. Despite this, she is constantly the subject of fashion magazines, and her recent looks appear classy yet understated, adding to her enigmatic presence.
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash