These Designers Refuse to Dress Melania Trump for the Inauguration
The task of dressing the First Lady for the presidential inauguration has long been considered an honor for fashion designers. When Michelle Obama wore a white Jason Wu gown for the Inaugural Ball in 2009, the look instantly became iconic, catapulting the young designer into the fashion stratosphere. This year, with Melania Trump taking on the role, the same designers aren't jumping at the opportunity to dress her. In fact, at least eight — including Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, and Philip Lim — have come out to say that if given the opportunity, they will not dress Melania on January 20th.
In contrast, there are several other well-known designers, like Dolce & Gabbana and Tommy Hilfiger, who have come to the incoming First Lady's defense, stating that they'd be happy to dress her for the occasion. Stefano Gabbana of Dolce & Gabbana even went as far as calling Melania a "#DGwoman."
With Inauguration Day quickly approaching, we're eager to see who will dress Melania, and risk the backlash that could come with the decision. Or perhaps the First Lady will purchase a dress on her own. Ahead, see which designers are willing — and unwilling — to dress Melania Trump on her big day.
Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images1/21Sophie Thelleat: No
Sophie Thelleat's dresses have been worn by Michelle Obama since the beginning of her time as the First Lady. The same will not be said for Melania Trump. In an open letter, the designer wrote: "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."
WireImage2/21Calvin Klein: Yes
From Michelle Obama to Hillary Clinton, legendary American designer, Calvin Klein has dressed countless women in the political spotlight over the years. When asked about dressing Melania Trump, he made it clear that he would continue on this tradition. He told TMZ, "Of course I would."
Getty Images3/21Rag & Bone: Yes
Rag & Bone made denim bags to support Barack Obama in 2012, and designer Marcus Wainwright isn't opposed to designing for the new First Family. “It would be hypocritical to say no to dressing a Trump. If we say we are about inclusivity and making American manufacturing great again, then we have to put that before personal political beliefs," he told The New York Times.
Getty Images4/21Altuzarra: Maybe
Michelle Obama-favorite Joseph Altuzarra stayed neutral when asked by The New York Times about dressing the Trump family. He said: “I don’t want to not dress people I disagree with.”
Getty Images5/21Tracy Reese: Maybe
Michelle Obama's worn Tracy Reese's designs throughout her time at the White House. So, when it came time to decide whether to dress the new First Lady, Tracy decided to take Mrs. Obama's advice and 'go high.' She told Elle: "I don't believe in a negative approach. I'll put it that way. It's easy enough to abstain or whatever, but I don't believe in taking a negative approach. It's a free country — or it used to be."
Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images6/21Tommy Hilfiger: Yes
In contrast to several other designers, Tommy Hilfiger expressed enthusiasm about dressing the Trumps. "I think Melania is a very beautiful woman and I think any designer should be proud to dress her. Ivanka is equally as beautiful and smart, although she wears her own clothes," he told WWD. "I don’t think people should become political about it. Everyone was very happy to dress Michelle [Obama] as well. I think they look great in the clothes. You’re not gonna get much more beautiful than Ivanka or Melania."
FilmMagic7/21Marc Jacobs: No
Marc Jacobs has long been a liberal advocate and an outspoken supporter of Hillary Clinton. So, it comes as no surprise that he told WWD he will not be on the list of those willing to dress Melania for the inauguration. “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 Trump and his supporters.”
WireImage8/21Tom Ford: No
Tom Ford told [The View] in November, “I was asked to dress her [Melania] quite a few years ago and I declined; she’s not necessarily my image.” He went on: "Even had Hillary won she shouldn’t be wearing my clothes, they’re too expensive. They’re not artificially expensive, it’s how much it costs to make these things. I think the first lady has to relate to anybody.”
FilmMagic9/21Diane von Furstenberg: Yes
Even though Diane von Furstenberg dressed Michelle Obama and campaigned for Hillary Clinton, she'd still dress Melania Trump if asked. In fact, she views it as a way to lead by example. She tells WWD: "Donald Trump was elected and he will be our president. Melania deserves the respect of any first lady before her. Our role as part of the fashion industry is to promote beauty, inclusiveness, diversity. We should each be the best we can be and influence by our example.”
Getty Images for Off The Record10/21John Varvatos: Maybe
"I think it is silly. Melania Trump hasn't done anything to anybody," John Varvatos told The Cut. "You don't have to be a supporter. But listen, this is what is great about this country: Everyone is entitled to their opinion. If that's [Sophie Theallet's] opinion, that's okay. It is not my opinion. What is great about this country is that everyone has a voice."
WireImage11/21Derek Lam: No
While Derek Lam was one of the young American designers that Michelle Obama helped bring into the spotlight, it seems unlikely that he will dress Melania Trump for the Inauguration or otherwise. When asked if he would like to continue having his looks in the White House, he told WWD: “While I have incredible respect for our country’s political institutions, I find it challenging to be personally involved in dressing the new first lady. I would rather concentrate my energies on efforts towards a more just, honorable and a mutually respectful world. I don’t know Melania Trump personally, so I don’t wish my comments to seem I am prejudging her personal values, but I really don’t see myself getting involved with the Trump presidency.”
Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images12/21Carolina Herrera: Yes
Iconic designer Carolina Herrera is known for her breathtaking gowns: dresses that are perfect for the many black tie events that a First Lady is required to attend. If asked, it seems likely that she will dress Melania Trump for the Inauguration. She also feels that designers will come to embrace Melania in the upcoming months. She told The Business of Fashion: “I think that in two or three months, they’ll reach out, because it’s fashion. You’ll see everyone dressing Melania. She’s representing the United States.”
NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images13/21Christian Siriano: No
A staunch advocate for diversity in fashion, Christian Siriano said he would have a difficult time dressing the incoming First Lady. He told Access Hollywood: “It would be hard for anyone, especially for someone like myself, a young gay fashion designer, I can’t support a campaign where I might not have the same rights. I just got married. There’s lots of deep things that get into it … Hopefully things will be great.”
Getty Images14/21Jeremy Scott: Maybe
Jeremy Scott said he would consider dressing Melania if asked. He told Vanity Fair: "I’m going to give Melania the benefit of the doubt … Obviously, she looks great, but I can’t divorce it from who she is. I don’t know Melania. We don’t know Melania.”
Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images15/213.1 Phillip Lim: No
This past Halloween, Michelle Obama rocked a perfect yellow sweater by 3.1 Phillip Lim, which gained the designer plenty of positive attention. However, when it comes to dressing Melania Trump for her first appearance as First Lady, it looks the like Phillip will politely decline. The brand released the following heartfelt statement via WWD: "As a global brand, we are always looking to partner with individuals that we have authentic relationships with — ultimately, women and men that share similar set of values, desires and ideologies: inclusion, diversity, justice, consciousness, innovation…. With that said, we do not have a current relationship with Mrs. Trump and I don’t foresee a relationship developing under the Trump administration.”
AFP/Getty Images16/21Kenzo (designer Humberto Leon): No
On a trip to Japan in 2015, Michelle Obama looked stunning as she stepped off of Air Force One in a bright yellow Kenzo dress. And while designer Humberto Leon was proud of that iconic moment, he is not willing to dress Melania Trump. In a Facebook post, he wrote, "No one should and if she buys your clothes, tell people you don't support it. You know who you are!"
Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images17/21Dolce & Gabbana: Yes
Designer Stefano Gabbana caused a social media firestorm when he called Melania Trump a "#DGwoman" on Instagram. In the comments, he maintained his support for her wearing his clothes. Over the next four years, it seems likely that we will see Melania wearing the brand often, maybe even at the Inauguration.
Getty Images18/21Thom Browne: Yes
Designer Thom Browne views dressing the First Lady as an honor rather than a political statement. He told WWD: "Out of respect for the position of the first lady of our United States, I would be honored to be considered to design for any first lady of the United States."
Getty Images19/21Rebecca Minkoff: No
While she never dressed First Lady Michelle Obama, Rebecca Minkoff designed items to benefit Michelle Obama's 2014 "Drink Up" Campaign. When it comes to working with Melania Trump, however, she has a more conflicted view. She told The Cut: "I have yet to dress a president, so I don't have hopes that I will. But to me, to each their own. We had already designed a whole range of safety-pin items, prior to them becoming symbolic, and so then we made an announcement that we are donating 100 percent of the proceeds to the ACLU."
Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images20/21Vera Wang: Maybe
Vera Wang has a long history designing for political figures; she even designed Chelsea Clinton's wedding gown. So, it stands to reason that she'd take a diplomatic approach when asked about dressing Melania Trump. She told WWD: "We have not been contacted by the Trump campaign or administration thus far. But the first lady-elect should support American fashion, as did her predecessors.”
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