It’s no secret that women in politics make headlines based on their physical appearance, and now that the media is done obsessing over what Hillary Clinton’s next Ralph Lauren pantsuit will look like, all eyes are on Melania — the same way they’ve been on First Lady Michelle Obama.
Michelle, a revered style icon since she first stepped into the White House eight years ago, has been a topic of discussion by fashion critics and also graced fashion magazines on more than one occasion — in fact, she’s this year’s American Vogue December cover star. But will the fashion industry embrace Melania the way they’ve embraced former US first ladies of fashion, like Jackie Kennedy (think Chanel and Dior) and Nancy Reagan, a close friend of Oscar de la Renta?
Michelle Obama on the December 2016 cover of American Vogue If French designer Sophie Theallet’s feelings are any indication of what the fashion industry thinks, Melania isn’t off to a good start. Sophie penned an open letter in which she says she will not be dressing the new first lady, and urged the rest of the fashion industry to join her in boycotting Mrs Trump.
“I am well aware it is not wise to get involved in politics,” Sophie wrote. “That said, as a family-owned company, our bottom line is not just about money.”
In the same letter, Sophie, who has dressed Michelle Obama in the White House for the past eight years, describes the opportunity as “a highlight and an honour” because Michelle’s “values, actions and grace have always resonated deeply within [her].”
French fashion designer Sophie Theallet She continued: “As one who celebrates and strives for diversity, individual freedom and respect for all lifestyles, I will not participate in dressing or associating 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.”
However, US designer Tommy Hilfiger has come to Melania’s defence, telling Women’s Wear Daily, “I think Melania is a very beautiful woman and I think any designer should be proud to dress her.” But Tommy might be one of few designers who thinks there should be a divide between state and fashion.
American fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger Marc Jacobs, Prabal Gurung and Tory Burch are just some of the big names who created merchandise for Hillary’s 2016 campaign, and are unlikely to work with Melania since they’ve established great relationships with Michelle over the years.
When The Daily Beast approached big names like Jason Wu, Thakoon and Narciso Rodriguez, all of them declined to comment. Similarly, Michael Kors, Carolina Herrera and Diane von Furstenburg would not provide their opinions on the matter to Women’s Wear Daily.
I suppose we’ll need to wait and see who is team Melania and who is not.
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