Trump Inauguration Fashion: Melania's American Brands and Luxury's Political Calculus
The focus of the article is on the fashion choices at Donald Trump's inauguration in 2025. Melania Trump showcased a navy blue coat and hat designed by Eric Javits, complemented by a coat and skirt from Adam Lippes and a cream blouse styled by Hervé Pierre, signaling a preference for American designers. Ivanka Trump opted for a blue outfit by Dior, while Usha Vance wore a pink coat from Oscar de la Renta. Male guests adhered to a formal dress code, with Republicans sporting red ties and Democrats in blue. Notable attendees included luxury mogul Bernard Arnault and tech leaders like Bezos, Zuckerberg, and Musk, reflecting improved relations with the Trump family. This shift follows past controversies, such as designers declining to dress Melania in 2016 and Ralph Lauren facing a boycott in 2017, possibly influenced by concerns over tariffs and luxury market dynamics.
Key facts
- Melania Trump wore a navy blue hat by Eric Javits, a navy blue coat and tube skirt by Adam Lippes, and a cream high-neck blouse at the 2025 inauguration.
- Her outfit was styled by Hervé Pierre, former designer at Carolina Herrera.
- Ivanka Trump wore a blue Dior outfit with a shield hat.
- Usha Vance wore a pink Oscar de la Renta coat and later a Gaurav Gupta dress.
- Male attendees wore suits, white shirts, and ties; Republicans wore red ties, Democrats blue, but former presidents and Trump did not follow.
- Bernard Arnault attended with his children Delphine (CEO of Christian Dior) and Alexandre (recently moved from Tiffany to Moët Hennessy).
- Tech CEOs present included Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Sundar Pichai, Sam Altman, Shou Chew, and Elon Musk.
- In 2016, Marc Jacobs, Phillip Lim, and Derek Lam refused to dress Melania Trump.
- Ralph Lauren faced a #BoycottRalphLauren hashtag after dressing Trump in 2017.
- Only Tommy Hilfiger and Thom Browne said they would dress the Trumps in 2017.
- Bernard Arnault attended a state dinner hosted by Biden in 2022 and a reception for Joe Biden with Emmanuel Macron in June 2024.
- Alexandre Arnault attended a Trump-Vance rally at Madison Square Garden in October 2024.
- The global luxury market lost about 50 million consumers in 2024.
Entities
Artists
- Melania Trump
- Donald Trump
- Ivanka Trump
- Usha Vance
- Bernard Arnault
- Delphine Arnault
- Alexandre Arnault
- Jeff Bezos
- Mark Zuckerberg
- Sundar Pichai
- Sam Altman
- Shou Chew
- Elon Musk
- Eric Javits
- Adam Lippes
- Hervé Pierre
- Carolina Herrera
- Marc Jacobs
- Phillip Lim
- Derek Lam
- Ralph Lauren
- Tommy Hilfiger
- Thom Browne
- Michelle Obama
- Jill Biden
- Kamala Harris
- Hillary Clinton
- Laura Bush
- Mamie Eisenhower
- Nancy Reagan
- Jackie Kennedy
- Isabel Toledo
- Alexandra O'Neill
- Jason Wu
- Christopher John Rogers
- Kerby Jean-Raymond
- Sergio Hudson
- Gaurav Gupta
- Oscar de la Renta
- J.D. Vance
- Joe Biden
- Bill Clinton
- George W. Bush
- Barack Obama
- Emmanuel Macron
- François-Henri Pinault
Institutions
- Christian Dior
- Tiffany & Company
- Moët Hennessy
- Amazon
- Meta
- OpenAI
- TikTok
- Ralph Lauren
- Tommy Hilfiger
- Thom Browne
- Dolce & Gabbana
- Alexander McQueen
- J Crew
- Gap
- Pyer Moss
- Oscar de la Renta
- Gaurav Gupta
- Eric Javits
- Adam Lippes
- Hervé Pierre
- Carolina Herrera
- Louis Vuitton
- Kering
- Smithsonian Museum of National History
- Capitol Rotunda
- Madison Square Garden
- Artribune
Locations
- Capitol Rotunda
- Washington, D.C.
- United States
- Texas
- New York
- India
- France