First Lady Melania Trump Wears Chanel Haute Couture Gown to First State Dinner
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hosted their first official State Dinner at the White House Tuesday evening, in honor of French President Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron. In keeping with an unofficial custom, FLOTUS paid homage to the guests’ country of origin through her fashion, opting to wear a custom silver gown by Chanel Haute Couture.
PHOTO: Mark Wilson
The style was adapted from a jumpsuit that appeared on the house’s Spring 2018 couture runway, according to Vogue; FLOTUS appears to have requested the pants be changed to a floor-grazing sequin skirt, but that it maintain the same mesh neckline, crystal embellishments, and contrasting sheer hem.
PHOTO: Victor VIRGILE
Mrs. Macron, meanwhile, decided on a long-sleeved white dress by Louis Vuitton, also custom.
PHOTO: SAUL LOEB
This isn’t the first time Mrs. Trump wore Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel while in office, choosing a red Chanel coat for the National Christmas Tree Lighting in Washington, D.C., in December 2017.
PHOTO: Astrid Riecken
Historically, FLOTUS’ gowns for State Dinners have been informed by whoever they’re hosting. Michelle Obama famously picked designers and brands who had some sort of connection to the country her guests were from—like how she wore Jason Wu to greet Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Sophie Trudeau from Canada, and Atelier Versace for Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and Agnese Landini of Italy.
Since becoming First Lady, Mrs. Trump has received criticism for the high cost of the clothing she wears to official events, like the time she chose a $2,950 Delpozo dress to deliver a speech that referenced child hunger at the United Nations. An haute couture gown would certainly fall into that bucket, as these incredibly detailed, often meticulously hand-made garments come with exorbitant, only-upon-request price tags—especially if they’ve been customized.
Neither Chanel or Karl Lagerfeld have released a statement about dressing Mrs. Trump for the State Dinner, and requests to Chanel for comment weren’t immediately returned.
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