Melania Trump's Stylist Wants You to Stop Reading Into Her Outfits
A First Lady’s wardrobe is often the subject of public scrutiny. That’s certainly been true of Melania Trump‘s fashion choices: Despite her insistence that the media and the President’s detractors assign meaning to her outfits where there is none, many of her looks have been criticized for their exorbitant price point and apparent mixed messaging. And with a white-out planned by Democratic lawmakers for the 2019 State of the Union, some wondered what the First Lady would wear to the event.
Trump and stylist Hervé Pierre landed on a black trench dress by Burberry for the President’s address to the nation. And in an interview with WWD, Pierre was quick to clarify that the public shouldn’t read into the choice of designer—or anything else she wears while residing in the White House.
“As long as I find the right outfit, the designer is almost irrelevant,” the stylist told WWD. “The designer, well, is Burberry, but it could have been anybody else. It has nothing to do with England or Brexit. If I would have to think of all these things when I look at dresses and outfits, I would lose my mind.
“Afterward, social media will go on about Brexit or whatever,” Pierre continued. “They have to do their own version of this. On my side, believe me, I don’t think of it. Because I don’t have time to do that.”
In the case of Trump’s State of the Union look, Pierre explained that the Burberry trench dress was a practical choice: “It’s very sharp and straight to the point. There is no room for fluff or something cute. I think she is a daring woman, but it has to be right. It is not a costume.” The stylist bought the dress for the First Lady in New York City, according to WWD. The Melton Wool Tailored Coat, from Riccardo Tisci’s debut collection from the brand, retails for $2,390.
Last year Trump wore a white Christian Dior pantsuit and Dolce & Gabbana blouse to the State of the Union. Some interpreted it as a reference to Hillary Clinton’s white inauguration pantsuit and the suffragette movement. Onlookers also noted that Dior is currently led by Maria Grazia Chiuri, a designer who has identified herself and her work as feminist.
According to Pierre, though, these interpretations simply aren’t something he thinks about when he’s dressing the First Lady. Her outfits may ignite conversation, but they’re apparently not intended to communicate any larger message.