.png)
Mrs. Donald Trump, a.k.a Melania, born in Slovenia, is the second immigrant to serve as First Lady in U.S. history. During her husband’s first term, she was under intense scrutiny from America’s fashion world for frequently wearing European labels—Dolce & Gabbana and Alexander McQueen among her favorites. Even during much of Donald Trump’s recent campaign, she continued this trend, choosing Christian Dior on election night. However, her decision to wear Adam Lippes for the 2025 inauguration feels particularly deliberate.
From this writer’s perspective, it was an interesting choice. First Lady Melania Trump wore a silk-wool Adam Lippes coat and skirt with an ivory blouse, topped with a coordinating Eric Jarvis hat, as her 2025 inauguration ensemble—her first statement look as she and her husband returned to the White House.
Very American indeed. Native New Yorker Adam Lippes did not wait for an invitation to enter the fashion scene; he launched his own label and now runs a two-year-old independent business. Compared to the elder statesmen of American fashion—such as Ralph Lauren, who outfitted Melania Trump for her husband’s first inauguration—Lippes represents a new story in American style, much like the First Lady herself.
Her 2025 fashion choice appears to address the mixed messaging that characterized her wardrobe during Trump’s first term. While the former president promoted buying American, her clothing selections often told a different story.
That evening, Melania Trump continued in a similar vein, wearing a beautiful couture gown by French-born American citizen Herve Pierre, who has designed for three previous First Ladies—Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, and Michelle Obama. She stunned in a striking black-and-white gown designed by her longtime stylist Pierre for the three inaugural balls.
Ivanka’s Statement LookOn the other hand, Ivanka Trump opted for a monochromatic emerald green skirt suit and a matching hat for the inauguration. The jacket featured a V-neckline and an asymmetrical hem, cinched at the waist with a thin black belt. A fitted pencil skirt fell just below the knee, completing the tailored silhouette. Her jewelry was minimal—simple stud earrings—while black leather gloves, sheer tights, stilettos, and a black purse added refinement. She finished the look with her hair in a sleek bun, crowned with a coordinating green hat, tilted diagonally to the right.
At the inaugural balls, Ivanka mirrored her stepmother’s aesthetic with another black-and-white gown. Inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s iconic 1954 Sabrina look, Ivanka’s dress was a custom recreation of the Givenchy haute couture silhouette. The strapless gown featured a fitted bodice, a voluminous skirt, and intricate black lace detailing. She accessorized with black opera gloves, whereas Hepburn had originally worn white, and completed the ensemble with a striking diamond—an ultimate nod to timeless elegance.
Coordinated Messaging?So, what’s with the intentional fashion messaging? The ultra-conservative suits for the inauguration and the black-and-white gowns for the balls—were they meant to communicate something beyond style?
Are the Trump stepmother and daughter in sync? Are they signaling a deliberate, unified front for this second go-round? A fashion statement—or something more?