Melania Trump snubbed by designers days before inauguration

Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. His wife, Melania Trump, was, of course, by his side at the Capitol, where just four years prior, the world witnessed thousands storm the Capitol building. This time, because of the weather, the inauguration was held inside, without any fans – or protesters – nearby.

By all accounts, Donald and Melania have been preparing for their White House takeover for months. During that time, the Slovenian-born Melania has released her memoir, as well as confirmed a new television documentary.

Melania has a long history in the fashion industry. She began her professional career as a model in New York City before meeting her husband. Her fashionable outfits have been many over the years, and when she was First Lady during Trump’s first presidential term, some noticed a big change in her style. Interestingly, not everyone’s willing to help her; it turns out that many designers have declined to assist Melania in recent times — and one designer might know why.

Donald and Melania Trump has returned to the White House. Following the former The Apprentice star and real estate mogul’s presidential election win in November, Trump has made clear his plans around his second term.

In the meantime, weeks before the election, Melania released her memoir, Melania, and just days before the inauguration of the 47th President of the United States, the First Lady revealed a new step towards being much more in the spotlight.

Since leaving the White House in 2020, Melania and her son, Barron, have rarely been seen in public. But as the former model returns to the world stage, she will do so not only in front of paparazzi cameras, but also as part of an upcoming documentary.

On January 6, Amazon confirmed they had begun filming a new behind-the-scenes film about the soon-to-be First Lady Melania. Besides the documentary, which will be released in theaters later this year, a follow-up documentary series is reportedly also being produced.

Melania Trump reveals new documentary

As per Puck News, three people familiar with the deal said it’s worth $40 million in licensing. The project began filming in December 2024 and will be released in theaters and on the streaming platform in the second half of 2025.

“Prime Video will be sharing more details on the project as filming progresses and release plans are finalized,” Amazon said in a statement. “We are excited to share this truly unique story with our millions of customers around the world.”

Melania appeared on Fox & Friends a week ago to discuss the new documentary. She explained that her memoir was “such a success” that she felt people would love to hear more from her.

“So I had an idea to make a movie, to make a film about my life. My life is incredible. It’s incredibly busy and I told my agent I have this idea so please go out and make a deal for me. We started the production in November and we are shooting right now. So it’s a day-to-day life. What I’m doing, what kind of responsibilities I have, people they don’t really know and they will see it,” Melania told Fox.

“It’s day-to-day from transition team to moving to the White House, packing, establishing my team, the First Lady office, moving into the White House. What it takes to make the residents your home, to hire the people that you need.”

The incoming First Lady also discussed moving into the White House again, explaining that this time would be different as she knew the process.

“I have the plans, I could move in, I already packed, I already selected the furniture that needs to go in, so it’s a very different transition this time, second time around,” Melania said.

Melania Trump’s style through the years

“What happened is on January 20, the transition team has only five hours to move Bidens out and to move us in, so everything needs to be planned to the minute.”

Melania has been used to the spotlight her entire adult life. She began her career as a model, leaving her home country of Slovenia at a young age to try and make it in America, and she did great. As she was a little older than other supermodels, she had more opportunities, ultimately leading her to even more success.

The modeling industry can be harsh, with stereotypes that aren’t healthy for models, especially those of young age. In Melania’s case, it appears as if everything ran smoothly, and because of her expertise in the industry, fashion has always been important to her. Over the course of her career and marriage to Donald Trump, Melania has always worn some of the most expensive brands in the world… and wore them to perfection.

However, something changed when she entered the political sphere with her husband, then running for President of the United States for the first time in 2016. At the time, Melania had changed her clothing quite a lot. However, she said it wasn’t too challenging.

“I don’t find it to be challenging. I style myself and choose what to wear based on what I feel good in it,” Melania said in 2016.

Melania Trump branded “ice queen” while wearing white on television

Speaking with Elle the same year, Patsy Cisneros, an LA-based political image consultant, stated that Melania was actually one of the few on television who could carry wearing white.

“Very few people can wear white on television. Because she’s so statuesque, it worked. It filled her out, rather than emphasizing how tall and thin she is,” Cisneros said, branding Melania the “ice queen.”

“It softened her,” the image consultant added.

As mentioned, Melania has always been interested in fashion. When she married one of the richest men in New York, Donald Trump, her wardrobe changed quite dramatically to hold even more expensive clothes. When the couple married in Palm Beach in 2005, her wedding gown — a custom-made Dior — reportedly cost $100,000.

Speaking with Elle, Beth Dincuff Charleston, a part-time assistant professor of fashion history at Parsons and an expert on First Lady fashion, says that the 2005 Melania is very different from what we see today.

“Her style has matured. I think it’s gotten a little more in line with what we think of as first lady style,” Charleston said, adding that the biggest difference is that Melania has gotten less revealing. “I don’t think we’ll ever see her in those babydoll dresses she used to wear.”

“My style has stayed pretty consistent”

Melania also spoke to Elle about her fashion style. But compared to Charleston, the First Lady didn’t feel as if her style had evolved at all.

“My style has stayed pretty consistent over the years,” Melania said. “I always wear what I like and what is appropriate for the occasion.”

Melania showed off some more incredible outfits with her husband during her first term at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Now, it’s time for her and Donald’s second tenure at the White House, and the first step towards the world’s most recognized house starts at the US Capitol.

Earlier today, Donald was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, and many renowned guests were in attendance. However, as with every inauguration, a lot of talk beforehand has been about Melania and what she will be wearing. The inauguration is traditionally taking place outside. However, due to the unusually cold weather, it was held at the United States Capitol Rotunda.

It’s safe to say that Melania donned a beautiful outfit, just like all the First Ladies before her. But sadly, it appears that she had trouble getting a designer to do the job for her. Women’s Wear Daily reached out to 16 designers to ask if they would dress Melania. However, it appears that Mrs. Trump wasn’t that popular with the designers.

Designers brutally snub Melania Trump days before inauguration

Representatives for designer brands such as Michael Kors, Diotima’s Rachel Scott, Zankov’s Sergio Hudson, and House of Gilles declined to comment on whether they would want to work with Melania for the inauguration. Previously, during Donald Trump’s first term, designers such as Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs, and Jason Wu publicly refused to dress Melania.

One of those who has worked closely with Melania over the years is French designer Hervé Pierre. Speaking with Women’s Wear Daily, he explained that he hasn’t gotten a good answer as to why some people won’t work with the First Lady.

“I don’t really do that for the good reason that the fashion industry is not very welcoming [of Trump.] That’s no secret,” he explained. “Some are very open-minded and would be able to do something special. But a lot of people are not.”

The French designer recalled one time when his work with the Trumps negatively impacted his life. When shopping in a designer’s store in New York City, one person told him he “was not welcome here.”

“I understand that you can criticise Mrs. Trump, but to say to someone who is coming to shop – full-price, ‘You are not welcome here.’ That is something that I would have never expected,” Pierre said.

“Some of the designers here in New York are lovely. The Europeans are more open-minded. They see dressing Mrs. Trump, due to the press coverage that she is getting, as a business opportunity to generate sales and free publicity,”

Melania Trump was mocked by fans over Jimmy Carter funeral outfit

While Melania is usually praised for her outfits, fans thought differently just weeks ago when she and Donald attended the funeral of President Jimmy Carter, who passed away in late December at age 100.

Melania wore a long black wool belted coat with a white collar. This two-piece outfit had been a collaboration between house designer Pierpaolo Piccioli, Jun Takahashi of Japanese label Undercover, and a group called the Movement for the Emancipation of Poetry, whose members paste lyrical lines onto the walls and monuments of Italian cities.

While some thought it looked lovely, others branded Melania’s look improper. According to the Mirror, fans were “puzzled” by what she was wearing, even comparing her to a nun.

“I’m glad this time, Melania found an appropriate black dress to wear to a funeral,” one individual stated, sharing a manipulated image of her wearing a bonnet.

“She just got off the Mayflower,” a second commented.

Others compared Melania Trump to a “pilgrim.”

“WTF is Melania wearing did the nun store have a sale,” a third person commented, per the Daily Beast.

“Melania wearing a pilgrim outfit,” a fourth said, while a fifth added, “Looks like our next four years of ‘What the f— is Melania wearing?’ starts today.”

A sixth person concluded, “Did Melania just finish up cleaning the bathroom?”

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