Melania Trump has stepped out in the first of what is expected to be an array of designer gowns she will don over the next week as her husband Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States.
Donning a glittering gold gown by Reem Acra, the incoming First Lady dazzled in the figure hugging frock by the Lebanese-born, US-based designer for the campaign donors dinner held at Union Station in Washington DC.
“The First Lady-elect is wearing the renowned international designer, Reem Acra, to celebrate the 58th presidential inauguration at a candlelight dinner with her husband, President-elect Donald Trump, and their supporters,” a spokeswoman for Trump said Thursday according to WWD.
“Mrs. Trump appreciates the well wishes she has received from around the world and looks forward to participating in the events of the next few days along with the American people.”
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Earlier in the day Melania stepped out weating a black military-style coat by Norisol Ferrari for a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
The coat was chosen to pay homage to American military service members, with the designer’s own father a wounded veteran who sustained lifelong disabilities in the line of service.
When asked about the First Lady wearing her piece, the New York City designer said her first thought was, “God, I hope we can be a less angry nation.”
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As for the current fashion-industry stand-off between designers who refuse to dress Trump, Ferrari said she is about empowering women and is opposed to discrimination.
“I am absolutely opposed to discrimination in any way. I wanted to give her her own voice,” she continued. “Empowering women is all that matters to me. I do not discriminate whether for race, religion, color of skin, sexuality, political affiliation – what have you. No, I do not believe in it in any form.”
“I really saw a person who is being misunderstood who is being scrutinized. She’s a woman and a mother and I am pro-woman. That at the end of the day is very important to me – equality for women and for all human beings. If that’s what I really believe, I had to do it.”
