French designer Sophie Theallet made headlines this week when she declared she will never dress incoming First Lady, Melania Trump.
“The Sophie Theallet brand stands against all discrimination and prejudice,” the designer said. “As one who celebrates and strives for diversity, individual freedom, and respect for all lifestyles, I will not participate in dressing or associate myself in any way with the next First Lady. The rhetoric of racism, sexism and xenophobia unleashed by her husband’s presidential campaign are incompatible with the shared values we live by.”
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Theallet went on to urge other designers to join her and boycott the Trumps as well. “Integrity is our only true currency,” she added.
Iconic American designer Tommy Hilfiger disagrees with the designers stance and says he would be “proud” to dress the former model.
“I think Melania is a very beautiful woman and I think any designer should be proud to dress her,” Hilfiger told Women’s Wear Daily at the Angel Ball in New York City.
“Ivanka is equally as beautiful and smart, although she wears her own clothes. I don’t think people should become political about it. Everyone was very happy to dress Michelle [Obama] as well. I think they look great in the clothes. You’re not gonna get much more beautiful than Ivanka or Melania.”
No other designers besides Hifiger have spoken publicy about Theallet’s boycott, despite many of the industry’s biggest names publicy supporting Hillary Clinton throughout the presidential election campaign.
