Top Fashion Designers, Brands and Publications refusing to give services to U.S President Elect Wife and Ex Glamour Model ( Seems She May Have to go Nude like before)

Melania wore a Gucci pussy bow blouse for the second presidential debate Credit: Patrick Semansky

 Come 2017, the biggest fashion trend wont be from one of the top designers this year, it will be Politics. Although It’s not often that the political and fashion worlds collide, but one designer brought the two industries into the same realm on Thursday afternoon. French designer and one of Michelle Obama's favorite designers, Sophie Theallet, announced that she will in no way take part in dressing, styling or working with the new first lady, Melania Trump.
She released  a heart felt letter on twitter on Thursday,

Open letter | Sophie Theallet | November 17th, 2016 pic.twitter.com/g1hIAyBmdF

— sophie theallet (@sophietheallet) 17th of November, 2016

  "As an immigrant myself in this country, I have been blessed with the opportunity to pursue my dreams in the USA. Dressing the First Lady Michelle Obama for the past 8 years has been a highlight and an honor. She has contributed to having our name recognized and respected worldwide,” Sophie writes. She goes on to criticize the incoming administration: “As one who celebrates and strives for diversity, individual freedom, and respect for all lifestyles, I will not participate in dressing or associating in any way with the next First Lady. The rhetoric of racism, sexism, and xenophobia unleashed any way by her husband's presidential campaign are incompatible with the shared values we live by.”

In Balmain and Michael Kors on election day Credit: MANDEL NGAN

Already designers have made their view about Melania clear by their attitude to seeing her wear their clothes on the campaign trail - conspicuous silence. When she wore pieces she'd bought at Net-A-Porter from Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Roksanda and Emilia Wickstead for key moments in the campaign, the usual statements of being 'honoured and delighted' which are so often forthcoming from designers' press offices did not emerge.

     Also, Kaelen Haworth,  who is well recognized for her creations for Blake Lively and Elizabeth Banks, announced after the election that proceeds from items sold on her website would be donated to organizations opposed by Trump. The list includes Planned Parenthood, Black Lives Matter, and Everytown for Gun Safety. It's a similar story amongst fashion writers and publications who, having spent years covering Obama's style religiously (and fruitfully), are now pondering how to tackle covering Melania. (One US company have apparently decided non of their publications will write about her style).The irony is that as a former model Trump knows how to wear clothes - and to many women she will represent the epitome of aspirational polish.

Melania- wearing a Ralph Lauren jumpsuit- with the President-elect and their son Barron after the election victory Credit: CARLO ALLEGRI

 Perhaps that's why for all the Theallet-style sentiment, there are designers who are being more measured in their approach to Melania. "I’m going to give Melania the benefit of the doubt,” Moschino creative director Jeremy Scott told Vanity Fair this week. “She looks good in clothes. She wears them well, she’s got a good figure... Obviously [Melania] looks great, but I can’t divorce it from who she is. I don’t know Melania. We don’t know Melania.” Joseph Altuzarra was  equally tentative, telling the New York Times, "I don't want to not dress people I disagree with." In fact, some designers believe that by boycotting Trump, they could be going against the very values which they claim to be defending. "It would be hypocritical to say no to dressing a Trump," Marcus Wainwright of Rag & Bone has said. "If we say we are about inclusivity and making American manufacturing great again, then we have to put that before personal political beliefs.



 According to Carolina Herrera, a stalwart of American elegance who has dressed numerous First Ladies. After all, she has the air of someone used to dust settling after a drama “I think that in two or three months they’ll reach out, because it’s fashion. You’ll see everyone dressing Melania. She’s representing the United States,” Herrera told Business of Fashion.

 What's your take on this?

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