Melania Trump Unveils 2025 Inaugural Gown for Smithsonian

WASHINGTON – First Lady Melania Trump unveiled her black and white 2025 inauguration dress at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History on Friday, affectionately describing it as a "masterpiece" that "exhibits the essence of America's originality ... and limitless creativity."

This isn't a dress," she stated. "It represents over 50 years of learning, expertise, and insight, embodied in every thread, every seam, and every precise detail.

With that, she turned her gaze to Hervé Pierre, the French-American designer responsible for the dress, and smiled.

He was seated in the first row, among approximately 100 guests who had been invited to observe the dress's installation.

According to her, Hervé Pierre's advanced understanding of high fashion design has established him as a bold, independent innovator.

Pierre, who has created clothing for three other First Ladies—Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, and Michelle Obama—smiled proudly.

During Friday morning's presentation, Trump became the first "non-consecutive" first lady to contribute an inaugural dress.

The only other president of the nation to be elected for non-consecutive terms, Grover Cleveland, remained a bachelor during his first term. He wed Frances Folson, despite the 28-year age gap between them, 15 months after taking office.

Trump is also the second first lady in history to have two inaugural ball gowns featured in the Smithsonian's collection; the previous one was Ida McKinley, whose dresses from 1897 and 1901 are part of the collection.

Every first lady embodies the era in which she lived," stated Lonnie G. Bunch III, the Smithsonian's secretary. "In essence, each dress in our collection offers a glimpse into America.

For many years, the First Ladies Collection at the National Museum of American History has grown to be one of its most beloved displays, attracting approximately four million visitors each year.

Besides inaugural gowns, the collection features various other dresses once owned by former first ladies, along with personal items and memorabilia from the White House.

Anthea M. Hartig, the museum's director, stated that the collection highlights the "highly significant, yet unofficial role that the first lady has played in our history, and the various ways that women, sisters, and aunts have influenced the position to make their own contributions to presidential administrations and, of course, their service as first lady to the country."

"The display includes over a dozen dresses, such as those worn by Mary Todd Lincoln, Jacqueline Kennedy, Laura Bush, and Michelle Obama," Hartig stated.

According to tradition, the Smithsonian sends a donation request to the First Lady, asking her to lend her dress for public display. No one has ever refused.

Soon after the inauguration, the Smithsonian's restoration experts start collaborating with the White House to facilitate the donation process, with the museum even creating a mannequin that closely matches the First Lady's body shape.

Trump donated her first inaugural dress—a silk crepe column gown featuring a skirt slit and ruffle details, also created by Pierre—to the museum in October 2017.

At the moment she acknowledged that when her husband was elected president in 2016, "the outfit I would wear to the inaugural ball was the farthest thing from my thoughts."

"This work marks one of the numerous fresh starts in our family's history within Washington," she stated.

The gown given on Friday is a strapless, off-white silk crepe dress featuring black edging, which, as shown in the new film "Melania," Trump was heavily involved in designing with Pierre.

It's not an easy task to create such a complicated garment," she remarked while standing near the dress at a podium. "Every authentic haute couture piece is supported by an exceptional team of pattern makers, seamstresses, and craftsmen who turn a creative concept into something real.

"My group of specialists who created this dress have dedicated themselves to perfecting their craft. I am honored to work with each one of them," she stated.

As she spoke, the first lady, a former model from Slovenia, was dressed in a black jacket and knee-length black boots featuring extremely high heels.

"The precisely crafted black 'Z' on the front of the bodice evokes decades of my early memories, life experiences, and inspirations. And, all these stories are securely embedded within its sharp, sturdy seams - forever," she said about the first dress's design.

The striking contrast of black and white creates an atmosphere full of feeling. The American imagination is expressed in various creative ways, on all kinds of canvases - and frequently offers a clear viewpoint," Trump added. "This dress conveys a unique perspective - a contemporary shape, confident and elegant, and extremely stylish.

"The human experience is reflected in every stitch — the concept of persevering and transcending ordinary circumstances — to achieve the pinnacle — America's fate. It's evidence of why America's fashion industry can set the pace for the rest of the world," she added.

Trump then focused on another significant aspect of her attire on the inauguration night last year, a diamond pin created by Harry Winston — "one of America's most influential jewelers" — in 1955.

"Mr. Winston's attention-grabbing historical article was provided to me, especially for the inauguration. The simple black neck accessory complemented the bright floral diamond cluster, matching my entire style," she stated.

Later, the first lady changed direction, appearing to want to convey a broader message to young women.

"We should feel proud not only about the minor acts of self-care, but also about the brave act of expressing ourselves — how we present ourselves to others," Trump stated.

The skill of self-presentation can be developed throughout one's life, but even a young girl who focuses on her inner well-being each morning, heads to school with a more assured stride and a calm look—confident in her right to be part of the world," she remarked, continuing, "This spark brings long-term benefits and remains with her for a lifetime."

At the conclusion of the event on Friday, the gown was taken upstairs to the display area, accompanied by a copy of the diamond brooch she wore, fastened to a black ribbon as a choker.

"I am proud to have our artistic perspective showcased here once more, within the confines of this organization, permanently," Trump stated as the dress was put into its permanent exhibition case.

Dan can be contacted atdan@and @DanMcCue

The post Melania Trump Donates 2025 Inauguration Dress to the Smithsonian appeared first on The Well News | Practical, Leadership, Budget-Conscious, News and Commentary.

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