Ralph Lauren Is Facing Backlash For Dressing Melania Trump

melania-trump-ralph-lauren

by Danielle Fowler |
Published on

The rumours turned out to be true.

For the presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, wife and new First Lady Melania Trump, turned up to the prestigious event in a powder blue cowl neck dress by no other than Ralph Lauren.

While many were quick to admire the outfit, which drew comparisons with Jackie Kennedy, some Twitter users started using the hashtag #BoycottRalphLauren, apparently accusing the designer of supporting the oppression of women.

Melania’s spokesperson told WWD: "With the historic swearing-in of her husband, Donald J. Trump, as the forty-fifth President of the United States, the First Lady–elect will become America’s new First Lady wearing an American designer who transformed American fashion, Ralph Lauren".

A few designers refused to dress Melania for the inauguration in retaliation to her husband’s political motives.

Sophie Theallet for example, penned an open letter to fellow designers which stated: “The Sophie Theallet brand stands against all discrimination and prejudice. Our runway shows, ad campaigns, and celebrity dressing have always been a celebration of diversity and a reflection of the world we live in.”

She continued: “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. I encourage my fellow designers to do the same.”

Tom Ford also refused to dress the new First Lady after stating in an interview, ‘she's not necessarily my image’. To which Trump hit back by telling Fox, "I'm not a fan of Tom Ford, never have been” before assuring the news channel that Melania ‘doesn’t like’ Ford or his designs either.

Ralph Lauren has previously dressed First Ladies including Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton.

Watch Melania Trump's style transformation from model to First Lady below.

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