Adam Lippes designed the ensemble, while the matching hat was from fellow American designer Eric Javits
Melania Trump, the wife of incoming U.S. President Donald Trump, was sporting an original look as she arrived at Inauguration Day ceremonies in Washington, D.C., on Monday.
In a statement, Lippes said: “The tradition of the presidential inauguration embodies the beauty of American democracy and today we had the honor to dress our first lady, Mrs. Melania Trump. Mrs. Trump’s outfit was created by some of America’s finest craftsmen and I take great pride in showing such work to the world.”
The ensemble was a far cry from the outfit she wore to her husband’s previous inauguration, in 2017. That was a powder-blue cashmere dress from Ralph Lauren, not unlike something Britain’s Kate Middleton might choose to wear.
Women’s Wear remarked on a dearth of hats on first ladies in recent Inauguration Day ceremonies, pointing out that the last one of note was worn by Hillary Clinton in 1993 — a navy number to match her coat on the day. Though none are likely to unseat Jackie Kennedy’s iconic pillbox from 1961.
Social media users were less than kind, with remarks that the outfit — and especially the hat — reminded people of McDonalds’ Hamburglar, Michael Jackson from his video for Smooth Criminal, the cartoon character Carmen Sandiago, and even Mad Magazine’s Spy vs. Spy character.
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