So much for a boycott! Designers at war to dress Melania Trump for inauguration after liberal dressmakers insisted fashion pack would desert new First Lady

  • Designers are coming out to say that they would love to dress the First Lady-to-be for the inauguration
  • Zac Posen, B Michael America, Tommy Hilfiger, and Calvin Klein all interested
  • Comes after some big names in fashion denounced dressing Mrs Trump
  • Tom Ford and Marc Jacobs are among those who said they'll never work with her

As the debate goes on about who will dress Melania during the next four years in the White House, it looks like her options are growing. 

Although designers like Tom Ford and Marc Jacobs have said they don't want her wearing their designs, other designers are chomping at the bit for the opportunity to dress the First Lady-to-be.

It is customary of the First Lady to wear an American designer during her time in Washington, and especially during the inaugural weekend, and designers like Zac Posen, B Michael America, and Tommy Hilfiger are all interested.

As the debate goes on about who will dress Melania during the next four years in the White House, it looks like her options are growing

Jean Shafiroff, a New York socialite and philanthropist who is friendly with the Trump family, saw them at the New Year's Eve Mar-a-lago fest, and told theNew York Post that interest is growing with American and foreign designers. 

She polled the couture council of the museum at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology to see who wants to dress Melania for her first weekend in the White House, and for the next four years.

Shafiroff told the post that Zac Posen, B Michael America, Victor de Souza and Zang Toi are all very interested. 

B Michael America (left) and a model in one of his designs (right): The Harlem-based designer B Michael told Shafiroff 'he'd be honored' to work with the soon-to-be first ladyZ

Designer Zang Toi (left) and a model in one of his designs (right): He is another who has said that he would be interested in dressing the First Lady during her time in Washington 

Zac Posen walking on the runway with one of his models (left) and a model in one of his designs (right): American designer Zac Posen is very interested in dressing Melania

Diane Von Fursten Burg (left) and a model in one of her designs (right): Other designers, including Diane Von Furstenburg, pictured left, have said Mrs Trump should receive the the same treatment as any other First Lady

The Harlem-based designer B Michael told Shafiroff 'he'd be honored' to work with the soon-to-be first lady.

He said: 'Any designer who dresses her will get enormous press.'

Other designers, including Diane Von Furstenburg, have said Mrs Trump should receive the the same treatment as any other First Lady. 

Tommy Hilfiger said 'any designer should be proud' to dress Melania Trump after another designer ruled out ever working with the incoming First Lady on political grounds. 

It is customary of the First Lady to wear an American designer during her time in Washington, and especially during the inaugural weekend, and designers like Zac Posen, B Michael America, and Tommy Hilfiger are all interested

Tommy Hilfiger (left) and a model in one of his designs (right): He said 'any designer should be proud' to dress Melania Trump after another designer ruled out ever working with the incoming First Lady on political grounds

Calvin Klein (left), and a model in one of his designs (right): Klein said to Women's Wear Daily 'Of course I would' when asked if he would be interested in dressing Melania Trump

Melania is known to be a fan of Dolce and Gabbana and Gucci, and was spotted wearing those designers while her husband was on the campaign trail. 

One of the heads of Dolce and Gabbana, Stefano Gabbana has very publicly thrown his support behind Melania Trump, reported DailyMail.com.

The world renowned designer, who has a huge influence in the world of fashion, posted a photo four days ago of Melania wearing a $3,000 wool sheath with jewel-encrusted bows from the fashion house.

One of the heads of Dolce and Gabbana, Stefano Gabbana has very publicly thrown his support behind Melania Trump

Gabanna, who has a huge influence in the world of fashion, posted a photo four days ago of Melania wearing a $3,000 wool sheath with jewel-encrusted bows from the fashion house

Put a bow on it in Melania's Dolce & Gabbana dress

The Trump family celebrated New Years with an epic bash at Donald's Mar-A-Lago estate with a guest list that included Sylvester Stallone and Fabio.

Of course all eyes were on the future first lady who arrived with her husband in a dashing dress by Dolce & Gabbana.

The midi length stunner had straps that were adorned with bejeweled bows and a front split that was sexy yet still conservative.

We can't get enough of the simple, straightforward design of this figure flattering LBD. Click right to buy it at Nordstrom if you're ready to splash some serious cash.

But if the nearly $3000 price tag is beyond your budget, substitute this style with something more affordable from the edit below. This skater dress by Ted Baker certainly takes the cake.

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Victor de Souza (left) and models wearing two of his designs (right): He is another who the New York Post reported is interested in dressing Melania for the inauguration and for the next four years in Washington

The photo was captioned: 'I love Melania. She's beautiful.'

However, all of this is coming after some of the other big names in fashion have publicly denounced dressing the soon-to-be First Lady. 

Sophie Theallet, who frequently dresses Michelle Obama, has vowed not to dress Melania when she becomes First Lady and urged other designers to follow her example, DailyMail.com reported.

Speaking on behalf of her brand, the designer tweeted a damning open letter in which she said they 'will not participate in dressing or associating in any way with the next First Lady'. 

However, all of this is coming after some of the other big names in fashion have publicly denounced dressing the soon-to-be First Lady

Sophie Theallet, who frequently dresses Michelle Obama, has vowed not to dress Melania Trump when she becomes First Lady and urged other designers to follow her example. 

This was a big stance for Theallet, which has previously dressed Mrs Trump, before her husband became so heavily involved in politics.

Tom Ford has also announced that he has no plans to work with the incoming First Lady when he was interviewed on The View.

He said: 'Well, she's not necessarily my image.'

Ford, 55, then told Behar and the other hosts that he would also not be dressing Melania while she was in the White House, saying his clothes are 'too expensive' for a first lady to wear because they have to 'relate to everybody.'

His designer wears were not 'too expensive' for the current first lady though, who Ford outfitted in a custom-made ivory evening gown back in 2011 for a dinner with the royal family at Buckingham Palace. Ford even threw in a pair of gloves to round out the look.

 The New York Times also reported that the relationship between Washington and the fashion industry is already changing. They cited the example of Election Night, saying that Melania wore a white jumpsuit that was found on the rack, instead of being designed for her specifically

Some fashion magazines have also said they will be scaling back coverage of the first lady as a way to protest the president-elect's policies 

The New York Times also reported that the relationship between Washington and the fashion industry is already changing.  

They cited the example of Election Night, saying that Melania wore a white jumpsuit that was found on the rack, instead of being designed for her specifically.

WHAT DESIGNERS HAVE SAID ABOUT DRESSING THE FIRST LADY

Steffano Gabbana posted an Instagram of the First-Lady-to-be after she wore one of his fashions on New Year's Eve with a caption that said : 'Melania Trump #DGwoman thank you #madeinitaly.'

Tommy Hilfiger told Women's Wear Daily: 'I think Melania is a very beautiful woman and I think any designer should be proud to dress her. 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.'

Calvin Klein to WWD: 'Of course I would.'

Diane von Furstenberg told WWD : 'Donald Trump was elected and he will be our president. Melania deserves the respect of any first lady before her. Our role as part of the fashion industry is to promote beauty, inclusiveness, diversity. We should each be the best we can be and influence by our example.' 

Marcus Wainwright, Rag & Bone told the New York Times : 'It would be hypocritical to say no to dressing a Trump. If we say we are about inclusivity and making American manufacturing great again, then we have to put that before personal political beliefs.' 

Vera Wang to WWD: 'We have not been contacted by the Trump campaign or administration thus far. But the first lady-elect should support American fashion, as did her predecessors.' 

Marc Jacobs to WWD: 'I have no interest whatsoever in dressing Melania Trump. I didn't see [Sophie Theallet's] letter. Personally, I'd rather put my energy into helping out those who will be hurt by [Donald] Trump and his supporters.' 

Sophie Theallet on Twitter: '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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