Following a revealing initial outfit, Melania Trump continued to push fashion boundaries on the second, and final, day of her state visit to Britain with a series of distinctive ‘skins’.
During her morning engagement at Windsor Castle’s Royal Library with Queen Camilla, the First Lady was seen in a chic caramel-toned Louis Vuitton leather skirt suit. Later, for a leisurely walk through Frogmore Gardens with Catherine, Princess of Wales, she opted for a chocolate suede Ralph Lauren safari jacket paired with elegant beige Loro Piana trousers. This choice of attire hinted at preparedness for navigating not just garden paths, but potentially the intricate landscape of international diplomacy.
Much like her off-the-shoulder gown worn at the state banquet, which, though not explicitly forbidden, subtly defied royal dress norms by showcasing her clavicle, these leather and suede ensembles appeared deceptively conventional. Yet, their underlying connotations evoked themes of power dynamics and a distinct assertion of presence.
To put it differently: this sartorial statement was a far cry from the ‘respectable Republican cloth coat’ famously championed by Richard Nixon for his wife in 1952. Nor did it echo the more traditional hunter green pussy-bow blouse and coordinating blazer paired with a brown midi-skirt that Princess Catherine chose for their garden excursion.
These outfits align perfectly with Mrs. Trump’s established personal style, which often incorporates military-inspired elements and safari jackets, reflecting her unconventional approach to her public duties and her sometimes-sporadic presence at the White House.
Her fashion choices paralleled Mr. Trump’s own strategic wardrobe shift: from the dark suit and regal purple tie worn with King Charles, he transitioned to his recognizable ‘America First’ ensemble of a bright blue suit, red tie, and white shirt for his engagements with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Much like his penchant for diverging from prepared remarks, these clothing selections each subtly conveyed a distinct message.
Ultimately, while Mrs. Trump’s Ralph Lauren jacket provided a symbolic American closing to her trip, mirroring the British Burberry trench she wore upon arrival, the true fashion beneficiary of the state visit’s wardrobe choices was a different entity altogether.
That beneficiary was none other than LVMH, the powerhouse French luxury conglomerate.
LVMH’s portfolio includes Dior, responsible for Mrs. Trump’s day one suit, as well as Louis Vuitton and Loro Piana. Furthermore, Tiffany, the creator of the brooch gifted to Queen Camilla, is also an LVMH brand. The conglomerate itself is owned by Bernard Arnault, a prominent figure who, along with his daughter Delphine, the Dior chief executive, attended Mr. Trump’s most recent inauguration.
Bernard Arnault, the man behind LVMH, is currently ranked among the world’s wealthiest individuals – a different, yet equally influential, form of royalty.