First lady's style immortalized in American history

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(The Center Square) – As tourists are expected to flock to the nation’s capital for spring break and America’s 250th birthday, there is a new attraction at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History – First Lady Melania Trump’s inaugural gown is on display.

The first lady made history Friday when she donated her Hervè Pierre-designed dress to the Smithsonian. The strapless, off-white crepe, floor-length gown is trimmed with two bands of black silk gazar in a zig-zag formation. Her ensemble was completed with a matching simple black choker, adorned with a floral diamond reproduction of a 1955 Harry Winston brooch.

While most first ladies find themselves thrust into fashion through their husband’s presidency, Melania Trump, a fashion model, brought her own passion for fashion and design to the White House. While Pierre designed her gown, she collaborated to bring the design to life.

During her remarks at the presentation ceremony, Trump briefly described her love for the process and the complexity involved in creating the garment.

“Personally, I relish the entire design process, from start to finish. It takes time, it’s slow, but the end result is always magical,” said the first lady. “It is no easy feat to construct such a complex garment. Behind every true couture piece stands a superior team of patternmakers, seamstresses, and artisans who transform a creative idea into reality.”

Trump argues that the dress's design reflects the American spirit, while crediting the country’s fashion as a potential leader in the industry.

“This black and white masterpiece showcases America’s pure spirit of originality, superior engineering, and boundless creativity. It’s a testament as to why America’s fashion industry can lead the rest of the world,” said the first lady. 

Trump is only the second first lady to have both inaugural gowns from the 2017 and 2025 inaugurations displayed at the Washington, D.C., museum as part of a popular exhibit on first ladies.

She joins Ida McKinley, the wife of former President William McKinley, from the inaugurations of 1897 and 1901.

Traditionally, the Smithsonian only collects inaugural gowns of first ladies worn during their husband’s first inauguration, but since President Donald Trump didn’t serve two consecutive terms, they broke the tradition for the first lady.

The tradition of displaying first ladies’ inaugural gowns began with Helen Taft in 1909, the wife of former President William Taft. Trump’s second gown marks 26 dresses on display in the First Ladies exhibit. The exhibit was established in 1912 and includes artifacts from first ladies dating back to America’s first First Lady, Martha Washington.

The Smithsonian Institution comprises 21 museums with a current federal appropriation of over $1 billion, providing 62% of its funding, allowing patrons to visit without paying admission.