Melania Trump remained absent from her husband’s campaign trail, but since his return to the presidency, she has been firmly back in the spotlight.
On Monday afternoon, the White House released her latest official portrait, and she meant business!
The First Lady exuded confidence in a sharp power suit paired with a white shirt underneath, all designed by Dolce & Gabbana, as she posed inside the White House’s Yellow Oval Room.
View this post on Instagram
Melania Trump Exudes Confidence in New Portrait Photo
With both hands resting on the table, the author fixed a commanding gaze into the camera, making a bold statement.
Vanity Fair spoke with the photographer of the striking image to gain insight on the meaning behind the shot: “I feel that her kindness and involvement and her engagement are reflected in this picture,” Régine Mahaux revealed.
Mahaux further added, “[The skies were] gray, and Melania looks good in gray, and everything looks good in gray. The picture didn’t need to be retouched because we wanted to keep the authenticity.”
The photo was released following social media calls to boycott designers who dressed the Trump women, prompting Melania’s stylist to fire back at critics.
Melania Trump's Stylist Fires Back At Designers Who Refused To Dress Her
It's no secret that American designers often refuse to dress the former model. While she once graced the cover of Vogue in February 2005, her time as First Lady saw her largely overlooked by the fashion industry.
As a result, she has favored European designers like Dior and Dolce & Gabbana, while frequently collaborating with Herve Pierre—who designed her iconic inaugural ball gown.
Pierre responded to this in a chat with Women's Wear Daily (WWD), saying, “I understand that you can criticize Mrs. Trump, but to say to someone who is coming to shop full-price—'you are not welcome here'—that is something that I would have never expected.'
Many First Ladies often wear custom clothing, but Melania’s outfits have to come off the rack.
Pierre added, "I don't really do that, but for the good reason that the fashion industry is not very welcoming. That's no secret. Some are very open-minded and would be able to do something special. But a lot of people are not."
