At the US presidential inaugural, fashion was at its best as Melania Trump shone in a strapless white gow
All eyes were on the United States presidential inaugural on Monday, not just the political pundits but also fashion brigade. The FLOTUS (First Lady of the United States) aced her sartorial game, while the Second Lady won hearts.
The sartorial gala was enhanced by the President Donald Trump, who called his Vice President JD Vance ‘a great senator and a very, very smart one’, going ahead to compliment his spouse, Usha Vance, ‘The only one smarter is his wife. I would have chosen her but somehow the line of succession didn’t work that way, right,’ Trump looked at his second-in-command, who duly nodded in agreement!
Melania in navy blue
On a cold January morning, the first couple walked in matching ensembles in navy blue. On her second outing as the First lady of the United States, Melania Trump wore not just patriotic colours—navy blue with a hint of white—but both the designers putting together her sharp look were Americans. New York-based Adam Lippes designed her custom double-breasted navy silk wool coat and pencil skirt with an ivory silk crepe blouse. The matching hat was designed by another New Yorker, Eric Javits. Melania styled it with navy pumps. The Slovenia-born former model, FLOTUS has faced flak for her love for European designers. She ensured to get it right this time around, even if it meant her fancy boater style topper was to be redone at the last minute!
Second in command
The Second Lady of the US, Usha Vance, turned heads in an Oscar de la Renta ensemble. A peony cashmere coat, she styled it with scarf wrap and a complementing dress. She kept it all warm on the cold January day with blush-toned suede boots by Manolo Blahnik Lina. She also wore statement floral earrings.
Ball of a time
The matching outfits weren’t limited to the oath-taking though. The Commander-In-Chief Ball, at the 60th Presidential Inauguration, saw the ‘firsts’ choosing classics black and white. Melania opted for strapless white, floor-length gown. She paired it with white heels and a standout black choker. The dress is reportedly designed her long-time favourite Hervé Pierre!
Indian-origin Usha Vance picked up a delicate, shimmery blue, floor-length gown, complementing the look with a statement ring, diamond ear-studs and midnight blue pumps.
India shining
Usha Vance gave a nod to her Indian heritage by choosing a stunning strapless purplish gown by Indian designer Gaurav Gupta. Usha, with roots in Andhra Pradesh, was born in San Diego, and met her future husband JD Vance while at Yale Law School. The couple has three children together. She opted for the Gaurav Gupta gown for the candlelight dinner hosted by Trump at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.
Gupta, a red carpet favourite, has dressed global celebs like Beyoncé, Kylie Minogue, Cardi B and Priyanka Chopra. Usha is not just being lauded for sartorial choices, but also her salt and pepper hair, which she flaunts with grace. Amongst those who stood out with their fashion game were Jill Biden. In the blues and black, she stood out with a pop of colour—teaming her purple Ralph Lauren wrap coat with a matching dress underneath. She went monochrome, accessorising her look with purple suede high heels and matching gloves.
Ivanka Trump shone in emerald green, a pencil skirt and blazer top, which she paired with a green hat and matching purse.