Melania Trump’s Stylist Herve Pierre Criticizes American Designers for Refusing to Dress Her
Donald Trump and his wife Melania attended the state funeral held in Washington, D.C., for former President Jimmy Carter. (Photo by Ricky Carioti – Pool/Getty Images)
With the 60th Inauguration approaching, Melania Trump’s stylist, Herve Pierre, has criticized American designers who have refused to dress the incoming First Lady, highlighting the political tensions that permeate the fashion world.
In an interview with WWD, Pierre revealed instances where he faced hostility while sourcing outfits for Melania. “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,” he shared, recounting an episode at a New York boutique.
Before Donald Trump’s first inauguration in 2017, prominent American designers like Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, and Phillip Lim publicly declined to dress Melania, citing political differences. Pierre noted that this sentiment has persisted, with some American fashion houses remaining reluctant to collaborate with the former model.
Pierre explained that the reluctance of American designers has pushed him toward European labels, which he says are “more open-minded.” According to him, “The Europeans see dressing Mrs. Trump, due to the press coverage that she is getting, as a business opportunity to generate sales and free publicity.”
Addressing criticism for not using more American labels in Melania’s wardrobe, Pierre clarified that the lack of collaboration isn’t for lack of trying. “They say, ‘Oh, she doesn’t dress in American brands.’ But you have to not forget that some American brands are not very welcoming toward her,” he said.
Pierre also noted that custom designs for Melania are rare, given the resistance within the fashion industry. “The few times I asked an American brand to customize attire for her, I was told, ‘Unfortunately, we can’t do that.’ It wasn’t even anything special—maybe it was in a different color,” he explained.
Despite the challenges, Pierre has remained committed to curating impeccable looks for Melania, often sourcing from freestanding stores rather than designer showrooms.
As Melania returns to the spotlight after four quieter years, her fashion choices continue to captivate. Recently, she garnered attention at former President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral, wearing a Valentino dress from the brand’s 2019 couture collection—a look that sparked speculation about a deeper meaning.
Pierre’s candid remarks shed light on the intersection of fashion and politics, underscoring the complexities of dressing one of the world’s most scrutinized public figures.
