THE fashion designer behind White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s wardrobe has revealed secret messages he hides in her suits.
Christopher Cuozzo designs custom outfits for Leavitt, 27, to wear in the White House briefing room.
Cuozzo, a menswear designer who just recently started in womenswear, has made several suits for Leavitt and her 60-year-old husband, Nicholas Riccio.
The Boston-based business owner said he met Leavitt right after Thanksgiving, just weeks after President Donald Trump won the 2024 election.
Leavitt was selected for the role of press secretary, becoming the youngest person to ever hold the position. Aware of the requirements for her new job, she understood the importance of having the appropriate attire.
Cuozzo mentioned that despite the hectic pace of White House life, Leavitt and Riccio approached him with warmth as they discussed the design details for their custom clothing pieces.
“I did quite a few suits, actually, some for him, some for her,” Cuozzo told Business Insider.
“They were the nicest, nicest people. Then, when the suits were ready, I shipped them down to DC for them.
“They absolutely loved them, and both of them have been ordering more ever since.”
Cuozzo said the process is a creative one, as Leavitt sends him requests and ideas that he responds to with pictures and sketches.
Leavitt is “not afraid of color,” which Cuozzo said inspired him to dream big with emerald green and bright red suits.
But color isn’t the only detail that Cuozzo takes into account: he said the custom suits sometimes include hidden messages at Leavitt’s request.
“Typically, a suit or really any garment takes about four to six weeks,” he explained.
“Now, there’s all these things that go into it that could add a longer time.
They specialize in creating custom linings by printing images on silk, which are then incorporated into the suits, adding approximately two weeks to the production process.
Cuzzo revealed Leavitt included a patriotic secret lining on one of her custom-made suits.
Get to know Karoline Leavitt
Donald Trump’s press secretary is the youngest White House press secretary ever at 27.
Here are some fast facts about Karoline Leavitt:
- She was raised Catholic in Atkinson, New Hampshire
- She attended Saint Anselm College
- She started her college’s first broadcasting club
- She interned at Fox News during college
- She worked as the assistant press secretary under Kayleigh McEnany
- She won the Republican primary for the US House of Representatives in New Hampshire in 2022
- She’s married to 59-year-old entrepreneur Nicholas Riccio
- She gave birth to her first son, Niko, in July 2024
- She went back to work for Trump days after giving birth
- She had her mic cut off in a CNN interview in June 2024 after criticizing presidential debate moderators Dana Bash and Jake Tapper
“I’m going off memory here, but I’m pretty confident we did an American flag lining in one of her suits,” he said.
He added that because the linings aren’t visible in the briefings, “I’ve got to get her to flash that jacket open.”
Cuzzo continued to say Leavitt is classy, but focused on serious-looking suits as she briefs reporters from all over the world on Trump’s day-to-day business.
“Classic reigns supreme, so you don’t want anything trendy,” Cuozzo said.
“I don’t envision her wanting to do some very loud plaid suit that’s a bunch of different colors.”
Cuozzo’s suits start at $1,495 but cost more depending on the fabric, but he wouldn’t reveal how much Leavitt’s suits have cost.
