Why is it challenging to pick out clothes for Melania Trump, according to her stylist?

Melania Trump is widely known for her simple and classy fashion style, often choosing to wear clothing from European fashion brands such as Christian Dior, Valentino, and Dolce & Gabbana.

Working closely with Hervé Pierre Braillard, the former creative director of Carolina Herrera, Melania creates her sophisticated looks. However, many of her outfits are not custom-made.

Pierre revealed to The New York Times in 2017 that much of what Melania wears is straight off the rack. 

On occasions where she wears clothing from American designers, Melania will either select pieces from her own collection of vintage items from luxury fashion brands or have Pierre acquire them for her.

Pierre, who previously worked for Oscar de la Renta, Vera Wang, and Christian Dior, will go shopping without saying who he’s pulling pieces for. 

‘I go to Bergdorf, I go to Saks. Michael Kors, Dior,’ the designer, who also worked at Balmain, revealed. ‘What is challenging is when I cannot say what it is for.’ 

Instead, Pierre has to ask if it was recently worn on the red carpet, because he doesn’t want the 54-year-old to end up on a ‘Who Wore It Better List.’ 

‘I don’t really do that for the good reason that the fashion industry is not very welcoming [of Trump.] That’s no secret,’ Pierre told WWD in November 2024. 

Pierre told Women’s Wear Daily that 95 percent of what he buys for her is purchased at freestanding stores, as opposed to at the designer’s showrooms.

He revealed that once when he was shopping in a designer’s store on Madison Avenue in Manhattan, he was told that he ‘was not welcome here.’ 

However, he would not disclose the shop’s name because he did not want to give them ‘free publicity.’ 

‘Some are very open-minded and would be able to do something special. But a lot of people are not,’ the celebrity stylist continued. 

Pierre explained that when he asked an American brand to make a dress or brand for Melania, he was told they couldn’t do that, even if it was simply making an ensemble in a different color.  

The French-born stylist, who’s based in New York City, ended up designing the gown she wore to the 2017 inaugural balls, as well as the gown she wore in 2025.  

As fashion fans waited patiently to find out which designer Melania would opt for after many of the major designers shunned her during her husband’s first presidency, she chose her stylist, instead.

Pierre crafted an elegant strapless white silk crepe gown with two black bands across the chest. 

Melania paired the gown with a diamond brooch created by Harry Winston in 1955 worn as a choker and white Manolo Blahnik pointy-toed pumps.

In a statement, Pierre said: ‘It is a big honor to have collaborated with the first lady on the design for her inaugural dress.’ 

Pierre has been paid handsomely for his styling services.  

In 2023, government filings revealed that the pro-Trump Save America PAC paid Pierre more than $200,000 for his services.

The PAC made the payments in monthly $18,000 increments, labeling them as ‘strategy consulting.’ 

During the swearing in ceremony, Melania made sure to choose American designers. 

The First Lady wore a navy wool coat from Adam Lippes paired with an oversized hat from Eric Javits to attend the inaugural parade inside the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

Adam lives between New York City and the Berkshires while Eric is based in Miami and both crafted custom pieces her inauguration fashion statement.

Many designers must deal with getting pushback from their clients both in person and on social media.  

Adam shared a statement about the coat on Instagram, writing, ‘The tradition of the presidential inauguration embodies the beauty of American democracy and today we had the honor to dress our first lady, Mrs. Melania Trump.’ 

The Buffalo, New York-born fashion designer continued: ‘Mrs. Trump’s outfit was created by some of America’s finest craftsmen and I take great pride in showing such work to the world.’ 

Pierre commented, ‘A master pièce Adam… it is SO chic… and the making… everything is FLAWLESS CONGRATULATIONS.’ 

Many praised the look, calling it ‘pure class’ and ‘breathtaking’ although some took issue with the American designer dressing her. 

‘I wonder how much your soul cost,’ one commenter wrote. 

Another hit back, ‘I don’t know who those naysayers are, but they lack character and taste.’