Dressing a First Lady is a big opportunity – dresses worn to global media events routinely sell out, and the exposure is a major boost for fashion houses in stiff competition with one another.
A presidential inauguration is the holy grail of photo ops – and for Michelle Obama’s inauguration gown designer, Jason Wu, dressing the former First Lady made him a household name overnight.
But, just one day before the event, the atmosphere around who will clothe Melania Trump is beyond toxic.
Hoards of big name designers such as Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs and Sophie Theallet have all made haughty statements proclaiming that they would not get involved.
But in reality this flurry of virtue signalling can only hurt the U.S fashion and production industry.
Cutting themselves off from a leader who is set on creating more jobs, implementing “business friendly” policies and investing in infrastructure – is a fatal error.
Frankly, the dilapidated manufacturing side of the American fashion industry needs a shot in the arm to fend off overseas competition – and that’s what the President-elect’s “America First” agenda could bring to life.
But in their desperation to make anti-Trump statements, this point has been lost.
Fashion industry sources speaking to Heat Street have said they’re excited about Trump’s business policies – but wouldn’t dare say so out loud.
One said: “Any opinion other than condemnation of Trump will lead to social isolation and allegations of bigotry – despite the fact his policies will financially support ‘in house’ or ‘home nation’ production. For U.S factories, it means the opportunity to invest in up to date machinery so they don’t lose out to Europe or Asia.”
Marcus Wainwright – boss of fashion house rag & bone – was one of the few to speak, telling New York Magazine: “It would be hypocritical to say no to dressing a Trump. If we say we are about inclusivity and making American manufacturing great again, then we have to put that before personal political beliefs.”
The markets, CEOs and foreign governments are all beginning to realise, there are reasons to be optimistic about a Trump presidency. So the fashion world needs to wake up too.
Even if American designers don’t personally agree with Trump’s agenda, it’s undeniable that like lower taxes and better infrastructure will be a boost – both in the fashion industry and beyond.
Rather than division and separation from the Trump administration, the U.S fashion establishment should make friends for the sake of their industry, the economy, and the prosperity of ordinary Americans.