Tom Ford reveals why he won’t be dressing Melania Trump

By CHARLIE TEATHER for the Evening Standard.

There has been a lot of talk amongst fashion designersrecently about who will and who won’t be dressing Melania Trump, but unfortunately for the future First Lady of the United States the majority of those speaking out have revealed that they won’t.

Sophie Theallet – one of Michelle Obama’s favourite designers – was the first designer to come out publicly saying that she won’t be dressing Melania in an open letter which she posted to twitter.

Within the letter, Theallet wrote: “As an immigrant myself in this country, I have been blessed with the opportunity to persue my dreams in the USA. Dressing the First Lady Michelle Obama for the past 8 years has been a highlight and an honor. She has contributed to having our name recognised and respected worldwide.”

“As one who celebrates and strives for diversity, individual freedom and respect for all lifestyles, I will not participate in dressing or associating in any way with the next First Lady.”

Speaking during an interview on The View, the designer was asked about dressing Melania.

“Let me ask you something. We have a new First Lady, Melania Trump, and she’s quite beautiful and she’s thin”, said one of the show’s hosts. “She’s gonna look great in the clothes, no?”

“Um, I don’t know”, Ford responded. “I was asked to dress her quite a few years ago and I declined. She’s not necessarily my image. And also – other than the fact that I’m a Democrat and voted for Hillary and am very sad and disappointed that she’s not in office – other than that, even if Hillary had won she shouldn’t be wearing my clothes, they’re too expensive.”

“I don’t mean that in a bad way and they’re not artificially expensive, it’s how much it costs to make these things. But I think to relate to everybody you shouldn’t necessarily [wear such expensive clothes].”

The host then went on to point out that Ford has previously dressed Michelle Obama.

“Michelle, I dressed once when she was going to Buckingham Palace for dinner with the Queen”, Ford justified. “I thought that was appropriate, I live in London and so that made sense. It was an honour to dress her.”