First Lady Melania Trump Champions U.S. Fashion Leadership

Key Points

• First Lady Melania Trump donated her 2025 inaugural ball gown to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. The dress is now part of the First Ladies Collection, a tradition that has been running since 1912.
• The gown is a strapless, off-white silk dress with black trim, designed by Hervé Pierre. It was displayed alongside a 1955 diamond brooch. The First Lady highlighted the dress as a symbol of American creativity and the hard work of the artisans who made it.
• This event is historically significant because Mrs. Trump is the first First Lady to serve non-consecutive terms and donate two different inaugural gowns. The only other person to have two gowns in the collection was Ida McKinley over 120 years ago.
• The public can view the gown starting immediately at the museum in Washington, D.C. The museum is open every day from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and admission is free for all visitors.

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