Melania Trump Returns to the White House for a Second Term: A Look at Her Fashion, Projects, and Challenges
Melania Trump has officially returned to the White House with her husband, Donald Trump, as they begin their second term in office. After a day filled with celebrations and political events, the couple settled back into their former residence on a Monday. The media went wild, focusing a lot on Melania’s fashion choices and how she presents herself to the world.
Over the years, Melania has become well-known for her unique sense of style. Fashion lovers and the public alike have paid close attention to her outfits, which often spark huge conversations.
This year, her Inauguration Day attire stood out, but one accessory—a hat—had many people scratching their heads in confusion. It’s interesting to note that before the inauguration, several designers had turned down the chance to work with Melania, citing different reasons for their decision.
As First Lady of the United States, Melania has worked with many designers. Recently, she’s teamed up with Hervé Pierre Braillard, a New York-based designer who used to be the creative director at Carolina Herrera.
Despite his talent, Braillard has faced criticism for his connection to Melania, a sign of how polarizing it can be to work with the Trumps. In an honest interview, he spoke about the struggles of designing for Melania and dealing with the backlash.
On the Monday they moved back into the White House, Donald and Melania resumed their residence after months of planning and preparation. Since their win in November, they’ve been busy preparing for the next four years—hiring new staff and setting goals for their second term.
Although much of the process remained a secret, the Inauguration Day event gave people a peek into the complex work involved in moving from one administration to the next. It marked the end of Joe and Jill Biden’s time in the White House and the return of Donald and Melania Trump, with lots of planning to make sure everything went smoothly.
A Documentary Focused on Melania Trump’s Life
Before moving back into the White House, Melania gave an interview with Fox & Friends about her latest project: a documentary film all about her life. In early 2025, Amazon announced that the film had begun production in January, with a planned theatrical release in late 2025. According to sources from Puck News, the deal for the documentary is estimated to be worth around $40 million.
During the interview, Melania expressed her excitement about the project, sharing, “I had the idea to create a film that captures my life—a life that is incredibly busy and full of responsibilities. People often don’t realize the range of duties I have, and this documentary will provide an inside look at my day-to-day activities.”
Melania continued, talking about the filming process and how they started in November. The documentary covers everything from the efforts of her transition team to how the family moved back into the White House. Reflecting on her second time going through this process, she said, “This time, I already had a plan. I packed in advance, selected the furniture, and ensured that everything was ready for the move.”
Melania Trump’s Fashion Choices: A Source of Fascination and Debate
One of the things people love to talk about when it comes to Melania is her fashion. During her first term, she made headlines for many different outfits, including a controversial jacket that read, “I REALLY DON’T CARE, DO U?” while visiting a migrant housing facility in Texas. Although that outfit was criticized, many other times her wardrobe has been praised for its elegance and class.
However, being First Lady hasn’t always made it easy for Melania to work with top designers. Before the inauguration, some famous designers, like Michael Kors and Rachel Scott from Diotima, wouldn’t comment on whether they’d collaborate with her. During Donald Trump’s first term, designers like Tom Ford and Marc Jacobs refused to dress Melania for personal and political reasons.
Hervé Pierre Braillard, one of the few designers who has consistently worked with Melania, spoke about the challenges he’s faced because of his work with her. He recalled an experience where he was told he was “not welcome” while shopping in a designer store in New York City.
Despite these challenges, Braillard mentioned that some European designers view dressing Melania as a great opportunity for publicity and business.
The Challenges of Dressing the First Lady
In a 2017 interview with The New York Times, Braillard talked about how Melania often prefers to wear ready-to-wear clothes instead of having custom-designed outfits made just for her. He shared that she often picks pieces from her own wardrobe or chooses outfits from American designers for her high-end looks.
When finding clothing for Melania, Braillard makes sure to select pieces that haven’t been seen on the red carpet recently to avoid comparisons.
Even though there have been challenges, Melania’s Inauguration Day outfit still captured a lot of attention, especially her hat, which was designed by Eric Javits. Javits said that dressing Melania was one of the greatest honors of his career.
The hat, which partially covered Melania’s eyes, added to her striking look, and it became the centerpiece of many conversations about the day’s fashion.
Elegance at the Inaugural Ball: A Symbolic Touch
For the Inaugural Ball, Melania changed into a beautiful gown designed by Hervé Pierre Braillard. The strapless, off-white silk crepe dress featured two black gazar bands and was paired with a stunning choker from Harry Winston.
People on social media quickly pointed out the symbolism in her outfit, especially the jewelry, which they thought represented the American Dream.
Harry Winston, the jeweler behind the choker, was the son of Ukrainian immigrants who achieved success in the United States. Some people suggested that the inclusion of the choker in Melania’s outfit symbolized her own journey as an immigrant from Slovenia who became an influential figure in America.
Melania Trump’s fashion choices and public image continue to be a topic of discussion, whether it’s about her stunning wardrobe or her role as First Lady. From her documentary to her carefully chosen outfits, Melania remains a figure of interest to many around the world. What are your thoughts on her Inauguration Day look? Share your thoughts below!
