Why Indian designers believe Melania Trump needs a makeover

US First Lady, Melania Trump’s personal style (or the lack of it) has been in the eye of the storm ever since husband, US President Donald Trump celebrated his Inauguration Day. The former model has very stylish shoes to fill (those of the much-loved Michelle Obama, who often favoured the likes of Jason Wu, Bibhu Mohapatra and Prabal Gurung and wasn’t averse to rocking Versace’s chain-mail gowns). The Slovenian model has shown a penchant for power blow-dry, towering stilettos and colour blocking but she still needs to develop a distinct handwriting. Who can forget her crystal embellished wedding gown which was a whopping $140,000 John Galliano for Christian Dior Couture? However, her much-criticised and debated campaign outfits saw her embracing modesty. Of late, she has bid adieu to her signature furs, thigh-split dresses and va-va voom sartorial picks of the past. 

Her black off-the-shoulder Roland Mouret dress was deemed too revealing and she took the reaction to the outfit in her stride. She opted for a $1,100 Pre-fall 2016 fuchsia pink pussy bow Gucci blouse for the presidential debate and an off-white Roksanda Ilincic ‘Margot’ dress for the Republican National Convention. For her second speech in Pennsylvania, she wore a $889 dusky rose silk blouse by Emilia Wickstead, with a white high waisted pencil skirt.

In the aftermath of Donald’s ‘tape-gate’ scandal, she smartly covered up in a demure black pussy-bow wide leg Ralph Lauren jumpsuit.

Most style arbiters feel that she lacks a personality and dresses like just any couture junkie. When we asked designer Nimish Shah of Shift if he would want to dress her, his answer was a firm no and he describes her sartorial picks as too ‘catalogue-y’. “She has no character. She’s a model and you can’t do much with her, as she’ll fit into anything. When Victoria Beckham started her fashion career, she also lacked character, but there’s been a consistent evolution in her stylistic journey. One can sense a dedication to it and she’s making it her own. Melania wears couture and she’s like any other rich lady,” he said.

Huemn designer Pranav Kirti Misra seconds that. “More than a style makeover, she needs more of an individual style which brings out her own personality. Whatever she’s worn so far hasn’t been original. When you are the First Lady, there has to be some originality,” he says.

A sense of righteousness 

Designer Arpita Mehta feels that as the First Lady of America, one most be bold but warm, should have a sense of righteousness but yet be approachable. “Hence I’ve designed a lavender knee-length off-shoulder dress for her with a subtle ruffle at the hem. The high neck off-shoulder and the ruffles keep the look bold-yet-elegant, with a matching pair of high stilettos. I have teamed it with naked emerald earrings and a  bracelet to make it statement-making and unique. Since she has a very sharp face and strong features, I have given her a soft updo and very clean radiant make-up with a slim liner (she should not do smoky eyes on such important political day events). The reason why I chose lavender is that Melania has a lovely tanned skin tone and while it’s a fresh colour, it also gives out a warm soothing feeling to everyone, which at this point is very important as the First Lady of the USA,” says she.

Conservative and feminine 

Designer Surily Goel recommends, “The look is conservative, feminine and classic at the same time. I have given her a pair of high-waist pants since she has a great body and it complements her height. The organza tail coat adds style and movement. The cropped jacket with lace accent softens her a bit and the coin detailing at the hem adds to the movement.”

Let’s not underestimate her

Designer Anupamaa Dayal cautions that we can never underestimate her, and who knows she may loosen up in future. “I have given her something free spirited, resort and fluid. 
She can obviously carry off anything,” she says.  

Needs to loosen up

Designer Aniket Satam opines that FLOTUS can strategically use her wardrobe to create a softer image which is more approachable than merely mimicking successful design choices of the first ladies of the past. He says, “I would love to dress her in a bright and bold shocking pink silk Taffeta dress with on trend off shoulder neckline detail, which makes the look formally appropriate yet with a relaxed chicness. She definitely needs to loosen a bit and have fun with her wardrobe and add vivid bold palette of colours, patterns and print, which would project a fun and vibrant personality contrasting the ice cold persona of her husband.”

manish.mishra@dnaindia.net