Despite looking catatonic, First Lady Melania Trump took some strategic first steps in her new role by wearing a gown by emerging French-American designer Hervé Pierre for her appearance at the official inauguration receptions.
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From some angles the white six-ply vanilla crepe dress with gazar details, off-the-shoulder neckline and red silk faille ribbon at waist resembled Yum Cha overcooked by an apprentice chef. However, it fitted her perfectly, so perfect in fact all she could do was gently sway to the rendition of Frank Sinatra's My Way for the couple's first dance as POTUS and FLOTUS at the Liberty Ball.
By selecting an ensemble created by a relatively unknown designer, Mrs Trump has already achieved more in public office than her husband, just hours after taking over from Michelle Obama. Someone who also took the opportunity to showcase a lesser known label in Jason Wu when she wore his gown to her first inaugural ball eight years ago.
However, Mrs Trump, who is considered a reluctant First Lady, also used her official debut to show off her creativity, with her office confirming she co-designed the historic dress that will eventually be housed at the Smithsonian Museum.
This is Pierre's first time basking in the spotlight solo. He spent several years working for Balmain, Oscar de la Renta, and more recently, Carolina Herrera. He left the house after 14 years last February to pursue his own line.
"It's an honour to dress the First Lady," he said. "I was actually lucky because over my 20 years in the US, I dressed all the first ladies: Mrs Clinton at Oscar [de la Renta], Mrs Bush and Mrs Obama at Carolina Herrera. So I feel lucky and honoured to dress Melania Trump, but this time under my name."
Her step-daughter, Ivanka Trump, wore a one-of-a-kind embroidered deep v-neck tulle gown by American design house Carolina Herrera, while the President's youngest daughter, Tiffany Trump, the Frances 'Baby' Houseman of the family, was dressed by a Beverly Hills-based designer Simin Taghdiri.
Tiffany wore a gown off the rack which took two days to alter as the designer wasn't given enough time to create something brand new for her.
