The news of Donald Trump becoming president-elect rocked the worlds of Americans and sent marginalized groups into a flurry of panic. Many trusted media outlets projected that Hillary Clinton would undoubtedly win. Trump becoming President was something so foreign, so obscure, that many could not fathom what was happening. On January 20, 2017, Donald Trump will be inaugurated as our 49th President. And it won't just be minority groups who will be affected — there will be repercussions for the fashion industry due to Trump's harsh policies regarding LGBTQ rights, women's reproductive rights and immigration, among many other issues alienate much of the fashion community.
So what does the fashion community have to say about the Melania Trump?
Fashionista has stated that they will have "no part in normalizing the Trump family, particularly when it comes to cataloging the First Lady's fashion choices."
Sophie Theallat was the first C.F.D.A member to articulate her refusal to dress Melania Trump if asked:
"As one who celebrates and strives for diversity, individual freedom and respect for all lifestyles. I will not participate in dressing or associate myself in any way with the next First Lady. The rhetoric of racism, sexism and xenophobia unleashed by her husband's presidential campaign are incompatible with the shared values we live by."
According to Marc Jacobs, he has "no interest whatsoever in dressing Melania Trump," and that "personally, I'd rather put my energy into helping out those who will be hurt by [Donald] Trump and his supporters."
Not all designers, however, have expressed disinterest in dressing Melania Trump.
Some are in favor of dressing her, including:
Tom Ford, who says: "Out of respect for the position of the first lady of our United States, I would be honored to be considered to design for any first lady of the United States."
Tommy Hilfiger agrees: Yes, I would dress Melania. I think she is a beautiful woman who would make any designer’s clothes look great.
Most of the others, however, hold an ambiguous position, such as:
Vera Wang stated that "We have not been contacted by the Trump campaign or administration thus far. But the first lady-elect should support American fashion, as did her predecessors."
And in a very politician-like, triple-negative fashion, Joseph Altuzzarra declared, "I don't want to not dress people I disagree with."
Regardless of what is to come and how fashion will react, there is one thing we can all do.
As summed up by Diane von Furstenberg so eloquently:
"How can we help in the eve of this new era? We must believe in ourselves and in our work. We must believe in the values of tolerance and inclusiveness that are the fabric of our country. We must believe we can make a difference and use our influence by creating beauty, optimism and happiness. More than ever, we must embrace diversity, be open minded, be generous and have compassion."
