Tommy Hilfiger: Designers ‘Should Be Proud’ To Dress Melania Trump And Shouldn’t Get ‘Political About It’
Tommy Hilfiger spoke out against the fashion boycott of Melania Trump suggested by Sophie Theallet. The famous fashion designer was asked if he would join Theallet in her cause to refuse to dress the future first lady. Hilfiger declined. Tommy is the first well-known designer who publicly agreed to dress Melania.
Theallet revealed last week that she would not dress Melania and urged other fashion designers to follow her lead, according to Women’s Wear Daily. Most designers in the fashion world have been quiet about the proposed boycott. Hilfiger added that it would be great to dress Ivanka, however, she has her own line of clothing to wear.
On November 21, Tommy Hilfiger and his wife, Dee Ocleppo, were among those attending the Angel Ball at the Cipriani Wall Street when he was asked his thoughts on Theallet’s refusal to dress Melania. Hilfiger suggested that designers should not “become political about it” when it comes to fashion and designing clothes, according to Women’s Wear Daily.
“I think Melania is a very beautiful woman and I think any designer should be proud to dress her… Ivanka is equally as beautiful and smart, although she wears her own clothes. I don’t think people should become political about it. Everyone was very happy to dress Michelle [Obama] as well. I think they look great in the clothes. You’re not gonna get much more beautiful than Ivanka or Melania.”
Kim Kardashian skipped the event and boarded a private jet to be at her husband’s side. Rapper Kanye West was hospitalized for sleep deprivation and exhaustion, according to TMZ.
New York designer and boutique owner Angela Guitard is also angry about Theallet’s previous open letter to designers, according to Women’s Wear Daily. Theallet said she did not want to be associated with Trump at all.
“As one who celebrates and strives for diversity, individual freedom and respect for all lifestyles, I will not participate in dressing or associate 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.”
On Monday morning, the owner of Angela’s Boutique sent Theallet an email that called the designer’s open letter “a slap in the face” to herself as a U.S. citizen. Guitard said that she would not carry Theallet’s collection in her store, according to Women’s Wear Daily.
“As an independent store owner unbiased to all, I keep my opinions to myself about politics, especially when it is unwarranted. I am disappointed by your e-mail, and the ignorant said content of it. Clearly, you are now inflicting your impudent political opinions on others and using social media for promotion. It is disrespectful and unprofessional on many fronts.
“The fact that you have rejected our new president and first lady is not only a slap in the face to me as a U.S. citizen, but you have also insulted the true democracy of this country and negated any openness to unite Americans.”
Tommy Hilfiger: Fashion Designers 'Should Be Proud' to Dress Melania Trump https://t.co/2KJ8Cdbqkp pic.twitter.com/SIch2BdIbz
— FoxNewsInsider (@FoxNewsInsider) November 23, 2016
Guitard said the United States had given both herself, Theallet, and many others the opportunity to pursue their dreams.
“Capitalism is the true mantra of this country; ignorance is not… I encourage you, as an immigrant to this country, to cherish the USA, the great country you now live in, and embrace our new reign of power in the White House… It would be anyone’s honor to dress our first lady that this country has chosen.”
Melania Trump actually wears clothing she buys off the rack instead of working directly with a designer. Candidates in the past like Hillary Clinton partnered with Ralph Lauren for several looks during the course of her campaign. Joseph Altuzarra, who has also dressed the current first lady, told the New York Times that designers are assuming that this presidency “will have a different relationship to clothes.”
Tommy Hilfiger’s “It” Girl, Gigi Hadid
Tommy Hilfiger has praised model Gigi Hadid as the embodiment of the “American dream girl next door.” However, Hilfiger’s inspirational model and Melania Trump may be on shaky grounds after Gigi took a dig at Trump on Sunday night.
While co-hosting the 2016 American Music Awards, Gigi used a fake Eastern European accent to impersonate the future FLOTUS, according to Entertainment Online. The outrage of Hadid’s impersonation of the president-elect’s wife caused Hadid to pen a handwritten apology on Monday.
The Maybelline ambassador’s internationally televised dig referred to accusations that Melania plagiarized Michelle Obama’s speech at the Republican National Convention. On social media, some deemed the impersonation to be racist.
Gigi Hadid breaks out brutal Melania Trump impression at the #AMAs https://t.co/JqKisRyMMx pic.twitter.com/eV1yVsbYSv
— HuffPost (@HuffPost) November 21, 2016
“I love my husband, President Barack Obama. And our children Sasha and Malia.”
Gigi Hadid released a statement about her controversial impersonation of Donald Trump’s wife, Melania Trump.
The 21-year-old model addressed the controversy on Twitter, where she apologized “to anyone that I offended,” according to the Daily Mail.
“I was honored to host the AMAs last night and to work with some of the most respected writers in the business… I removed or changed anything in the script that I felt took the joke too far, and whether or not you choose to see it, what remained was done in good humor and with no bad intent.
“I too have been the center of a nationally televised comedy skit that poked fun at my actions and was able to find the humor in it… I believe Melania understands show business and the way shows are written and run. I apologize to anyone that I offended and have only the best wishes for our country.”
[Featured Image by Gary Gershoff/Stringer/Getty Images]
