Melania Trump Donates Second Inaugural Gown to the Smithsonian
The first lady is the first to have two gowns on display because of her husband’s two non-consecutive terms.
In a first lady first, Melania Trump on Friday presented the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History with her 2025 inaugural gown to join the The First Ladies collection that also displays her 2017 gown.
Mrs. Trump spoke for just under seven minutes about the gown and what it means, describing it as not simply a garment, but as symbolic self-expression. In particular, she notes the importance of detail and describes how “the meticulously formed black shape ‘Z’ on the front bodice summons decades of my early memories, life experiences, and influences.”
About the garment she said “this is not a dress,” and described it as “more than 50 years of education, experience, and wisdom realized with each thread, each stitch, each sharp edge … And, all of these stories are tucked deep within its crisp, strong seams—forever.”
The strapless white and black trimmed gown was designed by Herve Pierre, her longtime fashion designer and stylist who attended the event. Also donated was the black neckpiece adorned with a reproduction of the Harry Winston diamond brooch that she wore to three inaugural balls on January 20, 2025.
“The beautiful contrast between black and white sets a mood rich with emotion. American imagination appears in different creative forms, across all types of canvases—and often serves up a clear perspective,” she said. “This dress speaks with a distinct point of view—a modern silhouette, bold and dignified, and ruthlessly chic.”
Fashion design is another form of creative expression, Mrs. Trump said in her remarks. She added that she loves the entire design process from start to finish, which she noted takes time but the end result “is always magical” before mentioning how viewers of her new film “Melania” are well aware of what it took to bring this technical marvel to life.”
This is the second inaugural gown that Mrs. Trump has donated to the museum. She previously donated the cream colored, off-shoulder gown with red trim around the waist that she wore in 2017, also designed by Pierre. Both gowns were on display during the presentation. The museum typically collects first ladies’ inaugural gowns from their husbands’ first inaugurations. Mrs. Trump’s second gown was collected because Mr. Trump was elected in nonconsecutive terms.
The Smithsonian’s Secretary, Lonnie G. Bunch III, spoke to the historic nature of the donation.
“I am extremely excited because Mrs. Trump’s second inaugural gown will join this collection, and I don’t want to understate how important it is that this is really a milestone in its own right,” Bunch said.
For decades, the Smithsonian’s First Ladies Collection has been one of its most popular attractions and has undergone many iterations. In November 2011, the museum opened “The First Ladies,” featuring more than two dozen gowns from the Smithsonian’s 100-year-old First Ladies Collection, including those worn by Dolley Madison, Mary Lincoln, Frances Cleveland, Lou Hoover, Jacqueline Kennedy, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, Melania Trump and Jill Biden.
As the program wrapped up, the mannequin displaying the dress was carefully loaded onto a dolley cart, gently wheeled to an elevator and taken upstairs to be installed in “The First Ladies” exhibition. Asked how it felt to see the gown on display, Mrs. Trump said, “It’s incredible. It’s a historic moment.”
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