How Melania Trump threw out the First Lady fashion rulebook to champion a VERY different style to previous wives in the White House

Melania Trump is set to return to the White House in January, but she has already asserted herself as the First Lady of fashion.

With her love of stilettos, sequins, and European designer labels, the 54-year-old Slovenia-born wife of Donald Trump has set herself apart from her predecessors.

It's a sign that she's waved goodbye to the FLOTUS sartorial rulebook that other wives of presidents, including Michelle Obama and Jill Biden, dutifully abided.

Instead of conservative ball gowns, simple ensembles, and tailored suits, the mother-of-one has ushered in a new era where modern fashion takes precedence.

Melania has revealed her blasé attitude to heading the change, as demonstrated through her controversial ''I REALLY DON'T CARE, DO U?' jacket from Zara that she wore to visit children separated from their families at the Mexico border in 2018.

Talking exclusively to Femail, stylist Lisa Talbot explained that the former model is unafraid of departing from the traditional and refuses to compromise her style because of her new role.

Lisa said: 'Melania Trump has a unique style that she is not afraid to show off and which took a departure from the traditional. She is authentically true to her style personality and has not compromised because she will be returning to the White House.

'Her approach to fashion was bold, unapologetic, and at times even controversial -  qualities that made her style memorable and sparked widespread discussion.'

The stylist continued: 'Her wardrobe choices frequently showcase her taste for high-fashion and European designers, steering away from the more conservative American labels traditionally associated with First Ladies.'

Indeed, Melania has favoured luxury labels, including one of Kate Middleton's top designers, Alexander McQueen, as well as French labels Dior and Hermes.

However, in 2006, one of America's most talented designers, Tom Ford, famously took a stand against designing garments for Melania.

Talking on The View in November of that year ahead of the release of his film Nocturnal Animals, Ford answered questions on the mother-of-one.

'We've got a new first lady, Melania Trump, and she's quite beautiful, and she's thin, she's going to look great in [your] clothes, no?' host Joy Behar asked Ford.

A hesitant-looking Ford paused before responding to the question, saying: 'I don't know. I was asked to dress her quite a few years ago and I declined.'

He then explained his reason for passing on the offer: 'Well, she's not necessarily my image.'

The designer then told Behar and the other hosts that he would also not be dressing Melania while she was in the White House, saying his clothes are 'too expensive' for a first lady to wear because they have to 'relate to everybody.'

Speculation mounted as the designer's clothes were not 'too expensive' for Michelle Obama, who Ford outfitted in a custom-made ivory evening gown back in 2011 for a dinner with the royal family at Buckingham Palace.

The price of the dress was never given since it was one-of-a-kind, but Ford's gowns tend to cost thousands, with many of his evening looks being priced in the five-figure range.

'Michelle, I dressed once when she was going to Buckingham Palace for dinner with the Queen,' said Ford when asked to comment on some of Michelle's more expensive looks.

Melania didn't let the ordeal come in the way of her love of high fashion and has continued to don clothing from other luxury brands.

However, she maintains a selective approach, choosing silhouettes, shades, and cuts most akin to her desired style.

'With striking silhouettes, vibrant colours, and structured tailoring, she conveyed a powerful, independent woman,' Lisa continued.

She added: 'For example, her selection of statement coats, military-inspired jackets, and dramatic evening gowns all point to a fashion-forward aesthetic, prioritizing glamour and presence over subtlety.'

'In contrast to previous First Ladies who used style to reflect relatability, Melania's choices often exuded exclusivity, and she rarely sought to blend in with the crowds.' 

Perhaps Melania's most controversial sartorial statement was in 2016 when she wore a jacket with the slogan 'I really don't care, do u' as she flew to visit children separated from their families at the Mexico border. 

Trump used X after his wife was pilloried for the $39 (£30) statement jacket from Zara, which she wore on her way to McAllen, Texas, where she said 'good luck' to children taken from their parents.

He contradicted his wife's spokeswoman's claim that it was 'just a jacket' to launch the attack on the media.

The first lady's surprise visit to a children's shelter - where a handful of the 55 children it houses had been taken from their parents - was intended to underline her compassion for children.

Instead, it was overshadowed by the former model's choice of jacket, which she wore as she walked to the Oval Office to see her husband.

At about the same time, Trump tweeted: ''I REALLY DON'T CARE, DO YOU?' written on the back of Melania's jacket, referring to the Fake News Media. Melania has learned how dishonest they are, and she truly no longer cares.'

A Republican close to the White House told CNN that communications staff attended an urgent meeting after she wore the jacket, and this is when the explanation that the item of clothing was aimed at the 'fake news media' was devised.

After defending the jacket, the president continued to write on X: 'We have to maintain strong borders or we will no longer have a country that we can be proud of – and if we show any weakness, millions of people will journey into our country.'

'You cannot pass legislation on immigration whether it be for safety and security or any other reason including "heart," without getting Dem votes,' he added. 'Problem is, they don't care about security and R's do. Zero Dems voted to support the Goodlatte Bill. They won't vote for anything!'

When asked about Melania's controversial choice of outerwear, her spokesperson, Stephanie Grisham, did not deny that the first lady was wearing the coat. However, she insisted there was 'no hidden meaning behind the jacket'.

Since then, Melania has continued to defy expectations with her clothing choices, and during her 2019 state visit to the UK, she sported a wardrobe worth $165 thousand (£129,500).

From the moment she stepped aboard Air Force One en route to London, wearing a $4,400 (£2,650) Gucci City Print Shirt Dress, it was clear the First Lady was determined to make a good impression.

There was certainly no expense spared, with one outfit worn on a visit to the Churchill War Rooms totalling an eye-watering $72,100 (£56,750), largely thanks to a rare Hermes Birkin bag. Her entire week's wardrobe cost $165,000 (£130,000).

Melania's love of designer labels came through once again as she joined the stage at West Palm Beach earlier this month in a custom Dior suit.

Instead of shopping in her closet – as she did at July's Republican National Convention by recycling a red Dior skirt suit – this was a debut for pieces from the designer's latest fall collection.

The neat grey wool was a perceptive choice, highlighting a refashioned 'new look' for a new reign – with a nod to Trump-friendly themes of opulence and history.

The double-breasted jacket with its flap pockets accentuated not only the careful proportions of the former, and now future, First Lady's waist but also the finely tuned tailoring.

This creation, hand-crafted in France, cost approximately $5,000 (£3,900). And amid a sea of American flags, dark suits and glamour wear, Melania stood out.

'She set her own rules, embodying a luxury-driven and sometimes provocative style that will add a unique chapter to the history of White House fashion,' Lisa concluded.