Melania Trump wears Roksanda to address the Republican convention, proving it's not just speech tips she's taking from Michelle Obama
There was bemused uproar this morning as it emerged that the speech given by Donald Trump"s wife Melania on the opening day of the Republican convention was in parts plagiarised from a speech given by current First Lady Michelle Obama in 2008.
Designed to give a more personal insight into "The Donald" and his family, Melania"s speech touched on classic Obamathemes of ambition, determination and respect for others, all uttered in often near identical form to an address FLOTUS delivered to the Democrat convention where her husband was officially selected as Presidential candidate.That Melania delivered said speech at the equivalent event whilst wearing a cream "Margot" dress by London-based designer Roksanda Ilincic only underlines the fact that she"s been taking lessons from Michelle"s playbook, because Ilincic also happens to be one of Obama"s favourite designers.
Obamahas worn Ilincic"s designs- renowned for their elegant yet bold silhouettes- on numerous occasions during her time at the White House.Avivid purple dress with draped neckline has served for everything from a talk at Georgetown university to visiting Westminster Abbey during a stay in London.In March 2015,the First Lady opted for a pattern-splashed, nipped waist design called the "Lansdale" arriving on a visit to Cambodia.Fascinatingly, this is the second time this week that Michelle Obama has been credited for inspiring the fashion choices of another woman in the limelight.When Samantha Cameron departed Downing Street for the final time last Wednesday, it was in a near identical Roksandadress to Obama"s Lansdale dress.Roksanda is having quite a moment.
A spokesman for Melania confirmed to WWD that she purchased the $2,190 dress herself via Net-a-Porter andnow it"s already sold-out.The "Margot" is one of Roksanda"s most successful and long-running designs which has garnered an eclectic group of fans over the years.Coleen Rooney wore the fuchsia version to Aintree in 2012mwhile gamine actress Ginnifer Goodwin and businesswoman Helena Morrisey were also spotted in the design.Now that Melania has joined the Margot club, it can surely be declared the mostdemocratic design of our time?From Liverpool to Trump"s wardrobe,it"s quite the trajectory.
The Michelle comparison is unavoidable in light of the speech"s Obamaisms (see below), but there is a genuinepersonal reason why Melania might have chosen to wearsomething by Roksanda for her biggest moment yet on the campaign trail;Ilincic and Trump both hail from the former Yugoslavia.Melania was born in the townof Sevnica which is now part of Slovenia,while Ilincic was born in Belgrade,the capital of Serbia.Both women left their home countries,with Ilincic establishing her nowdecade-old and highly successfulfashion business in London and Trump heading to the US for a career as a model andbusinesswoman.
Whatever you think of Trump"s politics and the prospect of him entering the White House come November, it seems his five-language speaking wife (who his camp is claiming will be a 21st century answer to Jackie O)has already honed an idiosyncratictake ondiplomatic style, using a dress to tell her own story, if not a speech.
Melania Trump:Best looksAt a glance | Melania Trump???s speech compared to Michelle Obama???s