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Celebrities At Oscar De La Renta Fall/Winter 2003 Collection© GettyImages

Melania Trump’s Pre-White House era: a look back at her 90s and Y2K styles

Proof that the former First Lady has always had a great fashion sense.


Andrea Pérez
Director/Deputy Editor Miami
JULY 13, 2023 6:46 PM EDT

It’s Throwback Thursday, a great time to go back in time! Today let’s indulge in old photographs that captured Melania Trump’s glamorous life and fashion at a time she probably never imagined she would end up in the White House. Before becoming a First Lady, Melania exuded an undeniable fashion sense that propelled her to the forefront of the New York City high society scene.

These snapshots from the 90s and early 2000s offer a rare glimpse into a time when Y2K fashion reigned supreme and Melania, with her stunning looks and innate style, effortlessly stole the spotlight.

See photos of her attending New York City parties alongside celebrities and socialites and prepare to be mesmerized by the proof that Melania Trump has always been a true fashion icon, even before her life took an unexpected turn and landed her a role in American history.

27th Annual Fifi Awards© GettyImages

Melania Knauss at the Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall in New York City, New York in 1999.

Celebrities Attend Baldwin Cancer Benefit© GettyImages

Melania posing with Donald Trump and Alec Baldwin at the Baldwin Cancer Benefit October 8, 1999 in New York City.

Trump & Knauss At Marc Jacobs Show© GettyImages

Melania and Donald Trump together before a Marc Jacobs fashion show, New York, New York, 1998.

"The Muse" New York City Premiere Party© GettyImages

Melania Knauss during “The Muse” New York City Premiere Party at Le Cirque Restaurant in New York City, New York (1999).

Preview of 37th Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue - February 22, 2000© GettyImages

Melania at the Preview of 37th Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City (2000)

Donald Trump and Melania Knauss during "Bowfinger" New York Premiere at Ziegfeld Theater in New York City, New York© GettyImages

Melania with Donal Trump during “Bowfinger” New York Premiere at Ziegfeld Theater in New York City (1999)

Melania Knauss (Concord Model At The Launch Of Concords' New Advertising Campa© GettyImages

Melania at the NY Launch of Concords’ New Advertising Campaign (1999)

'Charlie's Angels' premiere© GettyImages

Melania at the ‘Charlie’s Angels’ premiere at the Ziegfeld Theater, New York City (2000).

Blow Dry Screening© GettyImages

Blow Dry Screening

Melania is posing with actress/model Heidi Klum at Miramax Films‘ ’Blow Dry‘ screening after-party, at the Warren-Tricomi Salon in New York City (2001)

Melania Knauss at the Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York© GettyImages

Melania at the 2000 VH1 Vogue Fashion Awards - Arrivals red carpet in Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.

Maximum Golf© GettyImages

Melania Trump in New York City ‘Maximum Golf’ magazine launch party at the Loeb Boathouse in Central Park in the year 2000.

"The Score" New York Premiere© GettyImages

Melania at the Premiere for “The Score” at the Sony Lincoln Square Theatre in New York City. (2001)

Katie Couric, Regis Philbin, wife Joy Philbin, Donald Trump© GettyImages

Melania and Donald Trump pose with Katie Couric, Regis Philbin, wife Joy Philbin at a Tony Bennett celebration for his 75th birthday at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (2001).

Oscars Arrivals© GettyImages

Melania walked the red carpet of the 73rd Annual Academy Awards with Donald Trump - on March 25, 2001 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Donald Trump with Girlfriend© GettyImages

Melania and Trump seen walking along 59th Street after leaving Barneys in NYC - 2001.

Donald Trump and girlfriend Melania Knauss arrive for Coach'© GettyImages

Melania with Donald Trump at the Coach’s annual garden party at the Cooper-Hewitt Museum. (2002)

405584 06: Model Melania Knauss arrives for the "Survivor Marquesas" season finale May 19, 2002 in New York City. (Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images)© GettyImages

Melania at the “Survivor Marquesas” season finale May 19, 2002 in New York City.

Melania Knauss during The G&P Foundation for Cancer Research Salutes The World of Entertainment and Media at the 2003 Angel Ball© GettyImages

Melania during The G&P Foundation for Cancer Research Salutes The World of Entertainment and Media at the 2003 Angel Ball at Marriott Marquis in New York City.

Celebrities At Oscar De La Renta Fall/Winter 2003 Collection© GettyImages

Melania walks to a car as she leaves the Oscar de la Renta Fall/Winter 2003 Collection fashion show at the Theater in Bryant Park during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week February 10, 2003 in New York City.

Patrick McMullan Archives© GettyImages

Melania photographed with Nicole Richie and Nicky Hilton at Kathy and Rick Hilton’s party for Donald Trump and “The Apprentice” on February 28, 2004 in Holmby Hills, California.

Cocktail Party for TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall at the Museum of Modern Art - November 1, 2005© GettyImages

Melania Trump during Cocktail Party for TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall at the Museum of Modern Art - November 1, 2005 at Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Christian Lacroix Spring/Summer 2005 Fashion Show© GettyImages

Melania at the Christian Lacroix Spring/Summer 2005 Fashion Show during Paris Fashion Week on July 7, 2004 in Paris, France.

Model and Donald Trump's fiance, Melania Knauss attends the J Mendel Spring 2005 fashion show during Olympus Fashion Week Spring 2005© GettyImages

Melania at the J Mendel Spring fashion show during Olympus Fashion Week Spring 2005, September 13, 2004 in New York City.

Jean Paul Gaultier Spring/Summer 2005 Fashion Show© GettyImages

Melania with British actress Elizabeth Hurley at the Jean Paul Gaultier Spring/Summer 2005 Fashion Show during Paris Fashion Week on July 8, 2004 in Paris, France.

Richard Johnson's birthday party© GettyImages

Melania with Donald Trump and Heidi Klum at Richard Johnson’s birthday party at Marquee in New York, New York, United States (2004)

Patrick McMullan Archives© GettyImages

Melania joined by Anna Wintour and Michael Kors at the VOGUE and AERIN LAUDER party for MICHAEL KORS at Jean-George in the West Village on June 9, 2005 in New York City.

Patrick McMullan Archives© GettyImages

Melania with Donald Trump, Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party at Morton’s Restaurant on February 27, 2005 in Los Angeles, California.