,type=downsize)
First Lady Melania Trump was a vision in white and black at the Commander-in-Chief Ball on Monday. President Donald Trump and his wife arrived at their first inaugural ball of the evening hand-in-hand before sharing a dance on stage. The first lady stunned in a strapless gown, which complemented her husband's tux. According to the New York Times' Vanessa Friedman, Melania's dress was designed by Herve Pierre. Like earlier in the day, Melania accessorized her ensemble with a statement piece, this time opting for a choker necklace.
The first lady, 54, made a statement with her daytime outfit on Jan. 20, teaming her navy double breasted coat by American fashion designer Adam Lippes with an Eric Javits boater hat. In a statement shared on Instagram, Eric said, "It was my great honor and privilege to create the hat our First Lady, Melania Trump wore for the inaugural swearing in of our 47th President! She has the inner grace, beauty and presence to transform what was really a very simple, restrained hat style into what became a 'wow' moment. The First Lady’s hat was made with love."
At the inaugural balls eight years ago, Melania bared her shoulders in a stunning off-the-shoulder number. The vanilla silk crepe gown in 2017 was also designed by Hervé Pierre in collaboration with the first lady. WWD reported at the time that it reflected her "vision of fashion and the way she feels in a gown."
Melania donated the couture piece to the National Museum of American History's First Ladies Collection exhibition in 2017. While presenting her gown to the museum, the first lady admitted (via the New York Post), "It can be a daunting task to choose an outfit that will be mesmerized and become part of our nation’s story and forever history."
The president's wife also confessed that what she "would wear to the inaugural ball was the last thing" on her mind. "In fact, by the time I got around to thinking about my wardrobe choice poor Hervé was only given two weeks to design and produce this couture piece," Melania said. "We had never worked together before, but I knew of his stellar reputation and wanted to work with someone who would do more than just design a dress. I wanted someone who would be willing to collaborate with me and Hervé exceeded my expectations."
In addition to the Commander-in-Chief Ball, the president and first lady are set to attend the Liberty Ball and the Starlight Ball on Monday evening.