Designer Sophie Theallet, who has dressed Michelle Obama on multiple occasions over the past eight years, wants no part in the next first lady’s fashion choices.
For a number of years, fashion designers have sought out First Ladies to model their clothing during public appearances due to the high volume of sales that usually follows. This is definitely not the case for French designer Sophie Theallet, who has vowed not to dress Melania Trump.
Theallet wrote in an open letter posted to Twitter on Thursday afternoon, “As one who celebrates and strives for diversity, individual freedom, and respect for all lifestyles, I will not participate in dressing or associating in any way with the next first lady. The rhetoric of racism, sexism and xenophobia unleashed by her husband’s presidential campaign are incompatible with the shared values we live by.”
Open letter | Sophie Theallet | November 17th, 2016 pic.twitter.com/g1hIAyBmdF
— sophie theallet (@sophietheallet) November 17, 2016
She acknowledged in her letter that it was a bold move to get involved in politics, but decided to make this statement anyway – even encouraging her fellow designers to do the same.
“I am well aware it is not wise to get involved with politics,” she stated. “That said, as a family-owned company, our bottom line is not just about the money. We value our artistic freedom and always humbly seek to contribute to a more humane, conscious and ethical way to create in this world.”
A number of leading fashion companies such as Marc Jacobs and Calvin Klein endorsed Hillary Clinton in the months leading up to the election, and are now keeping silent about their support for the future first family. While those who decide not to interact with the Trumps may lose out on a wide range of business opportunities, they can still dedicate themselves to those who never supported him in the first place.
The future First Lady definitely has the means to wear whatever brand of clothing she wants, but the question will be whether or not liberal-leaning designers are willing to overlook political differences to dress the very high-profile Melania Trump.
Although it is Theallet’s First Amendment right to say how she feels about the Trumps and deny service to Melania, it is extremely childish of her to act this way over differing opinions, especially since Melania wasn’t the one running for president. But, I can say I am not surprised in the least. Over the next few months, I’m sure we will see many prominent names and figures protesting the next first family, and those who choose to support the family no matter their political views are the people you should actually buy from.
