Melania Trump dons Valentino to welcome Queen Letizia for tea -- but there may be a message behind her outfit
On Tuesday, President Trump and first lady Melania slipped into their sharpest host attire to welcome Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia to the White House. The president and King Felipe met in the Oval Office, while Melania and Queen Letizia gathered in the red room for tea.
While Letizia opted for a pink ensemble by American designer Michael Kors, Melania donned an embroidered green and light beige dress from Valentino along with matching olive heels by her go-to Manolo Blahnik.
In the midst of all that's happening at the United States border, Melania recently spoke out in regards to the controversial immigration policies, asserting she "hates to see children separated from their families." As such, many were quick to criticize the administration's hosting of such a lighthearted occasion during such a tumultuous time.
Seems like a quaint, old-timer complaint when her husband is putting children in cages but it would be nice if the @FLOTUS occasionally wore and promoted American designers, not to mention affordable designs. @MELANIATRUMP
— Emily Laird Dresser (@mrsemilydresser) June 19, 2018
But who are you wearing?
"I opted for an olive green Valentino dress with an ombré effect and matching Manolo Blahnik heels for this visit. Thanks for asking." --Melania
[not an actual quote]
Tone deaf much? pic.twitter.com/IXMm4eH2Jw— Cait Featherstone (@cvfeatherstone) June 20, 2018
However, others noticed a possible "protest message" in Melania's getup. Mason Valentino, the designer behind her dress, has regularly referred to the chaotic political climate in describing the inspiration for his collections.
Wrote Bethan Holt on FLOTUS' dress, "This was not protest fashion in the sense of slogan t-shirts, but the same elegant, refined clothes for which Valentino is renowned designed through the lens of calling out contemporary social issues."
And while Melania could have easily chosen the dress and the designer based on the botanical print, FLOTUS has made headlines before with her unusual style choices in response to her husband's controversial administration -- mainly the pussy bow, which she wore during one of the debates after Trump discussed "grabbing women..." in leaked footage.
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