The Fashion Boycott Against the Trump Women
Tom Ford. Marc Jacobs. Derek Lam. Christian Siriano. Naeem Khan. These are just a few of the designers who have pledged that they will not dress the new First Lady, Melania Trump. French designer, Sophie Theallet, was the first designer to refuse, making a statement just weeks after the election.
“As one who celebrates and strives for diversity, individual freedom, and respect for all lifestyles, I will not participate in dressing or associate myself in any way with the next First Lady,” said Theallet. “The rhetoric of racism, sexism, and xenophobia unleashed by her husband’s presidential campaign are incompatible with the shared values we live by.”
With the massive amount of controversy associated with the Trump presidency, enhanced by the power of social media, it’s understandable why designers would have problems – both moral and business-related – with their name being associated with anyone in the Trump family. But for all the arguments citing feminism, individual freedom and inclusivity, why is Melania Trump an exception?
The fashion industry has long used their craft to express their ideas, opinions, criticisms, and hopes for the future, and in such a turbulent time as this, it is expected that artists and people of all backgrounds, interests, and political ideologies share their thoughts. But while designers like Theallet are entitled to their opinions and who they want to dress, it is ironic that such strong stances would entail excluding a woman based on the actions of a man.
It’s not just designers who are boycotting the Trumps. After Ralph Lauren provided Melania’s baby blue ensemble at the inauguration, anti-Trump groups on social media called for a boycott of the designer. And the exclusion doesn’t end with Melania. Throughout the presidential campaign, shoppers boycotted Ivanka Trump’s fashion and accessories line, with social media personalities taking pride in blatantly denying her business.
Yes, President Trump has expressed rather controversial sentiments that are considered to go against feminism, diversity and inclusivity, but that’s just it. He made those comments, not Melania or Ivanka.
Since when does feminism mean punishing a woman for her choice in husband? Since when does feminism mean boycotting a successful woman's business because of the words or actions of her father, the man she supports and advises because he encourages her success and because she cares about the fate of her country? And since when does feminism mean that every woman has to have the same opinion, that she can’t think for herself?
Despite Melania and Ivanka’s political beliefs, it is unfair for designers and the public to ostracize them for their association with a man they deeply care for. Designers can choose who they want to dress, and customers can choose which brands they want to buy, but boycotting these women based on their relationships is blatant hypocrisy. Besides, do we want Donald to run the show completely without the influence of women like Ivanka and Melania?
Of course, Melania and Ivanka come from an extremely privileged class of women, so they will have no problem finding suitable fashions for events and meetings. In fact, several designers, including Tommy Hilfiger, Diane von Furstenberg, and Dolce & Gabbana have welcomed the idea of dressing the First Lady.
“Donald Trump was elected and he will be our president. Melania deserves the respect of any first lady before her,” said Diane von Furstenburg. “Our role as part of the fashion industry is to promote beauty, inclusiveness, diversity. We should each be the best we can be and influence by our example.”
As for the next four years, we’ll all have to wait and see how things play out. But despite the intentions and actions of President Trump, one thing is certain: As a citizen and a woman, I will most definitely respect and judge the Trump women based on their decisions, alone, not the decisions of another individual.
