First Lady Melania Trump will participate in a unique American tradition by donating her 2025 inaugural ballgown for display in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History’s First Ladies Gallery. On Wednesday, it was announced that the black-and-white gown worn by the First Lady at President Trump’s inaugural ball would join the historic collection.
The gown was created by fashion designer Herve Pierre and was also featured in Mrs. Trump’s recent documentary film “Melania.” The addition of the gown marks the unique distinction of a second inaugural gown worn by a first lady to be added to the Smithsonian display.
The gown will join the one worn by Mrs. Trump at President Trump’s first inaugural ball in 2017. Her 2017 ballgown, also designed by Herve Pierre, featured a sleek off-the-shoulder design with a slit skirt, constructed from vanilla silk crepe.
The First Ladies display at the Smithsonian was the first to focus on the unique role played by presidential spouses. It includes two dozen gowns worn by first ladies from Frances Cleveland to Michelle Obama.
When her 2017 gown was added to the Smithsonian display, Mrs. Trump reflected on the significance of the voice, describing it as a daunting task to select a gown that would “become a part of our nation’s story and forever history.” Museum Director John Gray echoed Mrs. Trump’s reverence for the tradition, noting that the first inaugural ball gown donated was from First Lady Helen Taft, more than 100 years earlier.
Mrs. Trump is expected to deliver remarks at the Smithsonian on Friday to commemorate the addition of her iconic gown.