Melania Trump to be immortalized in Smithsonian’s First Ladies Collection

First lady Melania Trump presented her 2025 inaugural gown to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History on Friday — the first first lady to have two inaugural gowns exhibited in the museum.

“This is not a dress. This is more than 50 years of education, experience and wisdom realized with each thread, each stitch, each sharp edge,” she said.

She thanked Herve Pierre — who has designed fashions for four first ladies — and Harry Winston for their collaboration and inspiration to create the black-and-white strapless gown and diamond neckpiece.

“The beautiful contrast between black and white sets a mood rich with emotion. American imagination appears in different creative forms, across all types of canvases — and often serves up a clear perspective,” said Mrs. Trump, a former fashion model. “This dress speaks with a distinct point of view — a modern silhouette, bold and dignified, and ruthlessly chic.”

She applauded her team of patternmakers, seamstresses and artisans who transformed a “creative idea into reality.”  

Mrs. Trump said that the human condition is captured within every stitch, showcasing “America’s pure spirit of originality, superior engineering and boundless creativity.” 

“It’s a statement as to why America’s fashion industry can lead the rest of the world,” she added.

Mrs. Trump recently released a documentary, “Melania,” which heavily featured the strapless white dress with its black “Z” shape on the front bodice.

Her gown will be immortalized in the museum’s First Ladies Collection.

She previously gifted the museum the off-shoulder dress that she wore in 2017. 

“The art of presenting oneself can be cultivated over a lifetime, yet even the young girl who takes care of herself from the inside out with precision every morning, leaves for school with a more confident step, and a steady gaze — confident to claim her place in the world,” she said. “This spark pays dividends and stays with her for a lifetime.”