Michelle Obama's fashion designer refuses to dress Melania Trump
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Photo credit: Mailonline |
A fashion designer who dressed first lady Michelle Obama said Thursday that she refuses to dress the incoming first lady Melania Trump because of the “rhetoric of racism, sexism, and xenophobia unleashed by her husband’s presidential campaign.”
For
years, First Lady Michelle Obama and Democrats' vanquished presidential
candidate Hillary Clinton have been favorites with fashion designers
who dressed them in clothes aimed at evoking their values.
But
New York-based French designer Sophie Theallet has gone a step further,
throwing down the gauntlet by refusing to dress future first lady
Melania Trump because of the political views of her husband,
President-elect Donald Trump.
Theallet is urging other designers to follow her lead.
"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," she wrote in an open
letter published Thursday.

"The
rhetoric of racism, sexism and xenophobia unleashed by her husband's
presidential campaign are incompatible with the shared values we live
by."
"I am well aware it is not wise to get involved in politics," Theallet added.
"That said, as a family-owned company, our bottom line is not just about money."
The letter has prompted a flood of reaction on social media, much of it negative.
Theallet, 52, who has worked in the United States for more than fifteen years, is a regular fixture at New York's fashion week.
Her
feminine designs have appealed to Michelle Obama, who provided welcome
publicity by donning several of her dresses since 2009.
"She
has contributed to having our name recognized and respected worldwide,"
Theallet wrote of the current first lady, indicating purpose behind
Obama's fashion choices.
"Her values, actions and grace have always resonated deeply within me."
AFP
AFP
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