• Donald Trump and Melania Trump, then known as Melania Knauss, in New York City on September 28, 1998. Getty Images
    Donald Trump and Melania Trump, then known as Melania Knauss, in New York City on September 28, 1998. Getty Images
  • Donald Trump and Melanie Knauss, in a blue sequinned gown, arrive for VH1's Divas Live concert at the Beacon Theatre in New York City on April 13, 1999. Getty Images
    Donald Trump and Melanie Knauss, in a blue sequinned gown, arrive for VH1's Divas Live concert at the Beacon Theatre in New York City on April 13, 1999. Getty Images
  • Donald Trump and Melania Knauss, in a metallic beaded dress, at the Aida opening in New York City on March 23, 2000. Getty Images
    Donald Trump and Melania Knauss, in a metallic beaded dress, at the Aida opening in New York City on March 23, 2000. Getty Images
  • Donald Trump and Melania Knauss, in a black slip dress and coat, arrive for the premiere of 'I Dreamed of Africa' on April 18, 2000 at Sony Theatres Lincoln Square in New York City. Getty Images
    Donald Trump and Melania Knauss, in a black slip dress and coat, arrive for the premiere of 'I Dreamed of Africa' on April 18, 2000 at Sony Theatres Lincoln Square in New York City. Getty Images
  • Donald Trump and Melania Knauss, in a LBD, at the launch of 'Gotham' magazine, at Cipriani in New York City on March 1, 2001. Getty Images
    Donald Trump and Melania Knauss, in a LBD, at the launch of 'Gotham' magazine, at Cipriani in New York City on March 1, 2001. Getty Images
  • Donald Trump and Melania Knauss, in a beaded white gown, arrive for the 73rd annual Academy Awards on March 25, 2001 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Getty Images
    Donald Trump and Melania Knauss, in a beaded white gown, arrive for the 73rd annual Academy Awards on March 25, 2001 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Getty Images
  • Donald Trump and Melania Knauss, in white suiting, arrive for the premiere of 'Moulin Rouge' on April 17, 2001 at the Paris Theatre in New York City. Getty Images
    Donald Trump and Melania Knauss, in white suiting, arrive for the premiere of 'Moulin Rouge' on April 17, 2001 at the Paris Theatre in New York City. Getty Images
  • Donald Trump and Melania Knauss, in pastel separates, at the Oscar de la Renta fashion show during New York Fashion Week on September 15, 2003. EPA
    Donald Trump and Melania Knauss, in pastel separates, at the Oscar de la Renta fashion show during New York Fashion Week on September 15, 2003. EPA
  • Donald Trump and Melania Knauss, in a fur coat, at the opening of the new Asprey flagship store in New York City on December 8, 2003. EPA
    Donald Trump and Melania Knauss, in a fur coat, at the opening of the new Asprey flagship store in New York City on December 8, 2003. EPA
  • Donald Trump and Melania Knauss, in a blazer, attend a game between Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, US, on December 17, 2004. EPA
    Donald Trump and Melania Knauss, in a blazer, attend a game between Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, US, on December 17, 2004. EPA
  • Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in a spaghetti-strapped scarlet dress, attend the International Red Cross Ball on January 29, 2005, in Palm Beach, US. EPA
    Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in a spaghetti-strapped scarlet dress, attend the International Red Cross Ball on January 29, 2005, in Palm Beach, US. EPA
  • Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in a hot-pink halter dress, arrive at the birthday party of Shaquille O'Neal at Hotel Victoria in Miami Beach, US, on March 5, 2005. EPA
    Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in a hot-pink halter dress, arrive at the birthday party of Shaquille O'Neal at Hotel Victoria in Miami Beach, US, on March 5, 2005. EPA
  • Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in a fur coat, attend a reception in honour of Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall at The Museum of Modern Art in New York on November 1, 2005. EPA
    Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in a fur coat, attend a reception in honour of Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall at The Museum of Modern Art in New York on November 1, 2005. EPA
  • Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in a turtleneck knit, attend a New York Knicks game against the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden on November 4, 2005 in New York. EPA
    Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in a turtleneck knit, attend a New York Knicks game against the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden on November 4, 2005 in New York. EPA
  • Donald Trump and Melania Trump, with their son Barron William Trump, watch Andy Roddick play Roger Federer at the US Open in New York on September 10, 2006. EPA
    Donald Trump and Melania Trump, with their son Barron William Trump, watch Andy Roddick play Roger Federer at the US Open in New York on September 10, 2006. EPA
  • Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in a corseted blue gown, arrive at the 64th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, US, on January 15, 2007. EPA
    Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in a corseted blue gown, arrive at the 64th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, US, on January 15, 2007. EPA
  • Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in a fur-trimmed cape, at the Michael Kors show during New York Fashion Week in New York City on February 7, 2007. EPA
    Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in a fur-trimmed cape, at the Michael Kors show during New York Fashion Week in New York City on February 7, 2007. EPA
  • Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in neutral knits, at the US Open tennis championship at the USTA National Tennis Centre in New York, US, on September 8, 2010. EPA
    Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in neutral knits, at the US Open tennis championship at the USTA National Tennis Centre in New York, US, on September 8, 2010. EPA
  • Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in a white gown with black ribbons, arrive at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington DC, US, on April 30, 2011. EPA
    Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in a white gown with black ribbons, arrive at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington DC, US, on April 30, 2011. EPA
  • Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in Reem Acra, arrive at the annual Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York on May 2, 2011. EPA
    Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in Reem Acra, arrive at the annual Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York on May 2, 2011. EPA
  • Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in classic tailoring, at the Ryder Cup in Illinois, US, on September 27, 2012. EPA
    Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in classic tailoring, at the Ryder Cup in Illinois, US, on September 27, 2012. EPA
  • Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in white tailoring, at the US Open at the USTA National Tennis Centre in New York, US, on September 8, 2015. EPA
    Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in white tailoring, at the US Open at the USTA National Tennis Centre in New York, US, on September 8, 2015. EPA
  • US President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in Herve Pierre, arrive at the Liberty Ball after being sworn in as the 45th President of the US in Washington DC, US, on January 20, 2017. EPA
    US President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in Herve Pierre, arrive at the Liberty Ball after being sworn in as the 45th President of the US in Washington DC, US, on January 20, 2017. EPA
  • US President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in Ralph Lauren, during the Inaugural Parade after he was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States in Washington DC, US, on January 20, 2017. EPA
    US President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in Ralph Lauren, during the Inaugural Parade after he was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States in Washington DC, US, on January 20, 2017. EPA
  • Melania Trump, in Dolce & Gabbana, arrives at Saint Damaso's Court for a private audience with Pope Francis in Vatican City on May 24, 2017. EPA
    Melania Trump, in Dolce & Gabbana, arrives at Saint Damaso's Court for a private audience with Pope Francis in Vatican City on May 24, 2017. EPA
  • Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in Delpozo, arrive at Hamburg Airport for the Hamburg G20 economic summit on July 6, 2017 in Hamburg, Germany. Getty Images
    Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in Delpozo, arrive at Hamburg Airport for the Hamburg G20 economic summit on July 6, 2017 in Hamburg, Germany. Getty Images
  • President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in Michael Kors, arrive at the Elbphilharmonie philharmonic concert hall on the first day of the G20 economic summit on July 7, 2017 in Hamburg, Germany. Getty Images
    President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in Michael Kors, arrive at the Elbphilharmonie philharmonic concert hall on the first day of the G20 economic summit on July 7, 2017 in Hamburg, Germany. Getty Images
  • Melania Trump, in Dior, and French First Lady Brigitte Macron leave the dock after a boat ride on the Seine river on July 13, 2017 in Paris, France. Getty Images
    Melania Trump, in Dior, and French First Lady Brigitte Macron leave the dock after a boat ride on the Seine river on July 13, 2017 in Paris, France. Getty Images
  • Melania Trump, in a Balmain shirt, plants vegetables with students from the Boys and Girls Club of Washington DC on the grounds of the White House, in Washington DC, US, on September 22, 2017. EPA
    Melania Trump, in a Balmain shirt, plants vegetables with students from the Boys and Girls Club of Washington DC on the grounds of the White House, in Washington DC, US, on September 22, 2017. EPA
  • President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in Ralph Lauren, with Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, at the White House in Washington DC, US, on October 11, 2017. EPA
    President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in Ralph Lauren, with Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, at the White House in Washington DC, US, on October 11, 2017. EPA
  • Melania Trump, in Delpozo, during a welcoming ceremony held at the presidential Blue House on November 7, 2017 in Seoul, South Korea. Getty Images
    Melania Trump, in Delpozo, during a welcoming ceremony held at the presidential Blue House on November 7, 2017 in Seoul, South Korea. Getty Images
  • President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in Gucci, arrive for a state dinner at the Great Hall of the People on November 9, 2017 in Beijing, China. Getty Images
    President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in Gucci, arrive for a state dinner at the Great Hall of the People on November 9, 2017 in Beijing, China. Getty Images
  • Melania Trump, wearing a Zara jacket that reads 'I Really Don't Care. Do U?', returns to Washington from a visit to the US-Mexico border area in Texas, US, on June 21, 2018. Reuters.
    Melania Trump, wearing a Zara jacket that reads 'I Really Don't Care. Do U?', returns to Washington from a visit to the US-Mexico border area in Texas, US, on June 21, 2018. Reuters.
  • President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in Calvin Klein, attend the evening reception and dinner at the 2018 Nato Summit on July 11, 2018 in Brussels, Belgium. Getty Images
    President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in Calvin Klein, attend the evening reception and dinner at the 2018 Nato Summit on July 11, 2018 in Brussels, Belgium. Getty Images
  • Melania Trump, in J Mendel, arrives at Blenheim Palace on July 12, 2018 in Woodstock, England. Getty Images
    Melania Trump, in J Mendel, arrives at Blenheim Palace on July 12, 2018 in Woodstock, England. Getty Images
  • Melania Trump, in Victoria Beckham, at Royal Hospital Chelsea on July 13, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images
    Melania Trump, in Victoria Beckham, at Royal Hospital Chelsea on July 13, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Melania Trump, in Ralph Lauren, visits the Giza Pyramids in Giza, Egypt, on October 6, 2018. EPA
    Melania Trump, in Ralph Lauren, visits the Giza Pyramids in Giza, Egypt, on October 6, 2018. EPA
  • Melania Trump, in Dior, with First Lady of Argentina, Juliana Awada, during a guided visit to Malba as part of G20 Partners’ Programme on December 1, 2018 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Getty Images
    Melania Trump, in Dior, with First Lady of Argentina, Juliana Awada, during a guided visit to Malba as part of G20 Partners’ Programme on December 1, 2018 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Getty Images
  • Akie Abe and Melania Trump, in Loro Piana, visit the Mori Building Digital Art Museum on May 26, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. Getty Images
    Akie Abe and Melania Trump, in Loro Piana, visit the Mori Building Digital Art Museum on May 26, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. Getty Images
  • Melania Trump, in Carolina Herrera, and Akie Abe at the State Guest House on May 27, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. Getty Images
    Melania Trump, in Carolina Herrera, and Akie Abe at the State Guest House on May 27, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. Getty Images
  • President Donald Trump, Queen Elizabeth II, Melania Trump, in Dior, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall attend a state banquet at Buckingham Palace on June 3, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images
    President Donald Trump, Queen Elizabeth II, Melania Trump, in Dior, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall attend a state banquet at Buckingham Palace on June 3, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth II, President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in Dolce & Gabbana, during a welcome ceremony at Buckingham Palace on June 3, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth II, President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in Dolce & Gabbana, during a welcome ceremony at Buckingham Palace on June 3, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images
  • French President Emmanuel Macron, Brigitte Macron, President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in Gucci, at the Biarritz lighthouse on August 24, 2019 in Biarritz, France. Getty Images
    French President Emmanuel Macron, Brigitte Macron, President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in Gucci, at the Biarritz lighthouse on August 24, 2019 in Biarritz, France. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth II and Melania Trump, in Valentino, attend a reception for Nato leaders hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace on December 3, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth II and Melania Trump, in Valentino, attend a reception for Nato leaders hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace on December 3, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Melania Trump, in Atelier Caito for Herve Pierre, waves after arriving at the airport in New Delhi, India, on February 24, 2020. EPA
    Melania Trump, in Atelier Caito for Herve Pierre, waves after arriving at the airport in New Delhi, India, on February 24, 2020. EPA
  • Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and his wife Savita Kovind with President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in Carolina Herrera, at a state banquet at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi, India, on February 25, 2020. Reuters
    Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and his wife Savita Kovind with President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in Carolina Herrera, at a state banquet at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi, India, on February 25, 2020. Reuters
  • Melania Trump, in Alexander McQueen, walks down the Colonnade to deliver a speech during the second night of the Republican National Convention at the White House in Washington DC, US, on August 25, 2020. EPA
    Melania Trump, in Alexander McQueen, walks down the Colonnade to deliver a speech during the second night of the Republican National Convention at the White House in Washington DC, US, on August 25, 2020. EPA
  • President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in Jason Wu, on the third night of the Republican National Convention, at Fort McHenry in Baltimore, US, on August 26, 2020. EPA
    President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in Jason Wu, on the third night of the Republican National Convention, at Fort McHenry in Baltimore, US, on August 26, 2020. EPA
  • President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in Valentino, on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention, in Washington DC, US, on August 27, 2020. AP
    President Donald Trump and Melania Trump, in Valentino, on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention, in Washington DC, US, on August 27, 2020. AP

From catwalk to first lady: 49 photos that show Melania Trump's style evolution


Emma Day
  • English
  • Arabic

She might be making the rounds as a meme thanks to the green-screen-like dress she wore to last week's Republican National Convention, but this week certainly isn't the first time Melania Trump's wardrobe has made headlines.

The first lady of the US, who is married to President Donald Trump, has, by the nature of her role, often found her style fuelling conversation during her husband's tenure.

From a questionable graffiti-strewn jacket worn to visit the Mexican border, which proclaimed "I Don't Really Care", to a suit worn at the Giza Pyramids which led to her being compared to detective Hercules Poirot, the Slovenia-born former model has made some sartorial missteps.

However, mother-of-one Melania also has many style wins up her sleeve, with a penchant for dramatic, flowing gowns in bold, block colours.

Turning to labels such as Valentino, Ralph Lauren and Carolina Herrera since moving to the White House, the model has developed a classic aesthetic that, on occasion, nods to the chic style of Jackie Kennedy.

Here, we offer a red-carpet retrospective to see how her style has evolved since she's been in the public eye.