Melania Trump takes floral fashion diplomacy to new lengths in China
The wife of the US president references Chinese tradition during her three-day trip to Beijing
Melania Trump, the wife of the US president, made several floral sartorial nods to her host country on the couple’s trip to China, culminating in an opulent Chinese-style embroidered qipao by Gucci for a state dinner on Thursday night.
Looking every stiletto inch the ex-model, Trump sported a black floor-length dress stitched with brightly coloured flowers and a phoenix, a symbol of an emperor’s wife in imperial China. The dress’s sleeves were trimmed in pale pink fur, a look that combined Chinese tradition with Trump’s preference for Italian luxury labels.
But Hong Kong fashion designer William Tang said Trump’s qipao was overembroidered.
“Westerners tend to think Chinese style should be loud,” Tang said.
Peng Liyuan, folk singer and wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, also went for a striking qipao for the state dinner, making her most daring selection for some time. Peng wore a sheer, looser-cut black qipao over a dark wine-coloured sleeveless dress.
