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Fashion diplomacy

Fashion diplomacy

An in-depth look at the style of first ladies around the world.

last updated:

9 September, 2024

Barron Trump and First Lady Melania Trump listen as US President Donald Trump delivers remarks after being sworn in as the 47th President in the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. SAUL LOEB/Pool via REUTERS

Melania’s big hat: who designed Mrs Trump’s inauguration day outfit?

Melania’s wide-brimmed hat kept Joe Biden at a distance, while Donald joked ‘she almost blew away’ – the first lady’s style has also been likened to Jackie Kennedy’s in the past.

1 hour ago

Recap | Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Tim Walz, JD Vance: what are the style secrets behind their campaign looks?

5 Nov 2024 - 11:52AM

What Kamala Harris’ wardrobe really says, from bold pantsuits to chill Converse

24 Sep 2024 - 4:25PM

Celebrity style

How Brigitte Macron always puts her most fashionable foot forward

About to turn 71, Macron has been praised for her unerring fashion sense, with an emphasis on Louis Vuitton, and close ties with LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault and LV creative director Nicolas Ghesquière

12 Apr 2024 - 4:00PM

French President Emmanuel Macron and his ever-stylish wife, Brigitte Macron, at the traditional Bastille Day military parade on the Champs-Elysées in Paris, in July 2018. Photo: Getty Images

Celebrity style

Ivanka Trump’s post-White House style transformation

Since distancing herself from Donald Trump, she’s ditched the safe Gucci and Burberry ‘fits for fun looks to party with Kim Kardashian and Anant Ambani.

15 Mar 2024 - 4:18AM

How to Style like Jackie Kennedy Onassis, the definition of a fashion icon

The former first lady wrote the White House fashion rule book, influencing everyone from Melania Trump to Kate Middleton and even Taylor Swift – here’s how you can follow suit

23 Feb 2024 - 7:00AM

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How to Style like Michelle Obama: confident choices and a good eye for the occasion

The fierce first lady bossed it at her last state dinner in a chain mail Atelier Versace gown, and who can forget her Thom Browne coatdress for Inauguration Day?

9 Feb 2024 - 8:00AM

How to Style like Michelle Obama: now a best-selling author, she often made bold fashion choices as US first lady. Photo: AP

Fame and celebrity

How Florida first lady Casey DeSantis is channelling Jackie Kennedy

Meet the Florida first lady, former NBC news anchor and champion equestrian who is ‘strategically’ channelling White House chic at the side of her husband, governor Ron

22 Nov 2023 - 4:00AM

The enduring fashion legacy of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy

Killed in a place crash alongside her husband John F. Kennedy Jr almost 25 years ago, she continues to influence designers with her characterful yet approachable take on dressing well

27 Nov 2023 - 12:17PM

Meet the designers pioneering Saudi Arabia’s fashion revolution

As Mohammed Ashi becomes the first Saudi Arabian designer at Paris Fashion Week, calling it the ‘peak’ of his career, excitement for the kingdom’s booming fashion industry is palpable

10 Jul 2023 - 5:46PM

Fashion designer Mohammed Ashi poses after his women’s autumn/winter 2023/2024 haute couture show at Fashion Week on July 6. Photo: AFP

Badges of honour: how high jewellery brooches made a glittering comeback

The brooch is back, going from frumpy to fashion-forward after being championed by the likes of Lady Gaga, Rihanna and the late Madeleine Albright

6 Jun 2023 - 10:21AM

Rihanna’s clusters of vintage
Joseph Saidian & Sons diamond brooches glittered in the spotlight at February’s Super Bowl half-time show. Photo: Getty Images

Cannes Film Festival

‘Stop Executions’: Iranian model’s ‘noose’ dress at Cannes sparks backlash

The internet is divided over Iranian model Mahlagha Jaberi’s Jila Saber bodycon dress with a neckline resembling a noose, in protest of her home country’s ‘wrongful executions’ – here’s what we know

1 Jun 2023 - 3:02PM

Celebrity style

18 of US first lady Jill Biden’s best style moments ever

US first lady Jill Biden has great taste in fashion – we look back at 18 of her best style moments, from a silky blue Vera Wang gown to a daring leather dress on NBC’s The Voice with Michelle Obama

9 Feb 2023 - 10:38AM

Celebrity style

21 of Michelle Obama’s best style moments ever

Michelle Obama’s style has evolved as she went from the highly scrutinised first lady of the US to a book author wearing more adventurous outfits … take a peek at 21 of her best looks over the years

25 Jan 2023 - 12:10AM

21 of Michelle Obama’s top style triumphs, from her time as first lady of the US and after. Photos: AFP, EPA, Getty Images, @michelleobama/Instagram

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry

9 times Meghan Markle’s style choices had secret messages

For Meghan Markle, a dress is never just a dress … her outfits often include hidden meanings, from looks that mirror Princess Diana to jewellery brands that support women

20 Jan 2023 - 12:10AM

Meghan Markle’s outfits often contain special meanings. Photos: TNS, YouTube, WireImage

Prada shoes, designer suits: Rishi Sunak’s stealth-wealth wardrobe

UK leader Rishi Sunak’s penchant for Prada shoes and designer suits stand in stark contrast to his predecessors – but also disguises his expensive tastes by frequently dressing semi-casual.

31 Oct 2022 - 11:15AM

Liz Truss’ fashion choices – did they help her become UK prime minister?

New British prime minister Liz Truss is known for making bold fashion choices. Whether appearing to copy Michelle Obama or Margaret Thatcher, some observers say her style played a part in her victory.

9 Sep 2022 - 9:58AM

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Is South Korea’s Kim Keon-hee the world’s most fashionable first lady?

South Korea’s fashionable first lady Kim Keon-hee isn’t like the other women that have come before her – where they kept low profiles while their husbands ran the country, Kim embraces the spotlight.

9 Jul 2022 - 5:15PM

Some of the outfits worn by South Korea’s first lady, Kim Keon-hee, during a visit to Spain, where her husband attended the 2022 Nato summit. Unlike her predecessors who have kept low profiles, Kim is unafraid to embrace the spotlight.

That chest hair: how Macron vs Le Pen fashion war mirrors election contest

Both Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen are using style choices to swing the tides of battle, with the incumbent French president’s recent chest-flashing photo setting the internet alight.

23 Apr 2022 - 11:15AM

8 times British royals sent messages with their fashion choices

Queen Elizabeth may have trolled Trump by wearing a brooch gifted to her by the Obamas, while Meghan Markle appeared to choose ‘suffragette white’ for International Women’s Day

29 Mar 2022 - 3:00AM

‘He was not amused’: when Madeleine Albright’s pin took a jab at Putin

Former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who died on Wednesday, used brooches to send diplomatic messages; one ‘probably went too far’ when meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin.

24 Mar 2022 - 11:45AM

Then US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright meets then Acting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow’s Kremlin on February 2, 2000. In another meeting between the two later that year, Albright would wear her now infamous three-monkey pin. Photo: AP

How Putin’s US$14,000 coat, Zelensky’s T-shirts send a message to the world

Vladimir Putin’s Loro Piana puffer jacket, Volodymyr Zelensky’s combat gear and Emmanuel Macron’s air force hoodie reflect the different ways male leaders use fashion to make an impact.

24 Mar 2022 - 12:12PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin
wears a US$14,000 Loro Piana coat with a US$3,000 roll-neck jumper at a concert marking the eighth anniversary of Russia’s annexation of Crimea at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, on March 18, 2022. Photo: Reuters

Celebrity style

20 most expensive US first lady outfits worn by Jill, Michelle and Melania

From Michelle Obama’s custom Atelier Versace gown and Melania Trump’s Gucci coat, to Jill Biden’s favourite Oscar de la Renta florals

25 Jan 2022 - 3:00AM

Melania Trump’s mysterious year: from birthday no-show to surprise comeback

From epic fashions fails to divorce rumours, the news cycle couldn’t get enough of the former first lady this year

24 Dec 2021 - 4:00AM

Are these the 5 most controversial outfits Melania Trump has worn?

From her Gucci pussy-bow blouse to the ‘colonial’ pith helmet on safari in Kenya and that unforgettable ‘I don’t really care’ Zara jacket

13 Oct 2021 - 3:00AM

While she may not be a fashionista, Melania Trump has worn some fashion items that have been jaw dropping, but not for the right reasons. Photos: AFP, AP, @kwskenya/Twitter

Celebrity style

11 times Melania Trump and Michelle Obama wore affordable fashion

Many former US first ladies preferred designer labels, but today high-street brands are just as likely to appear in their wardrobes too

29 Sep 2021 - 3:00AM

Former US first ladies Michelle Obama, Melania Trump and Betty Ford were just as likely to wear affordable fashion as designer labels. Photos: Reuters, @melaniatrump.style/Instagram, blog.vintagevixen.com

Is Jill Biden low-key trolling Melania Trump?

Michelle Obama and Jill Biden both featured on Vogue’s cover as first ladies, unlike Melania Trump – so how else has Melania been low-key snubbed since leaving the White House?

25 Aug 2021 - 3:00AM

6 gifts to Melania Trump from world leaders … but which was the priciest?

During her final year in the White House, Melania Trump was gifted all manner of high value items, from a US$470 pair of white gold earrings to a US$2,300 vase …

7 Aug 2021 - 3:00AM

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