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Fashion diplomacy

Fashion diplomacy

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

Will first lady Melania Trump, snubbed by fashion insiders during President Donald Trump’s first term, join the Princess of Wales, Meghan Markle and Michelle Obama as a fashion icon, second time around? Photo: Reuters

Is the fashion world finally ready to embrace Melania Trump?

Fashion media like Vogue, and key designers and brands, are less likely to ignore the first lady’s wardrobe upon President Donald Trump’s second term – but will she have the so-called ‘Kate Effect’?

6 Feb 2025 - 5:47PM

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

21 Jan 2025 - 11:12AM

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

On the campaign trail, Harris has gone for softer colours, while showing she can also glam it up for special occasions – and of course, she’s still a huge fan of Converse trainers

24 Sep 2024 - 4:25PM

The many faces of Kamala Harris, from pride to pantsuits, pictured at (left to right): the 2019 Pride march in San Francisco; speaking at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in August 2024; and the 2023 White House Correspondents’ Association dinner at the Washington Hilton. Photos: Getty Images, Reuters, Handout

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

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

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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

Wife to president John F. Kennedy, Jackie Kennedy Onassis remains influential to this day – including for her dress sense. Photo: WireImage

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

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

Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy with husband John F. Kennedy Jr, pictured less than three months before their deaths, during the annual White House Correspondents dinner May 1, 1999 in Washington, D.C. Though the couple were killed almost 25 years ago, she remains an enduring influence on designers today. Photo:Liaison

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

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

US first lady Jill Biden has dressed stylishly while in the public eye throughout the years. Photos: WireImage, Getty Images

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

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

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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

Conservative party leadership contender Liz Truss channels Margaret Thatcher on the campaign trail. Photo: Getty Images

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

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

Whatever they can’t say, the British royals make up for in their fashion choices. Photos: AFP; @wplucehy, @EllaVandeleur/Twitter

‘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

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

Donald Trump might be out of the White House, but Melania Trump’s erratic schedule continues to fascinate the public. Photo: AFP

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

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

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