The Designer of Melania Trump’s Inaugural Ball Gown Loved Working With Her

First lady Melania Trump wore a stunning, off-the-shoulder gown that she co-created with French designer Hervé Pierre, to the inaugural balls. With the considerable press about various designers refusing to outfit the new first lady, the glamorous custom ivory gown was the subject of much media attention.

Pierre, though, thoroughly supports the first lady and, as he revealed in his first interview since Jan. 21, he’s also incredibly grateful for the opportunity. Additionally, working with her has seemed to only help his career.

“I had no idea when I made the dress what the consequences would be,” Pierre told Bazaar.com on his newfound celeb status. “Immediately my phone went completely ballistic with interview requests; I had investors and bankers in Dubai calling, people opened fake Instagram accounts under my name. Even Target called to say, ‘We are so excited you are doing a line for us.’ I’m like, ‘Well, I had no idea I was doing one.’ The attention is something I’m not used to.”

Originally approached by Melania Trump to be her stylist for the event, the first lady then asked the designer to create the dress with her help after seeing a number of his sketches, according to Bazaar.com.

Throughout the design process, Pierre shared that the incoming first lady was intent on making a dress that was completely her own. “She was very specific about the neckline, about all the lines being parallel. It was important for us not to follow any recipe for a ‘first lady gown.'”

Melania was even particular about the small details, with Pierre sharing that she once told him, “Hervé, I love you, but I cannot move my arm to hold my husband’s arm when we dance.” This outspoken attitude during the design process helped Pierre better understand what the first lady was looking for, he said. “As a man designing for a woman, you put into the clothing your ideals, what you idolize, but a woman will put you back on track and say, ‘I cannot reach my fork,’” he said.

Pierre has nothing but positive feedback to report about his time dressing the first lady, sharing that she already possesses a deep understanding of the fashion industry. “She knows fashion — she was a model and has worked in a design studio — so she knows about construction,” he said. “When I brought her fabric swatches, she immediately picked the heaviest, most beautiful six-ply silk from Italy. She knows about fabrics. It was a very organic conversation, because we have the same vocabulary.”

The former creative director at Carolina Herrera has worked with the first lady in the past. In fact, he has fond memories of helping her find pieces during his time at the fashion house. “I remember when she used to come to the Herrera offices — when she was pleased with the clothes, she would scream with happiness,” he shared.

When questioned about how he would respond to the designers who voiced their disinterest in dressing the first lady, Pierre offered a thoughtful response. “That’s the good thing about this country: we are all equal, but we are definitely not the same,” he told Bazaar.com. “I’m not doing politics, I’m doing dresses. We are not suddenly brokering a big deal between China and Russia. If people don’t want to dress her, I think it’s sad, but I was honored. I don’t criticize these people — it’s their choice, and that’s the beauty of democracy.”

Pierre does plan and hope to work with the first lady in the future. As for his predictions for Melania’s fashions in the White House? “There is an economy of the drawing, and that’s who she is,” he said. “Her next four years as first lady are going to be — like this gown — straight to the point, perhaps with a single, measured detail.”

Related: Melania Trump Helped Hervé Pierre Design Her Inaugural Ball Gown

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