Posted on 03/17/2017 6:01:46 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Much like Hollywood actresses making the rounds for awards season (roughly 20 major public appearances for an Oscar nominee in a mere 3.5 months), being FLOTUS, means countless state dinners, charity engagements and trips to be chicly attired for. First Lady Melania Trump has already stepped out in a series of designer looks for her first 56 days in the role, from Ralph Lauren to custom Herve Pierre and most recently a black beaded $9,590 Michael Kors suit for Donald Trump’s first joint address to Congress. However, unlike an A-list actress, Trump is reportedly footing the bill.
"Why do rich people need free clothes? Melania should buy her clothes," says veteran red carpet-stylist Phillip Bloch, who dressed Tiffany Trump for inauguration weekend. Kors released a statement about Trump’s congressional look, unofficially confirming that the First Lady purchased her ensemble: "Mrs. Trump has been a longtime client at our New York boutique. She has a keen understanding of what works best for her and her lifestyle. My embroidered black suit reflects the streamlined glamour that she is known for."
With a number of designers like Tom Ford, Sophie Theallet and Marc Jacobs publicly acknowledging post-election that they won’t be dressing the current First Lady — and a noted drop in designer press releases going out (a norm during Michelle O’s FLOTUS reign) — there's reason to wonder whether or not Mrs. Trump is buying by choice or if it's because she has less support from the fashion community and fewer covetable options than her predecessors.
Bloch says no: "Melania is buying, but she does not have limited options — she is married to a rich man and can buy whatever she wants!" The bi-coastal stylist, who served as the creative style director for Donald Trump’s Miss Universe Pageant, praises Mrs. Trump's choices thus far, "She wears clothes well and has a great style, I rarely see her make a misstep."
The president’s better half is technically not supposed to accept designer freebies, nor does the position come with a clothing allowance. And no, the taxpayers don’t foot the bill either. The first family is expected to pay for clothing out of pocket though it is assumed special discounts are offered; dressing the first lady is not only an honor for most brands, it often results in a sales boost, as evidenced by Ralph Lauren’s stock bump (from $88.19 to $90.13 per share) right after Trump wore the designer’s sky-blue ensemble on Inauguration Day.
Joanna Rosholm, press secretary to former first lady Obama (who was known for her love of both high-end fashion and contemporary brands like J. Crew) said that Obama did not borrow clothing during her 8 years in the White House. Rosholm explained in 2014: "Mrs. Obama pays for her clothing. For official events of public or historic significance, such as a state visit, the first lady's clothes may be given as a gift by a designer and accepted on behalf of the U.S. government. They are then stored by the National Archives.''
Laura Bush also paid for all her clothes, including her two inaugural ball gowns: a red crystal-embroidered gown by Texan designer Michael Faircloth and a silver and blue Oscar de la Renta. In her memoir Bush noted that she was "amazed by the sheer number of designer clothes I was expected to purchase" during her time as First Lady.
For her part, Kate Middleton follows a similar protocol, royals do not accept designer gifts. Middleton’s official public appearances wardrobe funds — an estimated $80,000 for her eight-day official Canadian tour in September of 2016 — come out of Prince Charles's "Household" budget. Designer Katherine Hooker reaffirmed the idea that the Duchess of Cambridge buys not borrows by telling the Huffington Post, "[Kate] doesn’t take free clothes, and I’ve heard that from other people who sent her things. She always comes to the shop, which is nice.”
Adds Bloch: "As much as I loved that Michelle [Obama] mixed high and low and Kate [Middleton] does it too, Melania just isn’t that girl. She is going to wear that $9,000 sequin outfit to Congress. I admire her for buying clothes and I think Hollywood can take a note."
In December 1971 when his great grandfathers (Charles Rolo Payne) estate was settled his grandmother became his legal guardian. She was promoted VP in charge of escrow and Trust at bank Barack was enrolled in expensive school. Family moved into a penthouse. (The family trust is still listed as income schedule E of taxes. )
Gramps wasn’t just a bookkeeper. He received one tenth of one percent of the profit of each lease he wrote on mineral rights in Kansas and
Oklahoma. The Stanley D and Stanley A wells on the family property is still producing. The company Gramps wrote leases for now owns controlling interests on Solyndra.
In other words Obama has been a millionaire since age ten. The purpose IMO of him writing a book about his AFrican heritage was to keep people from looking at his wealthy Kansas ancestors
I know North Michigan Avenue quite well myself. I thought the Oak Street shopping happened after Barack was elected as senator.
I would be surprised if they were actually worth millions at that point because there was quite a lot of speculation as to how they could have ever afforded the pricey house in Hyde Park. That’s where Tony Rezko came in.
BTW, what corporate boards did Obama sit on? And, from what I understand, Obama was never even an adjunct professor of U of C. How much do non-tenured lecturers actually make?
I know North Michigan Avenue quite well myself. I thought the Oak Street shopping happened after Barack was elected as senator.
I would be surprised if they were actually worth millions at that point because there was quite a lot of speculation as to how they could have ever afforded the pricey house in Hyde Park. That’s where Tony Rezko came in.
BTW, what corporate boards did Obama sit on? And, from what I understand, Obama was never even an adjunct professor of U of C. How much do non-tenured lecturers actually make?
The designers do it for advertising as the designer’s name is noted every time they are interviewed.
Interesting, and completely new to me.
What is the source of your information?
The house in Chicago in deeded to a lawyer and appears to be held as investment property by his Family Trust Lots of legal and financial manipulation went on to keep the trust out of the public eye
As I recall, the US Government [a/k/a our taxes] bought a large quantity of Obama’s books to redistribute in the Middle East through US embassies.
I really have NO idea just how much wee barry got paid for the once a week, no show class he taught at the U of C, in SOCIAL JUSTICE, which he rarely even showed up to teach. Sorry about that; however, as I stated in an earlier post, that job DID allow both of his kids to go to Lab for nothing.
The house in Hyde park was bought with a GIGANTIC mortgage, which non of us would EVER get, from the bank that he sued and had hordes of South Side blacks picketing and beat into some nefarious submission re giving blacks mortgages that everyone KNEW would NEVER be repaid.
Rezko bought part of the backyard, because the price was still to high for the Obamas to raise. That whole thing was CORRUPT!
I don't remember all of the boards, now, off the top of my head, but yes, he and the MOOCH were on some.
A half dozen of us did ground research before the 2012 election. There’s a thread somewhere on our findings. (Some were from individuals experience) We sent the material to many MSM but no one would look into it.
It sure did!
Rezkos first job in the US was for Louis FerretCON. He had him working to convert Cassius Clay. ( more trivia)
Jesse Robinson Jacksons biological father Noah Robinson (related to Mixhelle) was a sparing partner JJ’s half bro NOAH jr is doing life for his involvement with the black muslim street Gang, (founded by a Mexican Drug cart) The Gang controlled the neighborhood BHO organized and had its domestic terrorism funded by Louis FerretCON.
Oh what evil webs they weave
Lots more bits and pieces on the Chicago CrimeThread
Valerie Jarrett's ex-father-in-law belonged to the same South Side COMMIE group as Frank Marshall Davis and the two of them were BFF and this was before Frank moving to Hawaii ( they remained close friends all of the rest of their lives )and Stanley Ann was born...let alone Valerie and wee barry.
I heard there was a Salvation Army store not far from the White House, I’m sure that is where the wookie got her clothes from, or walking along the streets at night and looking through the trash bins...
No, I heard she paid full price on her trips to Goodwill.
“Name the last poor president.”
O’bammy. Moochie took every freebie that came her way, as did he. They are both still beholden for it too
Barack Obama comes from money on his mothers side of the family
More like shopping at Good Will, Salvation Army, or the Open Door Mission.
More like shopping at Good Will, Salvation Army, or the Open Door Mission.
How much did Barack pay for his numerous designer suits?
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