Meet the man who made Melania’s inauguration hat

NBC Washington ^ | Jan 20, 2025

[CondoleezzaProtege]

Eric Javits shares the story behind Melania Trump’s iconic inauguration hat…

[CondoleezzaProtege]

The First Lady chose two independent American designers to make her mark on history. Hat - Eric Javitz. Outfit - Adam Lippes.

A new era of style is upon us. In one fell swoop, she put Vogue in its place and the entire fashion world on notice. Melania is the leader now. :)

[C210N]

[cockroach_magoo]

Elegant... with a touch of Clint Eastwood.

[McGavin999]

Ok I like that guy.

[mass55th]

A 2021 NY Post Page Six article says his great-uncle was Republican Senator Jacob Javits (NY).

[HYPOCRACY]

[EinNYC]

It was definitely British in appearance. Kate Middleton would be right at home wearing such a hat. However, I thought the brim was too flat; we did not get much chance to admire our First Lady. I think a very slightly upturned brim would have been better.

[monkeyshine]

That’s exactly what my wife said. Lol.

[FamiliarFace]

She wanted to see out, but didn’t want you to see in. Her prerogative.

We all admire her. I bet you she was concerned for her husband’s welfare, and her family’s.

She knows, more intimately than we do, what it would be like to be Jackie O. She was just arming herself emotionally.

My take. Don’t hold it against her.

[Hebrews 11:6]

we did not get much chance to admire our First Lady.

I inferred that must have been her specific intent, during the bipartisan swearing-in.

[Drew68]

My take. Don’t hold it against her.

She may be a little skittish about returning to White House life. Lord knows, she was treated shamefully the first time by the press.

I think she’ll be treated better this time but it may take a few months for her to warm back up.

[maro]

Agree. She should not look like she is in the Witness Protection Program!

[nanetteclaret]

Exactly. And don’t forget, she was having to look at the people who wanted to kill her husband. Having a mysterious air prevented them from making assumptions about her attitude. Her hat did the work of protecting her from prying eyes. As someone else remarked, it was like having sunglasses on without having sunglasses on. She could see them, but they couldn’t see her.

[MayflowerMadam]

I’ve heard it called her “FAFO Outfit”. Sending a message to those who rifled through her underwear drawer.

[nanetteclaret]

Absolutely! It definitely sends that message.

[ABStrauss]

gaucho

[cymbeline]

“not get much chance to admire our First Lady.”

We did at the Presidential balls that evening.

[FamiliarFace]

Love that.

FAFO outfit.

I wish I were badass enough to need one of those.

[dayglored]

My wife was fascinated by Melania's hat, and liked it a lot. She commented that combined with Melania's dark ensemble with the white pointed collar, it reminded her of the "Spy vs. Spy" characters of Antonio Prohías in Mad Magazine. I think the hat provided an air of mystery and seriousness of purpose.

[know.your.why]

Happy Hatter?