Melania Trump's dress at Jimmy Carter's funeral sparks theories about secret meaning behind her outfit
WASHINGTON, DC: Melania Trump made a bold fashion statement with her attire during the State Funeral Service for former US President Jimmy Carter on Thursday, January 9, and social media was left wondering if there was more to her sartorial choice than what met the eye.
While the 54-year-old wore a Valentino ensemble during the somber event, her fans took the internet by storm as they speculated the hidden meaning of her dress.
Several fans were convinced that Melania’s choice of attire was not entirely coincidental, suggesting that the former model was boldly sending a message through her attire.
Melania Trump wore a statement Valentino piece to the funeral
On Thursday, Melania Trump accompanied her husband, President-elect Donald Trump, 78, to the funeral ceremony at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC.
Staying true to her fashionable persona, Melania wore a black Valentino trench dress with a white button-down shirt underneath from the brand’s fall 2019 collection. The button-down, however, featured an enormous, dramatic white collar that appeared to draw the attention of several of her fans.
Melania paired her dress with a classic black Manolo Blahnik pumps.
The black-and-white art, while it appears to be an abstract print at first glance, is actually the image of a print of a couple kissing amid roses and butterflies.
According to Daily Mail, the print appeared in multiple clothing pieces of the fashion brand’s 2019 collaborative collection with the high-end Japanese street brand, Undercover.
Soon, Melania’s fans took to social media to find the hidden meaning behind the print. One fashion-conscious user, took to X, to write, “Melania's Coat Dress that she wore today is by designer, Valentino. Valentino used a print of the sculpture "The Kiss" in this collection that she's wearing.”
The user went on to delve deeper into the intention behind the sculpture, saying it was “originally conceived by a larger sculpture titled, "The Gates of Hell,"' and added a Wikipedia page description.
The outlet reported that the page explained the art as, “The Kiss (Le Baiser) was originally in The Gate along with other figures of Paolo and Francesca da Rimini.”
Melania’s Coat Dress that she wore today is by designer, Valentino.
— MAGABrittany (@paintsaints) January 9, 2025
Valentino used a print of the sculpture “The Kiss” in this collection that she’s wearing.
The sculpture was originally conceived by a larger sculpture titled, “The Gates of Hell”.
How fitting to wear in a room… pic.twitter.com/5RfC7u4AHI
“Rodin wanted to represent their initial joy as well as their final damnation,” continued the description, before adding, “He removed the figure that became known as The Kiss because it seemed to conflict with the other suffering figures.”
"How fitting to wear in a room full of traitors," concluded the fan.
The incoming first couple were seated in a room with all the living former Presidents, along with the current President Joe Biden, and Trump's former opponent and Vice President Kamala Harris.
At one time, Trump was seen engaged in a hearty conversation with former president Barack Obama.
Donald Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen Pence were also present in the room, but the outlet reported that Karen did not acknowledge the president-elect and his wife when they arrived.
Melania Trump's coat dress sparks discussion
Soon, several users put forward their theories including the one that it was befitting for her to wear the dress in a room full of politicians who harbored different political opinions than her husband.
One of the social media users said, "For those wondering 💭 as I was, Melania’s collar is a Valentino 🇮🇹 19th-century neoclassical sculpture of kissing lovers, a butterfly 🦋 & a 🌹 theme. Everything she does is with thoughtful intention 😌 Style is back."
For those wondering 💭 as I was, Melania’s collar is a Valentino 🇮🇹
— Don’t Dox Me (@VelvettyWords) January 9, 2025
19th-century neoclassical sculpture of kissing lovers, a butterfly 🦋 & a 🌹 theme. Everything she does is with thoughtful intention 😌 Style is back. pic.twitter.com/MAklNO7WdS
Another fan chimed in, "There’s always meaning behind her outfits!"
There’s always meaning behind her outfits!
— Dana Sammons-Carpenter (@DanaSammonsCarp) January 9, 2025
Meanwhile, everyone was of not the same opinion, as another user suggested it was just a key design, stating, "No, shes not political like that. its Valentino so she is wearing a key design."
no, shes not political like that. its Valentino so she is wearing a key design.
— TMHQ (@RealTrumpMafia) January 9, 2025
Nevertheless, another user said, "Melania wears Valentino's The Kiss, a perfect choice for their seating."
Melania wears Valentino's The Kiss, a perfect choice for their seating. pic.twitter.com/WFMASm1QRv
— Miana (@MVetisan) January 9, 2025
"Melania is beautiful no matter what she wears but this is stunning ~ what it a tribute to the Carter’s Love Story?" asked someone referencing late President Jimmy Carter's fairytale love story with his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn Carter.
Melania is beautiful no matter what she wears but this is stunning ~ what it a tribute to the Carter’s Love Story? https://t.co/38wWs4MAgp
— TheRealCherokeeOwl (@RealCherokeeOwl) January 9, 2025
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