WASHINGTON: Melania, or more specifically Melania’s hat, what were you saying?
The media and the Twitterverse had a big time Tuesday with the first lady’s I-spy chapeau, a wide-brim number designed by Herve Pierre that would have been perfect had the sun been out in Washington.
It was a grand topper for Mrs. Trump’s bright white Michael Kors suit and some said it stole the show during the South Lawn military pageantry welcoming French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, during their first official state visit.
Others on the social media sidelines were merely perplexed.
Was the hat more Joan Collins’ Alexis Carrington Colby on “Dynasty” or Kerry Washington’s Olivia Pope on “Scandal?” Was the grim-faced first lady in theoretical need of help as some asked on Inauguration Day?
Mrs. Trump kept her hat in place as the group moved indoors and also at the National Gallery of Art for a Cezanne break with Mrs. Macron, who wore a creamier shade of white, but no hat.
“Melania’s hat for president,” one tweeter declared. Others shared the sentiment.
Another chimed in: “Getting some serious Beyonce Formation vibes from Melania’s hat this morning.” Bey wore a version in black in the video for that hit.
Others on social media stuck to matters of etiquette, like the Twitter account of I’m Every Woman: “Melania’s hat might be OK for the races, a runway or even Church, not to wear when greeting visitors when you want to express a warm welcome. You want people to see your eyes and face and not impose an obstacle to the two cheek kiss, a French greeting.”
One thing was certain. Mrs. Trump was seriously committed to her hat.
First lady Melania Trump greets the Macrons with a hat
First lady Melania Trump greets the Macrons with a hat
Lavender looks: top fashion from the Joy Awards 2026
- Some of the best-dressed celebs from the lavender carpet at the Jan. 17 awards in Riyadh
DUBAI: Some of the best-dressed celebs from the lavender carpet at the Jan. 17 Joy Awards in Riyadh.
Abeer Nehme
The Lebanese singer and actress walked the lavender carpet in a custom-made gown by Rami Kadi Couture, featuring a fitted black bodice in “stretchy satin, complemented by a midnight-blue skire and refined with draped detailing along the bodice,” the fashion label wrote on Instagram.
Noha Nabil
The Kuwaiti beauty influencer selected a gold-and-copper asymmetric ombré gown created by Lebanese-American designer Rami Kadi for her Joy Awards appearance. The dress, which comes from the label’s “L’Éventail” collection, was “distinguished by sculptural ruffled layers and entirely embellished with shimmering sequins for a radiant, fluid silhouette.”
Carole Samaha
The famed Lebanese singer and actress — and former “X-Factor” judge — turned heads in this scarlet dress with sheer lace cutouts, created by Lebanese designer Tony Ward, at the awards, which she described in an Instagram post as “a night celebrating talent, creativity, and inspiration.”
Laila Abdallah
The Lebanese actress walked the Joy Awards lavender carpet in this floor-length, flowing gown that comes from Lebanese designer Georges Hobeika’s fashion house’s couture collection for Fall-Winter 2025. Abdallah told Arab News that the award ceremony is “(a) mix of culture and luxury. It has that Gulf Arab character, the Saudi touch, you know? And that’s what really makes it stand out.”
Aseel Omran
The Saudi singer and actress turned to the couture Fall 2024 collection of acclaimed Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad for her outfit, selecting what the label describes as “a sculptural gown featuring a strapless black velvet bodice with velvet floral appliques and a fluid blush draped satin skirt paired with long opera gloves.”
Karen Wazen
The Lebanese entrepreneur and social-media personality Karen Wazen walked the lavender carpet in this classically tailored embroidered gown from Lebanese designer Elie Saab. She told Arab News: “I’m so proud to be at an event like this in our region, in Saudi Arabia. This is probably the most impressive and biggest carpet that I’ve ever seen, and it just feels really, really good.”
Angham
The Egyptian singer and actress — who picked up the Best Female Singer of the Year award at the event — wore a “custom couture off-the-shoulder white gown embroidered with crystals and soft beading,” created by Zuhair Murad for the lavender carpet.
Nadine Nassib Njeim
The Tunisian-Lebanese actress and entrepreneur wore an haute couture gown created by Australian designer Tamara Ralph’s eponymous label, which described her outfit as “a fine crystal mesh floral intarsia gown with crystal buckle, paired with a mint duchesse coat.”
Tara Atalla
The Jordanian actress wore a brown Rami Kadi couture gown from the label’s “L’Éventail” collection, which was, according to the designer’s Instagram page, “exquisitely embroidered with luminous beads and silk threads, reflecting refined craftsmanship and understated elegance.”
