Fashion designer refuses to dress Melania Trump By Judy Kurtz - 11/18/16 12:47 PM EST
A fashion designer whose styles have been sported by Michelle Obama is boycotting dressing Melania Trump, saying she encourages “my fellow designers to do the same” when it comes to outfitting the next first lady.
"As one who celebrates and strives for diversity, individual freedom and respect for all lifestyles, I will not participate in dressing or associating in any way with the next First Lady," Sophie Theallet wrote in a letter this week.
“The rhetoric of racism, sexism, and xenophobia unleashed by her husband’s presidential campaign are incompatible with the shared values we live by,” Theallet wrote about President-elect Donald Trump.
“I encourage my fellow designers to do the same,” she continued.
“I am well aware it is not wise to get involved in politics,” the fashion maven wrote. “That said, as a family-owned company, our bottom line is not just about money. We value our artistic freedom and always humbly seek to contribute to a more humane, conscious and ethical way to create in this world.”
Theallet appears to be the first designer to snub Melania Trump before the former model moves into the executive mansion. While other designers have spoken out against Donald Trump, they’ve still expressed a willingness to dress his wife.