The Tamesis
This week, First Lady Melania Trump hosted the first Global Alliance for a Better Future Summit in Washington, D.C., bringing together representatives and first ladies from 45 countries. While the event was aimed at giving children around the world better access to education and technology, two scenes from the two-day conference captured the public’s attention: the U.S. first lady’s dramatic entrance with a humanoid robot, and the eye-popping handbags owned by partners of world leaders.
The first couple’s handbag table, photographed by political influencer Link Lauren, was a summit in itself. Chanel from the era of Karl Lagerfeld and Matthieu Blazy has representative works: the new Chanel 25 in black grained calfskin; a quilted flap bag in cream lambskin; and a lambskin shopping bag. There are also at least three Hermès bags, including a black Nile Lizard Birkin 20 (belonging to Lavinia Valbonesi of Ecuador), another Birkin bag and a Kelly tote.
Photo: Courtesy of Link Lauren
Also on the table is a plum Gancini chain mini bag from Ferragamo (owned by Panama-based Maricel de Mulino) and a Saint Laurent Sac de Jour tote in burgundy crocodile with a yellow and cream printed scarf on the handle. More affordable styles include the Brandon Blackwood Kendrick light blue croc-embossed suede duffel bag (now sold out) and the pink Michael Kors bag (now available). French President Brigitte Macron brought Lady Dior Voyageur wallet.
If the display seems a bit extravagant, consider that designer handbags have long had a place in the first lady’s wardrobe. Over the years, Judith Leiber’s crystal-encrusted gowns have been regularly worn by celebrities including Mamie Eisenhower, Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush, Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush, many of which are now in the collection of the Smithsonian Institute, while Jackie Kennedy Loved her Gucci G1244 so much that the Italian brand renamed it after her in the ’70s.
In fact, that hobo-style bag (which Kennedy was often photographed using to protect himself from the paparazzi) ushered in a new era of softer, more versatile handbags for women everywhere. Kennedy’s other go-tos include Hermès Trim, Chanel’s iconic Chanel 2.55 (to match her tweed suit) and a variety of Valentino bags. Michelle Obama, on the other hand, prefers high-low matching, carrying a Givenchy Horizon bag one day and a Zac Zac Posen handbag the next.
Melania Trump began wearing more American designer brands during her husband’s second term, including Wes Gordon, Adam Lipps, Ralph Lauren (for her White House portrait) and Thom Browne (for last year’s Independence Day celebrations). Despite this, she still has a keen interest in European luxury accessories, from Dior to Dolce & Gabbana and Hermès. (Trump may be the first U.S. first lady to cross the threshold of the White House carrying a Birkin bag.)
