Ontwerper Sophie Theallet weigert first lady Melania Trump te kleden, zo meldt WWD, die in een open brief andere ontwerpers oproept om hetzelfde te doen. Theallet:
'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. The rhetoric of racism, sexism and xenophobia unleashed by her husband's presidential campaign are incompatible with the shared values we live by.'
Theallet kleedde jarenlang Michelle Obama toen ze first lady was. Dat het commercieel gezien geen verstandige keuze is, begrijpt ze. Theallet vervolgt haar open brief dan ook met:
'I am well aware it is not wise to get involved in politics. 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.'
Afsluitend:
'Integrity is our only true currency.'
