Tom Ford Addresses Rumors That He Called Melania Trump a "Glorified Escort"
Updated March 20 at 9:00 AM:
After a rumor spread on Twitter that Tom Ford made disparaging remarks about Melania Trump, reportedly saying "I have no interest in dressing a glorified escort who steals speeches and has bad taste in men," the designer talked to WWD to clear his name. He said that the statement is fabricated, and indeed several Twitter users acknowledged they could not find the original source of the quote.
"Never! Never, ever, ever, have I said that Melania was an escort," the new CFDA chairman said. "I said on The View years ago, before [Trump] was elected, that I would not dress her nor would I dress Hillary Clinton because the First Lady and the President in the White House need to be wearing clothes made in America — mine are not — and clothes at a price point that most Americans can relate to and my clothes are too expensive."
Previously:
Tom Ford recently spoke out about not dressing the First Lady elect, Melania Trump, but he has since clarified his statement, telling the world that his reasoning isn't political in nature. The designer’s statement was less about disdain for the Trumps, and more about his love for the country.
In an interview at the 2017 Golden Globes (his film Nocturnal Animals was nominated on Sunday evening), Tom Ford said: “Given this President’s beliefs about ‘made in America’, I think the clothes they wear should be made in America.”
He went on to add: “I think that whoever is the President, or the First Lady, should be wearing clothes at a price point that are accessible to most Americans, and wearing clothes made in America. My clothes are made in Italy, they're very, very expensive. I don't think most women or men in our country can relate to that, and I think the First Lady or the President should represent all people.”
And to drive the point home that his statements weren't personal, Ford revealed he feels the same way about dressing Hillary Clinton, should she have become President. Since most designers refused to dress Melania for strictly political reasons, Ford's statement adds a totally different perspective to the conversation. It will be interesting to see who ends up designing Melania's gown for the upcoming Inaugural ball — that is, if she doesn't end up purchasing a dress herself.
Related: These 6 Major Designers Will NEVER Dress Melania Trump
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