In a tale that blends fashion with a dash of drama, Eric Javits, the designer behind Melania Trump’s iconic inauguration hat, found himself in a race against time after the original piece met an unfortunate fate during transport.
As the First Lady graced the presidential inauguration in a chic navy silk-and-wool ensemble complemented by a striking boater hat, Javits witnessed a remarkable spike in online interest for his creations. “A few thousand inquiries poured in,” he noted, attributing the hat’s appeal to Melania’s keen fashion sense.
“Women who wear hats know the magic they can bring,” he remarked, hinting at the transformative power of a well-chosen accessory. Naturally, it helps to have a tall, elegant figure, as Melania certainly possesses, making it easier to showcase such an audacious piece.
When witnessing Melania donning his design, Javits felt an immense wave of joy—especially since he was uncertain she would wear it due to adverse weather conditions forcing a venue change. “I didn’t want to assume anything,” he explained, emphasizing the simplicity and understated elegance of her outfit, which he believed contributed to the hat’s impact.
The request for the custom hat came from Melania’s stylist, Hervé Pierre, just months before the inauguration. Their prior acquaintance, dating back to visits to Javits’s Long Island City studio, paved the way for this collaboration. “It was a pleasant surprise,” he admitted, recalling that Melania had opted for no headwear during the 2017 inauguration.
Historically, some First Ladies have bypassed hats altogether for this significant event, with notable examples like Hillary Clinton and Nancy Reagan sporting them at earlier inaugurations. However, Javits noted that it had been quite some time since a First Lady graced an inauguration with a hat—dating back to Bill Clinton’s swearing-in.
Interestingly, this wasn’t Melania’s first encounter with Javits’s designs; she had previously purchased another boater style, dubbed The Gondolier. Javits speculated that her comfort with the boater silhouette influenced her choice for the January 20 ceremony, as it’s a traditional shape favored by many designers, notably Saint Laurent and Givenchy.
The creation of Melania’s hat wasn’t without its challenges. The designer had to improvise when faced with a tight schedule that precluded ordering a custom wood block for shaping the hat. Instead, he repurposed an existing block and crafted the piece using a combination of a sample from his archive and another boater Melania already owned. The final design featured a chic navy fabric and an elegant off-white ribbon that harmonized with her outfit.
However, the journey to the inauguration was fraught with complications. After shipping the hat to New York City for a fitting, a snowstorm delayed its arrival, and upon receipt, it was discovered that the hat had been crushed beyond repair. With time ticking away, Javits had to create a new hat in just 3.5 days, ultimately crafting a version he felt surpassed the original.
As the inauguration unfolded, the hat’s wide brim inadvertently caused a moment of levity, preventing the then-president-elect from kissing his wife. “That’s why everyone air kisses when they wear hats,” Javits quipped, pointing out the practicalities of headwear in formal settings.
Javits also addressed speculation regarding the hat obscuring Melania’s eyes, suggesting that the angle of the cameras and the dark brim’s shadow contributed to that perception. “In reality, if you were standing there, you could clearly see her eyes,” he clarified.
With a background in the arts, Javits perceives the face as a canvas that can be dramatically enhanced by the right hat. He emphasized that just as a hairstyle can elevate a look, so too can a hat, which can play with proportions and balance depending on face shape.
“The boater is versatile and universally flattering,” he remarked, reminiscing about its popularity in the late ’80s and early ’90s. He has dedicated his craft to making hats that are lightweight, comfortable, and stylish—championing sun protection with a range of chic straw hats and visors.
Thanks to the enthusiasm surrounding “Melania’s hat,” Javits is now in the process of producing a commercially available version that will cater to a wider audience, already available for preorder.
While some designers have opted out of contributing to the First Lady’s wardrobe, Javits embraces the opportunity as a unique honor. In an Instagram post, he expressed, “It was my great honor and privilege to create the hat our First Lady, Melania Trump, wore for the inaugural swearing-in of our 47th President! Her grace and beauty transformed a simple hat into a ‘wow’ moment.”
“I guess I was the right choice at the right time,” he mused, pondering whether Melania’s influence would spark a resurgence in formal hat-wearing. “I hope so; it’s a gift to look your best,” he concluded.
Channaly Philipp contributed to this report.
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