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Melania Trump Donates Inaugural Ball Gown to Smithsonian (photos)

By Jeff Malet • October 23, 2017 0 1531

First lady Melania Trump poses next to the gown in its display case in the center of the museum’s popular exhibition “The First Ladies.” Photo by Jeff Malet.

First lady Melania Trump donated her inaugural ball gown to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in a special ceremony on Friday, Oct. 20, 2017, in Washington, D.C. It will be displayed in the center of the museum’s popular exhibition “The First Ladies.”

Designed by Hervé Pierre in collaboration with the first lady, the gown is a vanilla silk crepe off-the-shoulder gown with a slit skirt, ruffled accent trim from neckline to hem and a claret ribbon around the waist.

The exhibition features more than two dozen gowns from the Smithsonian’s almost 100-year-old First Ladies Collection, including those worn by Frances Cleveland, Lou Hoover, Jacqueline Kennedy, Lady Bird Johnson, Laura Bush and Michelle Obama.

Joining Melania Trump on the podium were Secretary of the Smithsonian David Skorton and National Museum of American History Director John Gray. Pierre, the French-born dress designer, was also present at the ceremony.

The National Museum of American History is located on Constitution Avenue NW between 12th and 14th Streets on the National Mall. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily except Dec. 25. Admission is free.

View Jeff Malet’s photos from the gown-donation ceremony by clicking on the photo icons below.

: The First Lady views the gown in its display case in the center of the museum’s popular exhibition “The First Ladies,” with designer Herve Pierre. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: In the photo, Melania Trump was joined on stage by the museum’s director, John Gray (center), and the Secretary of the Smithsonian David Skorton (right) (photo by Jeff Malet)

: (photo by Jeff Malet)

: Mrs. Trump’s dress is a vanilla silk crepe off-the-shoulder gown with a slit skirt, ruffled accent trim from neckline to hem and a claret ribbon around the waist designed by Herve Pierre in collaboration with Mrs. Trump. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: In the photo, Melania Trump is flanked by the museum’s director, John Gray (left), and the Secretary of the Smithsonian David Skorton. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: First Lady Melania Trump poses with French-born designer Herve Pierre and his creation. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: In the photo, Melania Trump is introduced by Secretary of the Smithsonian David Skorton. John Gray, Director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History is seated on the stage with the First Lady. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: First Lady Melania Trump is introduced by Secretary of the Smithsonian David Skorton. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: In photo (left to right), John Gray, the museum’s director; Herve Pierre; Melania Trump; and the Secretary of the Smithsonian David Skorton. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: First lady Melania Trump poses next to the gown in its display case in the center of the museum’s popular exhibition “The First Ladies.” Photo by Jeff Malet.