First Lady Melania Trump made a dramatic entrance wearing a pale yellow J. Mendel gown at tonight’s black-tie dinner at Blenheim Palace. The evening host British Prime Minister Theresa May also appeared to take the dress code seriously, wearing a sleeveless red gown with a noticeably high slit. Her husband, Philip, like President Trump, kept things basic in a traditional tuxedo. A different version of FLOTUS’ pleated dress was available in J. Mendel’s Madison Avenue store this spring in another shade. At the request of the First Lady’s stylist Herve Pierre, the label’s designer Gilles Mendel created one especially for tonight’s dinner at the country estate that was Winston Churchill’s birthplace. The choice of pale yellow, a favorite color of Queen Elizabeth II, was intentional and was meant to “pay homage” to HRH, according to Pierre. The Trumps, joined by the Mays, ascended the red-carpeted steps of Blenheim Palace to two-folded fanfare — protests outside the palace and a military ceremony featuring a performance of the “Liberty Fanfare” by bands of the Scots, Irish and Welsh guards. A three-course meal will be served to guests, who include a number of prominent British business leaders. After the dinner, the Trumps will travel to the U.S. ambassador’s official residence, Winfield House in London’s Regent’s Park, where they will spend the night. Advertisement US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are welcomed at Blenheim Palace by Britain Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband Philip May. (Vianney Le Caer / REX / Shutterstock ) The dress was agreed upon and paid for earlier this spring, Pierre said. He first met Mendel’s parents when, as a recent graduate in the Eighties, he sold them sketches in Paris. The dress was selected purely because it was right for the occasion — a challenge given the industry’s current over-the–topness, he said. The international spotlight comes at an unfortunate time for J. Mendel, which filed for bankruptcy late last month after facing multiple lawsuits for unpaid bills. Traveling in Europe, Mendel declined comment Thursday via e-mail. Earlier in the day FLOTUS touched down in the U.K. wearing a tan fitted cap-sleeved dress with a thin burnt-orange belt from British designer Roland Mouret. Whenever possible, the First Lady’s fashion choices are meant to acknowledge the country she is visiting or an American designer, Pierre said. For Wednesday’s concert in Brussels for the spouses of NATO leaders, Trump wore a sleeveless navy Calvin Klein 205W39NYC dress from the first collection by Raf Simons, a Belgian-born, New York-based designer. In the evening, she opted for a sleeveless white embroidered tulle Elie Saab dress for a dinner with her NATO counterparts. More often than not including Wednesday, her stilettos are Christian Louboutin. While the President took it upon himself to praise his NATO efforts by setting up an unscheduled press conference in Brussels on Thursday morning, the First Lady was more diplomatic about her experience. In a statement released by the First Lady’s Office Thursday, FLOTUS said, “I enjoyed the company of the many NATO spouses — it was an opportunity for us to come together in an exchange of ideas, and appreciate the unique cultural traits of Belgium.”<doc-sep>The first lady made a divine arrival for dinner at Blenheim Palace in London today. Dressed like a Grecian goddess, Melania Trump looked elegant in an airy, yellow gown by J. Mendel that was detailed with ruched panels that wrapped around the bodice. The off-the-shoulder silhouette gave way to floor-length caped sleeves. Though hard to spot, a pair of matching pointy pumps peeped from under the skirt. The 47-year-old accompanied her husband, President Donald Trump, and greeted their host, Prime Minister Theresa May. The British leader looked stylish in a floor-length red dress with matching kitten heels. Melania Trump wears a J Mendel dress. CREDIT: Rex Shutterstock Melania started the day showing off her runway-ready figure in a taupe form-fitting mididress by Roland Mouret that cut just below the knee. She completed the look with matching pumps by Christian Louboutin. The president will have a three-day working visit in the United Kingdom followed by the last destination on his European tour, Helsinki, Finland. The trip to London comes after a two-day summit in Brussels that began on Tuesday. L-R: Melania Trump, President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May. CREDIT: Rex Shutterstock Click through the gallery for more images of Melania Trump on her European tour. Want more? Melania Trump’s 4th of July Outfit Comes With a Stylish History Lesson Melania Trump Styles a Calvin Klein Frock With White Louboutin Pumps in Belgium Visit Melania Trump Battles the Windy Day in Belgium in Soaring 5-Inch Heels<doc-sep>
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump touched down in England on Thursday for an official state visit with Prime Minister Theresa May. And for a dinner that evening, Melania opted for a regal look—one that was quite a departure from her more scrutinized fashion choices of late. The First Lady arrived at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, England, for the black-tie state dinner wearing a yellow, floor-length gown designed by J.Mendel. It featured an off-the-shoulder neckline and a sweeping chiffon skirt—details that aligned with the dinner palatial setting. Here's a closer look. We bring you the trends. You make them your own. Sign up for our daily newsletter to find the best fashion for YOU. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the state dinner in England BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI From the back, the J. Mendel style featured capelike sleeves that draped from her shoulders. Beauty-wise, she kept it simple with loose curls. Melania Trump ascends the stairs at Blenheim Palace. Bloomberg According to Trump's stylist, Pierre Hervé, the color of the First Lady's gown was a subtle nod to Queen Elizabeth II: In a statement to WWD, he explained that they purposefully chose pale yellow for the custom design because it's one of HRH's favorite colors, and they wanted to “pay homage” during the state visit. Hervé also noted that the dress was created (and paid for) in the spring. Melania Trump at the state dinner with President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Theresa May Stefan Rousseau - PA Images Gilles Mendel, the designer behind J. Mendel, dressed former First Lady Michelle Obama for state dinners, as well, and has an extensive celebrity record from red-carpet appearances. Melania Trump's fashion choices have been the subject of conversation (and controversy) this summer, but with last night's look, like she did with her Fourth of July Ralph Lauren dress, the First Lady kept the focus on dressing for the occasion. Related Stories: Melania Trump Wore a Red, White, and Blue Ralph Lauren Dress for the Fourth of July When You're the First Lady, a Jacket Isn't Ever 'Just a Jacket' A History of Melania Trump's Most Talked-About Fashion Moments