An iconic piece of fashion history, Melania Trump's lavish Christian Dior wedding dress, has hit the online market on eBay. Renowned designer John Galliano crafted the gown, which Melania Trump originally wore for her opulent wedding to Donald Trump in 2005.
According to the Daily Mail, the dress, purchased at a staggering $187,000, is now being offered at a reduced price of $45,000 on eBay.
Melania Trump, the former first lady of the United States, chose a Christian Dior gown for her nuptials that remained a point of fascination in fashion circles. The gown's listing on eBay on January 21, 2025, captured immediate attention, spearheaded by a report from Liana Satenstein via her Substack newsletter, "Neverworns."
The sale came into the limelight when Patricia Torvald, a friend of Liana, was browsing eBay for vintage '80s Dior dresses and stumbled upon the listing. According to the eBay seller, they directly acquired the garment from Melania Trump in 2010 through a mutual friend for $70,000.
The gown stands out not only for its original design but also for the alterations that have enhanced its allure. Designers crafted it from 300 duchesse satin, featuring a figure-hugging mermaid skirt. Over the years, experts have made significant modifications, adding layers of satin, enhancing intricate embroidery, and adjusting the fit to accommodate larger body measurements.
The seller described these modifications, stating, "A new layer of fabric was added to the back of the dress and straps since my chest is much bigger than Melania’s." Tailors customized these alterations to suit a new owner while preserving the dress’s original charm.
Additionally, experts adjusted the dress size from Melania’s original 0-2 to a 4-6, while maintaining the option to revert it to its initial size. This flexibility could attract a wider range of potential buyers.
One of the dress's most breathtaking features is its 13-foot train, meticulously hand-embroidered with Swarovski crystals. The craftsmanship took approximately 550 hours to complete, showcasing the detailed work involved in its creation.
Despite its age and fame, the gown has been worn only twice, maintaining its pristine condition. This aspect of the dress underscores its value as both a collectible and a piece of wearable art.
The dress's substantial weight, around 60 pounds, hints at the quality and volume of material used, including the extensive use of crystals and satin.
Despite the buzz around the sale, the narrative takes a twist. Women's Wear Daily reports that Melania’s authentic gown remains securely stored at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. This revelation has sparked discussions about the authenticity of the dress listed on eBay.
This detail adds intrigue to the sale, as it raises questions about the dress's origins and whether it is truly the one Melania Trump originally wore at her wedding. Given its public prominence and detailed coverage in Vogue’s 14-page story, the uncertainty surrounding the dress deepens.
In February 2005, Melania Trump showcased this couture piece on the cover of Vogue, wearing the elaborate 16-foot-long veil that accompanied the gown. This high-profile exposure added to the dress's legendary status among fashion and political circles alike.
As the story of this gown sale unfolds, enthusiasts and collectors remain keen to witness the outcome—whether this iconic piece of fashion and political history will find a new owner on eBay and whether further details about its provenance will emerge.
