WASHINGTON, DC — First lady Melania Trump put a bow on this historic state dinner.
Melania stunned in a white bow blouse and sleek black tuxedo-inspired pants as she and President Trump hosted Thursday night’s lavish White House state dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The stylish peony-motif brocade Dolce & Gabbana pants, bow-adorned Saint Laurent cotton poplin blouse, black silk Dolce & Gabbana cummerbund and sky-high black Christian Louboutin heels she wore to welcome Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan — took the internet by storm.
The first lady’s simple outfit had a more complex message — and it wasn’t that she’s the one who wears pants in the White House.
In choosing pants with a subtle peony pattern, Melania Trump was paying tribute to the “King of Flowers,” as the peony is known in Chinese culture. It symbolizes wealth, nobility, prosperity and romantic beauty.
The Chinese consider the peony the embodiment of feminine charm and perfection.
The first lady has been on a menswear-inspired kick as of late. She wore a black Alexander McQueen military-style suit to the official welcoming ceremony for the Chinese first couple Thursday morning.
She also donned a Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo suit for her official White House portrait last year.
For her part, Madame Peng Liyuan wore a deep red gown with a black clutch with a gold clasp for the state dinner.
The two women appeared to get on well when they visited the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art.
They even shared a whisper and a smile as they listened to a group of students from the Hope Chinese School — dressed in white with sparkling blue vests — serenade them with English and Chinese songs.
Peng, who was a famous singer in China before she married Xi, bopped her head and sang along. The two women also saw the famous Peacock Room in the museum, created by James McNeill Whistler.
At the state dinner, the two first couples were joined by Apple’s Tim Cook, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and his wife Lori, and Advanced Micro Devices CEO Dr. Lisa Su and her husband Daniel Lin at the head table.
Melania Trump personally oversaw all the dinner details, down to the brilliant red tablecloths, centerpieces of dahlias and ranunculus and the seafood-heavy menu.
As her husband led the dinner in a toast, she turned to President Xi and clinked glasses, celebrating her successful night.
