Charity Fashion Gala Showcases Conservative Designer’s First Ladies Dress Collection

“I love the fashion sense of Melania Trump. I love the fashion sense of Michelle Obama. I love the idea that these iconic women did something for America, whether good or bad or influential.  I love all of them.” 

That’s what self-described gay Asian American celebrity fashion designer Andre Soriano told The Daily Signal about his new designs more than a month after the tiny town of Occoquan, Virginia, forced him to take down Trump-for-president signs from his storefront, Fox Business reported. 

Soriano is the designer of the iconic “Make America Great Again” gown that singer-songwriter Joy Villa wore at the 2017 Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, drawing considerable national attention, along with controversy and death threats, according to Fox Business.  

“As an American designer, you know, I designed for all people of humanity,” Soriano told The Daily Signal. “When I made a Trump dress, I felt like I was kind of, just like … pushed aside by half of Americans because of my support for President Trump.”

“And essentially, this is how I can weave the country together,” he continued. “I designed for Democrats, Republicans, pink, red, blue, and all feminists, and all women of this great nation and the world.”

Soriano says he doesn’t like being treated as an outcast by some due to his personal political beliefs. 

“I think, in the land of the free, we are allowed for freedom of artistic expression, regardless,” he said. “You know, that’s why we’re here in America … I believe in our Constitution … . That’s how I feel about it as an Asian American.”

Soriano starred in Hollywood’s fashion reality show “Styled to Rock,” executive produced by singer Robyn “Rihanna” Fenty. His work has also been featured in renowned fashion magazines, such as Italian Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Elle, and his designs have drawn praise from prominent celebrities such as Miley Cyrus, Courtney Love, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Macy Gray, according to GlitzandGlamour.org.

Soriano designed a collection called “FLOTUS,” honoring 25 of the first ladies of the United States. The collection includes the wives of presidents on both sides of the political aisle, not just Republicans or conservatives.

Sydney Walters models a dress inspired by former first lady Michelle Obama and designed by Soriano at the Nov. 22 gala in Fairfax, Virginia. (Afshin Amir/Afshin Photos) 

That collection was featured at Glitz and Glamour charity gala’s most recent event, partnering with beneficiaries We Will Survive Cancer and Children’s National Hospital. 

Glitz and Glamour is a nonprofit organization dedicated to making a difference and bringing hope to the less fortunate, according to one of its founders, Michelle Nguyen.

The three founders of Glitz and Glamour, from left: Mrs. DC America 2022 Gift Thongpia Hughes, Andre Soriano, and Michelle Nguyen pose at the gala. (Binh Le/BK Photography)

“We host events that bring people together to have fun, celebrate, and embrace glamour,” Nguyen told The Daily Signal. “But our true focus is supporting nonprofit organizations in maximizing their impact. It’s all about helping those in need.”

The first ladies featured in Soriano’s “FLOTUS” collection are Mary Lincoln, Francis Cleveland, Nancy Reagan, Lou Hoover, Edith Wilson, Pat Nixon, Michelle Obama, Lucretia Garfield, Florence Harding, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Rosalynn Carter, Eleanor Roosevelt, Lady Bird Johnson, Bess Truman, Grace Coolidge, Jackie Kennedy, Betty Ford, Mamie Eisenhower, Barbara Bush, Helen Taft, Edith Roosevelt, Lucy Hayes, Dolley Madison, Eliza Johnson, and Melania Trump.

A spokeswoman for Soriano explained that the absence of current first lady Jill Biden there was not intended as a slight.

“The event was put together so quickly, and the document that Andre was working off had only the first ladies up till Melania 2020, so it wasn’t showing Jill.  The document had pictures of all the previous first ladies in their iconic dresses so Andre could create a modern version of the dresses,” the spokeswoman told The Daily Signal. “Jill also has great fashion. It wasn’t left out intentionally, actually.” 

Lucy Denkes models a dress inspired by former first lady Mary Lincoln at the charity gala. (Afshin Amir/Afshin Photos) 

Emily Abrom models a dress inspired by former first lady Nancy Reagan at the Nov. 22 event. (Sarosh Mir/Sarosh Photography)  

Alexandra Shaye models a dress inspired by former first lady Frances Cleveland at the Glitz and Glamour event. (Sarosh Mir/Sarosh Photography)  

“Each first lady represents a cause and a purpose, and all of them did something great in our great nation,” Soriano said. “For instance, … Dolley Madison brought glamour to the White House. All of these women are very important. That’s why I use this as a platform, because they’re very iconic.”

Kanruthai “Muk” Thasabu of Thailand, a Miss Universe third runner-up, models a dress inspired by former—and soon to be again—first lady Melania Trump at the gala. (Sarosh Mir/Sarosh Photography)  

Soriano said that his next collection will be for men and will be called “The American Dream.” He says it was inspired by, among others, tech giants Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, and President-elect Donald Trump.

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