First lady pays tribute to Australia in Scanlan Theodore dress

The world’s most famous first lady Melania Trump and Scott Morrison’s wife Jenny both opted to celebrate Australian designers at the White House this weekend.

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AUSTRALIAN designers were championed by several illustrious guests for the state dinner at the White House yesterday, with Melania Trump leading the charge.

The US First Lady practised sartorial diplomacy early in the day by donning a powder blue, balloon-sleeved fitted dress by popular Melbourne-based label Scanlan Theodore, also a favourite of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.

Images of the $800 dress were broadcast all around the world, with countless news agencies branding the dress Scanlan.

Melania Trump, wearing a Scanlan Theodore dress (second left) with President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his wife Jenny in Washington on Friday.

A glittering crowd of American and Australian luminaries attended the state dinner including Lachlan and Sarah Murdoch. Picture: AP

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s wife Jenny had contacted Carla Zampatti prior to leaving for the US, with the veteran designer organising a special fitting for her state dinner gown.

“I thought she looked wonderful and very happy, which is even more important,” Zampatti said.

“She wore our navy jumpsuit, which is a very simple garment, when she landed in the US. Then she wore our navy sequin velvet gown, with a navy satin sash that ties down the back (for the state dinner).

Curtis and Lindsay Stone were among the guests at the star-studded event.

Australian ambassador to the US Joe Hockey and Melissa Babbage arrive. Picture: Getty

“She wore it all beautifully. It is a great honour to have dressed her. I don’t know what this means for my brand. But we don’t do it for that. We do it because we want to make someone special feel good.”

Mrs Morrison had opted for a smart navy Ginger & Smart dress when arriving at the White House earlier in the day. Among the 173 guests who joined the Trumps and Morrisons for dinner were News Corp co-chairman and Fox Corporation executive chairman and chief executive officer, Lachlan Murdoch, and his wife Sarah (wearing go-to label Alex Perry), mining magnates Gina Rinehart and Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest, chef Curtis Stone and golfer Greg Norman.

President Donald Trump and wife Melania wearing Us designer J Mendel, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison and wife Jenny, wearing Carla Zampatti. Picture: AAP

Golfer Greg Norman, right, and wife Kirsten Kutner arrive to attend the state dinner under the stars in the White House rose garden. Picture: AP