Melania Does Paris

Melania Trump may be an American in Paris, but she’s taking the cultural diplomacy part of the quick trip serious, as evidenced by her travel wardrobe.

Walking off Air Force One early Thursday, it was obvious her bright red Dior skirt suit was a nod to the country and one of their most famous exports: fashion. And it’s equally obvious that Trump has been keeping up with her fashion history.

Her tailored jacket and A-line skirt resemble Christian Dior’s famous “New Look,” a revolutionary style that the late designer and founder of the fashion house invented after WWII. Trump’s cinched-waist jacket is a modern take on the Bar Jacket, one of the famous pieces from the 1947 collection that launched the look. At the time, before bandage dresses and when women wouldn’t dare to go without a slip, the garment’s form-fitted style that followed the curves of a woman’s body was astoundingly nuveaux.

Her stylist, Hervé Pierre, who designed her inaugural gown, put a lot of thought into the look, according to WWD. The French designer earned his citizenship last year, and took the challenge of this trip seriously.