Remembering Ivana Trump, A Stylish Immigrant Who Found A Name In New York’s Best Known Dressers
Last night, the internet woke up to the demise of Ivana Trump, fashion mogul, Donald Trump’s first wife and mother of his three eldest children. Breaking the news, the former US President said in a statement as he wrote, “Ivana Trump passed away at her home in New York City. She was a wonderful, beautiful, and amazing woman, who led a great and inspirational life.”
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While the reason behind the 73-year-old businesswoman’s death still remains unknown, her family including her younger son–Eric Trump wrote a heartfelt note for his mother. A celebrated leader in the world of business, a model and an accomplished designer, Ivana Trump was born to Milos, an engineer and a telephone operator–Marie in former communist-ruled Czechoslovakia, Central Europe. Ivana’s first amongst four marriages was to Austrian skier Alfred Winklmayr that ended in two years, followed by which she shifted to Montreal, for a fresh start in the world of modelling.
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Her career as a model led her to meet Donald Trump in 1976, who was then in the early years of building his business. The two got married in 1977 and welcomed their children–Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric. Both Trump and Ivana became significant members of the United States’ social setup, with the latter’s sartorial taste, and signature bouffant hair being a trendsetter.
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Apart from serving as the CEO and president of Donald Trump’s Castle Casino Resort, and the president of Manhattan’s Plaza hotel ( the first woman to hold that title in 1988), Ivana was on her way to building her path in the world of fashion.
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An accomplished writer soon turned into a celebrated style icon with her contribution to clothing and jewellery design. She further gave birth to House of Ivana, which dealt with a range of fragrances, and clothing and cosmetics label–Ivana Haute Couture, and further branched out to homeware.
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The glamorous immigrant soon became a powerful New Yorker, with her controversial statements, and spectacular outings in the best of Versace and Valentino. From making it to the front rows of prestigious fashion weeks to redefining socialite dressing in the early 80s, Ivana shared a close bond with fashion’s best-known names like– Donatella Versace, Thierry Mugler, and Christian Dior, amongst others. She was known for her immaculate pairings, a big hair mood fed by blonde honeycomb, and scintillating jewellery. Ivana’s sartorial taste built its very own charm in the crowd-funded trends of the 1980s.
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Amongst her penchant for bright prints and pop coloured nails, her love for luxury fabrics made her a keeper of every sheen silhouette, that came cut in velvet, silk and leather. During her happy marriage with Donald, Ivana’s love for sequins, statement tulles and dramatic ruched gowns was a fairly visible affair.
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As her position in former husband and US President’s popular business, rose to the top, the idea of power dressing arrived at her doorstep. Sparkle-laden gowns, soon transformed into highlighter pink pantsuits, paired with polka shirts, plaid skirts, and blazer dresses. With shoulders always headlined by colourful appliqué and ruffled constructions, she showcased the power she owned, through every stitch of her garment. Diamonds of the highest quality remained her constant through pairings, that often came with Versace’s heritage Barocco print.
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Even after her separation from Donald Trump in the year 1992, Ivana chose to keep his surname and remained an influential figure in his life, as she went on to support his presidential candidacy. Her much-talked-about cameo in the 1996 film The First Wives Club, contributed to the popularity of her famous advice to women seeking revenge from their husbands, who left them for a younger woman, as she noted“Ladies you have to be strong and independent.”
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Ivana, as remembered by her daughter Ivanka was charming, brilliant, and wickedly funny.
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May her soul rest in peace.
