Melania Trump will auction the white, iconic hat that she wore to her husband’s official visit by a foreign Head of State as part of a $250,000 commemorative sale.
On Tuesday, 51-year old former First Lady, announced that her ‘Head Of State’ auction would be launched. This was just weeks after she sold her first ever non-fungible token.
Along with the white hat Melania wore to welcome French President Emmanuel Macron to the White House, April 2018, there is also a Coulon watercolor painting depicting the ex-First Lady in the bright accessory.
All three items included in the auction – which opens on January 11 with a starting bid of $250,000, or 1415.86 Solana (SOL), a form of cryptocurrency – are signed by Melania, while both versions of her portrait also featuring the artist’s autograph.
Melania Trump will auction off her wide-brimmed, white wide-brimmed hat that she wore in April 2018, when Donald Trump hosted the first State Visit to the White House.
As part of the auction which begins at $250,000, the 51-year old is selling both a photograph of her wearing the hat and a digital version of the painting.
Non-fungible tokens – or NFTs – are unique and non-interchangeable units of data stored on a digital ledger or blockchains, the same technology behind cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. These tokens have seen a lot of popularity lately, particularly with the viral hits Dogecoin (and Bitcoin)
Melania’s digital artwork and watercolor portrait were created by Marc-Antoine Coulon, a French artist who also painted Melania last month’s first NFT.
Melania, who announced the auction through her office, reminisced about the importance of the Macrons’ visit at the White House and described the “great consideration” that was put into her outfit for the occasion. She paired the broad-brimmed hat she wore with a Michael Kors white skirt suit.
‘Mrs. Trump understood the importance of this moment in the nation’s history and put great effort into planning it, according to a statement she posted on her website.
‘With a nod to French culture, Mrs. Trump commissioned French-American designer, Hervé Pierre, to create the one-of-a-kind, white hat.
‘Mr. Pierre used the same fabric as Mrs. Trump’s white Michael Kors suit, and constructed the piece in New York City. Mrs. Trump wore a pair of Christian Louboutin stilettos in blue denim, white trim and a red sole, symbolic of her country’s flag.
‘Mrs. Trump imagined a strong and modern hat that would match the Michael Kors suit.
The hat was designed by milliner Hervé Pierre with input from Melania, who ‘envisioned a very strong, modern’ piece with a ‘large brim’ to match the Michael Kors suit she wore for the visit
Melania tweeted about the launch of her auction Tuesday. Her followers were directed to view the collection at her website.
‘The elegant hat, without ornate decoration, spoke loudly to Mrs. Trump’s admiration for millinery design and superior craftsmanship. The hat, which is unique in its own right, was made from the same crepe fabric as the suit and was crafted in New York City.
Melania announced Melania’s latest auction launch less than a month ago when she sold her first ever NFT. This was a digital watercolor painting that depicted her eyes.
She stated that she had a vision to inspire, strengthen and encourage others.
The digital painting, titled ‘Melania’s Vision, was originally valued at $185. However, Melania and Coulon signed it.
Similar to her first NFT sale, some funds will be donated by this auction to foster kids to give them ‘access technology education and computer science’.
Melania declared her intentions to sell more items after the launch of NFT. She stated that her office would be selling a combination of three elements, including a digital art piece, a printed artwork and an historical accessory.
Melania’s public image has been low in the year following her husband’s departure from the White House. However, she was seen at Mar-a-Lago’s New Year’s Eve celebration with Trump
This auction launches just weeks after Melania had put up her first NFT art for sale, a digital watercolor portrait featuring her eyes. It came with an audio message.
Melania, who has been relatively quiet in the past year after former President Trump left the White House has chosen to avoid the spotlight and has preferred to keep her husband out of the limelight. However, she has made regular appearances at rallies and events.
In recent months however, former First Lady, has made several moves back in the spotlight. She launched her NFT gallery, and she appeared at some public events including Mar-a-Lago’s New Year’s Eve celebration.
Melania spoke to Breitbart News, a conservative news outlet, about her NFT venture’s launch last month. She explained that it was a part of her vision since Trump’s departure.
“My NFT gallery MelaniaTrump.com utilizes the decentralized nature Blockchain Technology and allows for direct connections to people all over the globe,” she explained.
“My passion for the arts shows in Melania’s Vision my first NFT. I co-created it with Marc-Antoine Coulon. NFT sales will go to the children of foster families. Fostering the Future is my Be Best initiative. It will offer students technology skills that prepare them to enter the workforce. It is my pleasure to help America’s next generation entrepreneurs.