There’s no denying that the Trump family has been the target of a lot of scrutiny in recent years. However, Ivanka Trump has been one of the biggest fashion icons in America since she was a teenager. You may know Ivanka as a politician and working mom, but she’s also been a runway model, Met Gala attendee, and even owner of her very own fashion and jewelry line.
At The Skinny Confidential, we’re big fans of Ivanka’s empowering, authentic, and purposeful take on life. That’s why Michael and Lauryn interviewed her on The Him & Her Show! They discussed the Trump legacy, staying grounded, why she decided to step back from politics, and so much more. Watch the full episode here:
If you listened to Ivanka Trump’s episode with TSC and wanted to know more about her fashion line, you’ve come to the right place. We’re dedicating this post to explaining the history behind the brand—trust us, it’s interesting stuff.
History of Ivanka Trump’s Fashion Line: Rise, Fall, And Legacy
From her early days on the runway to power dressing under the paparazzi’s lens, Ivanka Trump has long been a style inspiration for fashion-forward women everywhere. We’d gladly take fashion, beauty, and wellness tips from her any day!
In fact, Ivanka shares our passion for skincare and sun protection—something the TSC community is already very passionate about. (Check out passion for skincare and sun protection if you haven’t yet!). Needless to say, if Ivanka had a brand today, we’d be first in line. Although her fashion business closed in 2018, here’s what you should know about it:
What Is Ivanka Trump’s Fashion Brand All About?
Ivanka Trump’s fashion company was all about chic and versatile pieces for the modern working woman at an affordable price. Under her Ivanka Trump Clothing label, she offered everything from work-ready dresses to polished powersuits. But there’s more! She also had high-quality accessories under her Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry line. The entire brand was built around one idea: combining style and function to create practical, high-end workwear.
What Happened To Ivanka Trump’s Fashion Line?
The brand launched with huge success.
Ivanka launched her clothing line in 2014, and it was an instant hit. Sales quickly reached over $100 million, according to The Wall Street Journal. With hard work, Ivanka was able to build a successful brand, business, and platform for the working woman.
Ivanka’s White House role restricted its growth.
During President Trump’s first term, Ivanka was honored with the role of Senior Advisor. (Her husband, Jared Kushner, was also appointed to the same position.) This formal role at the White House came with many responsibilities, so Ivanka appointed Abigail Klem as president of the Ivanka Trump brand. This allowed Ivanka to step back from day-to-day operations to focus on public service.
However, Ivanka’s busy schedule wasn’t the only factor distancing her from the business. The United States has strict ethics rules regarding politicians and brand endorsements. (Which is why Kellyanne Conway famously faced criticism for promoting Ivanka’s clothing line).
But, much more came from this than expected. Ivanka wore a bracelet from her own brand on 60 Minutes, and her company sent out a promo email the next day. The email sparked major backlash, but the brand quickly clarified the move—”blaming” a well-intentioned marketing employee that was simply just navigating post-election changes. (And yes, “blaming” is in quotes for a reason. Contrary to public opinion at the time, the brand wasn’t pointing fingers—it was standing in solidarity.) Nonetheless, as you probably expected, these regulations limited Ivanka’s ability to actively manage or promote her brand. The public profile she’d built to fuel her brand was suddenly off-limits!
You can hear Ivanka talk more about navigating ethics and her transition from business to government in the episode. It sounds frustrating, to say the least.
Customers protested the brand over politics.
If the ethics challenges weren’t enough, Ivanka Trump’s clothing line also faced protests because of its close ties to the Trump Organization and administration. Customers who opposed President Trump’s presidency and Ivanka’s White House role boycotted her brand as a result. Additionally, many critics continued to question the ethics of maintaining a personal business while serving in public office.
Retailers dropped it as sales declined.
Naturally, sales declined after Trump took office and Ivanka separated from the company. As the sales dropped and controversy swirled, many retailers dropped all Ivanka Trump products. It was the final nail in the coffin to of this previously successful brand.
Ivanka shut it down in July 2018.
In July 2018, Ivanka Trump decided to shut down her fashion business, including her flagship store in Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in New York City. Despite the popularity of her branded products, Ivanka said upon closing:“After 17 months in Washington, I do not know when or if I will ever return to the business, but I do know that my focus for the foreseeable future will be the work I am doing here in Washington, so making this decision now is the only fair outcome for my team and partners.”
She hasn’t ruled out a future return to fashion.
Despite the closure, Ivanka hasn’t sold any of her trademarks or given up hope on relaunching again someday. Though she has stated no plans to relaunch the brand, we look forward to seeing what she does next. If Ivanka Trump announces a return to the fashion industry, you’ll all be the first to know!
If you’re curious about what this icon is doing now, read this post: Where is Ivanka Trump Today?
Though Ivanka’s fashion line didn’t last long, her dedication to authenticity is eternal.
Some say Ivanka’s clothing line failed, but that’s not really true. And, even if it did, failure is a crucial step to success. Ivanka closed her business to focus more on her roles as a public servant and mom, which is totally honorable and understandable.
We just hope she can pick up the momtrepreneur life again soon, because we love how her endeavors consistently build up women and inspire ambition. It’s never just a brand, it’s a mission!