Following pressure from anti-Trump activists, including Shannon Coulter’s Grab Your Wallet, in February 2017, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom started removing all Ivanka Trump’s eponymous fashion brand products from their websites.
Activists have targeted the fashion collection of Donald Trump’s daughter since his controversial presidential campaign. The boycott movement gained traction after a tape surfaced of the 45th President of the United States boasting about groping women.
Ivanka Trump promoting her shoe line at Nordstrom Tysons Corner Center in McLean, Virginia, on March 24, 2011 (Credit: WENN / Judy Eddy / Mark Wilkins)
The Trump Administration’s Defense of Ivanka’s Brand
In response, President Donald Trump tweeted, “My daughter Ivanka has been treated so unfairly by @Nordstrom. She is a great person — always pushing me to do the right thing! Terrible!”
My daughter Ivanka has been treated so unfairly by @Nordstrom. She is a great person — always pushing me to do the right thing! Terrible!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 8, 2017
White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer defended the president’s remarks, asserting that Trump should be able to defend his family: “For people to take out their concerns about his actions or his executive orders on members of his family, he has every right to stand up for his family and applaud their businesses activities, their success.”
Ivanka Trump shows how to achieve a polished and elegant look by pairing a classic black dress with sleek black pumps and a structured handbag for a timeless ensemble
Ivanka Trump’s Vision for Her Shoe Line
While Ivanka Trump’s fashion brand often came under fire for various reasons, she maintained a clear vision for her shoe line. In an interview, she admitted, “The reality is I have a closet full of shoes that I don’t wear because they are not comfortable, and I am not going to be hobbling between meetings.”
Her focus on practicality resonated with busy professionals, but the brand ultimately struggled to cater to a broader audience. Critics highlighted issues with accessibility, pricing, and designs that didn’t reflect the needs of most American women. These factors, combined with political boycotts, contributed to the brand’s challenges.
Criticism and Challenges Faced by Ivanka Trump’s Brand
Officially, the retailers claim to have dropped the brand due to sagging sales. “Based on the brand’s performance, we’ve decided not to buy it for this season,” a Nordstrom spokesperson said.
“We’ve said all along we make buying decisions based on performance. We’ve got thousands of brands — more than 2,000 offered on the site alone. Each year we cut about 10% and refresh our assortment with the same amount.” However, due to the conspicuous timing and sudden removal of products, the activists behind #GrabYourWallet believe their campaign has had an impact.
Co-founder Shannon Coulter celebrated on Twitter, saying: “Big news everyone. You did this. I am in awe #GrabYourWallet.”
Ivanka Trump shoes showcased at the 2011 MAGIC Trade Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, on February 15, 2011
The End of Ivanka Trump’s Fashion Brand
In July 2018, Ivanka Trump announced the closure of her eponymous fashion brand to focus on her role as a senior White House adviser. She stated, “After 17 months in Washington, I do not know when or if I will ever return to the business.”
Despite these challenges, Abigail Klem, who took over as president of the company when Trump stepped down from day-to-day operations in 2017, stated that the brand had seen strong sales since its inception.
The decision to close the brand was seen as a move to avoid potential conflicts of interest and ethical concerns arising from her dual roles in business and government.
The Lasting Legacy of Ivanka Trump’s Fashion Line
The brand’s closure marked the end of a venture that had been both a business endeavor and a source of controversy during her father’s presidency. According to NBC News, Ivanka Trump’s fashion brand faced significant challenges in a competitive market of business casual apparel. Competing with established names like Steve Madden, Jessica Simpson, Banana Republic, and J. Crew, her designs were criticized as overpriced, poorly constructed, and unflattering for anyone who did not share her body type.
A 2017 analysis highlighted that the brand failed to cater to most American women, with more than two-thirds wearing a size 14 or larger. Additionally, the market for $100 dresses was small, as many Americans struggled financially, with only 39 percent able to cover a $1,000 emergency expense. These issues, consumer boycotts, and political backlash contributed to the brand’s difficulties.
Explore More About Ivanka Trump’s Fashion Journey
For readers interested in delving deeper into Ivanka Trump’s fashion journey and her influence on style trends, Your Next Shoes offers a variety of articles that provide further insights. Explore Ivanka’s style evolution and the discussions surrounding her appearance in our piece on her transformation over the years.
Additionally, discover how Ivanka effortlessly combines elegance and comfort by pairing a marigold yellow dress with white sneakers, showcasing her versatile fashion sense.
For a glimpse into her casual chic moments, read about Ivanka and Jared Kushner’s sporty outing in Mizuno shoes during a family trip in Surfside, Florida. These articles provide a comprehensive look at Ivanka Trump’s fashion choices and their impact on contemporary style.