Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau puts Canadian fashion in the spotlight on U.S. visit
Lauren O'Neil | CBC News | Posted: March 11, 2016 2:29 AM | Last Updated: March 11, 2016
What Sophie wore: PM's wife brings Canadian style to D.C.
Of everything Justin Trudeau is hoping to accomplish in Washington, D.C., this week, it's doubtful that "showcasing Canadian fashion" is very high on the list.
And yet, thanks to his wife (and new Michelle Obama bestie) Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau, the prime minister's presence in the U.S. capital has been doing just that — for better or for worse — since Wednesday, when his debut official visit began.
Many eyes were on the Trudeau family as they emerged from their plane at Andrews Air Force Base — no shortage of them watching for what "Canada's latest fashion icon" chose to wear for her journey.
Much to the delight of homegrown style supporters, Grégoire-Trudeau appeared on the (airport) runway in a custom-made pantsuit by Montreal-based designer DUY, earrings by Toronto jewelry designer Dean Davidson and nude heels from the Canadian footwear brand Aldo.
Later that evening, the Trudeaus attended a reception in Washington hosted by Canada 2020. The prime minister's wife once again highlighted her own country's fashion chops by wearing a floral jacket by the Toronto-based contemporary womenswear brand Ellie Mae.
Grammy award-winning Canadian R&B artist The Weeknd was also there.
Canadian style was in the spotlight once again Thursday morning when Prime Minister Trudeau and his wife joined U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, at an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House.
Grégoire-Trudeau thrilled fashion lovers with her vibrant red and fuscia dress, custom-printed with silk floral appliqués by Toronto-based Romanian-born designer Lucian Matis.
She accessorized the piece with pumps by Iranian-born Canadian designer Elle AyoubZadeh for her brand Zvelle and a simple red Aldo clutch.
And Grégoire-Trudeau wasn't the only one who went for Canadian chic.
Michelle, a fashion icon in her own right, chose to wear a green dress by Tanya Taylor, who was raised in Toronto but now resides in New York City.
Later, the duo spoke at an International Women's Day event for Let Girls Learn, a U.S. government initiative to "ensure adolescent girls get the education they deserve."
It was there that the U.S. president's wife introduced Grégoire-Trudeau as "my soulmate" and praised her as a funny, beautiful role model. She also spoke about Grégoire-Trudeau's role as a mother to three children, calling her youngest Trudeau child Hadrien's curly hair "delicious."
Their new friendship was put to the test rather quickly, however, when FLOTUS lost her balance as she walked off stage. Grégoire-Trudeau passed with flying colours by spinning around to catch her fellow fashionista and girls' education advocate.
On Thursday evening, both Grégoire-Trudeau and Michelle Obama arrived at the long-anticipated White House state dinner — the first for a Canadian prime minister in 19 years — wearing Canadian designs once again.
Grégoire-Trudeau chose another gown by Lucian Matis, thrilling the designer, who tweeted: "Sophie Trudeau wearing Lucian Matis twice in one day!!! <3"
Michelle, for her part, wore Jason Wu. The Taiwanese-Canadian fashion designer, now located in New York, also designed the outfits she wore to both of her husband's inauguration ceremonies.
See more photos from Trudeau's Washington visit in the gallery below, and check back here as we update this page with news of his wife's fashion choices.