Ivanka Trump takes front-row seat to welcome Xi in dress by Chinese designer Guo Pei

Ivanka Trump made a notable appearance at the White House reception for Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, donning a dress crafted by renowned Chinese fashion designer Guo Pei. The 59-year-old Trump and her 15-year-old daughter Arabella Kushner were prominently seated alongside Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife Usha Vance, drawing attention due to the placement of other cabinet members further back.

The striking blue gown and jacket with silver embroidery, worn by Ivanka, were designed by Guo, while her daughter opted for a white belted midi dress by London-based brand Self-Portrait.

The seating arrangement and the choice of a Beijing-based designer reflected the Trump family's personal and commercial connections with China. During her father Donald Trump's presidency, Ivanka served as an unpaid adviser, acting as a crucial link for Chinese officials in Washington. When Xi and his wife Peng visited the United States in April 2017, Ivanka's daughter Arabella performed the traditional Chinese ballad "Mo Li Hua" and recited Tang dynasty poetry in Chinese.

Later that year, during a visit to Beijing, President Trump presented Xi with private video recordings of his granddaughter addressing the Chinese leader and his wife as "Grandpa Xi" and "Grandma Peng". In 2018, during her father's presidency, Ivanka secured multiple trademark approvals in China, sparking discussions about potential conflicts of interest, covering fashion, lifestyle goods, and services such as voting machines and nursing homes.

She subsequently closed her business in mid-2018, focusing on her government role. In 2022, Ivanka announced she would step away from politics, emphasizing her commitment to government work. The dress Ivanka chose for Thursday's ceremony held symbolic significance, as the Guo Pei designer is famous for creating a dramatic yellow embroidered cape with fur trim worn by pop star Rihanna at the 2015 Met Gala, a piece that took two years and over 50,000 hours to complete.

Ivanka's selection of Guo's design mirrored First Lady Peng's efforts to promote Chinese designers and traditional culture through her fashion choices.