What Did Nikki Haley Wear at the RNC?

Former United Nations ambassador and past presidential candidate Nikki Haley has no hesitation in highlighting fashion within political realms. Her appearance at Tuesday night’s Republican National Convention was a testament to her sartorial choices.

While some analysts and voters focused on Haley’s comments endorsing former president Donald Trump in Milwaukee — and her turnaround from previous criticism as a former opponent — many had one burning question: “What is she wearing?”

In lieu of the conventional business attire or standard styles often seen on key speakers at political events, Haley stood out in a pale blue Teri Jon floral outfit. According to Chaney Denton, a representative for Haley, Teri Jon’s founder Rickie Freeman is among Haley’s favored designers.

Back in 2011, Haley donned one of Freeman’s creations during her first gubernatorial inauguration in South Carolina. Denton explained, “As the youngest governor in America at that time, and the first female minority governor in the country, Nikki wanted to look both feminine and strong.” Though Haley identifies as the youngest female minority governor, she shares this distinction with Susana Martinez of New Mexico, who was elected the same year and sworn in 11 days before Haley.

“Since then, she’s worn Rickie’s designs at various professional events including sessions at the UN Security Council and on presidential debate stages,” Denton mentioned.

“Her aim last night was to help unify the party and not project the image of a candidate,” Denton added.

Haley wasn’t the sole noteworthy figure to choose blue over the traditional Republican red. Lara Trump, daughter-in-law of the presumptive nominee and the RNC’s co-chair, wore a sleeveless royal blue Chiara Boni La Petite Robe dress for her speech on Monday night at Fiserv Forum. The former “Inside Edition” producer is an admirer of the brand and has previously attended a Chiara Boni New York Fashion Week show.

At 52, Haley has also collaborated with Freeman to design custom pieces, including the strapless, off-white dress she wore to her daughter Rena’s wedding last spring at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort.

Haley has never shied away from expressing her fashion sense openly. During a presidential debate, she notably responded to her former opponent Vivek Ramaswamy’s comment about her three-inch heels by saying, “I’d first like to say, they’re five-inch heels, and I don’t wear ’em unless you can run in ’em.” She added with a smile, “The second thing I will say is: I wear heels. They’re not for a fashion statement; they’re for ammunition.”

Teri Jon, based in New York City’s Garment District, is sold at Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s, and other major retailers. Rickie Freeman, the founder, grew up abroad and spent her after-school time watching her tailor father fit and sew men’s suits. Relocating to New York at the age of 17, she attended the Fashion Institute of Technology. After earning her diploma, she entered the fashion industry in 1974 with stints at Evan Picone and Elie Tahari before establishing Teri Jon. The brand’s offerings range from daytime dresses and cocktail dresses to evening gowns and wedding gowns, covering a wide price range. A monochromatic metallic jacquard shirtdress in floral print resembling Haley’s outfit at the RNC retails for $549, while a belted taffeta shirtdress goes for $400.

Executives at New York-based Teri Jon did not respond to media requests on Wednesday.

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