Ivanka Trump Wears a Chinese Designer's Creation at the White House as She Poses with Arabella Ahead of Xi Jinping's Visit — Photos

The president's daughter dressed for a diplomatic occasion, then stepped in front of the camera with her own daughter for portraits that offered a much closer look.

Ivanka Trump shared the White House photos with Arabella Kushner on September 24, 2026, ahead of events welcoming Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan. Between the pair's carefully chosen outfits and a rather striking reception room, there was plenty for admirers to take in, and one detail soon had people teasing Ivanka.

A Front-Row Seat and a Very Special Blue Dress

Ivanka, the eldest daughter of President Donald Trump, attended Thursday's White House welcome ceremony with 15-year-old Arabella. The two had prominent seats near Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, while cabinet members including Marco Rubio, Scott Bessent, and Pete Hegseth sat farther back, according to the South China Morning Post.

Ivanka's outfit was worth a closer look. Her robin's egg blue dress and matching jacket were reported to be the work of Beijing-based designer Guo Pei, giving her choice of clothing a connection to the visiting president's country.

In the portraits shared to her Instagram stories, the dress has a beautifully fitted silhouette, with white piping tracing its seams and curved pocket details. A cropped jacket added the flourish: pale floral embroidery spread across its front and sleeves, bringing a little grandeur to that soft blue.

Ivanka kept the styling wonderfully crisp. White pointed-toe pumps echoed the trim, pearl drop earrings gave the look a classic finish, and her blonde hair was swept into a chignon with side-swept bangs. In one solo shot, she looked completely at ease beside the marble fireplace, one hand resting on the mantel as she smiled for the camera.

Guo is the designer behind Rihanna's unforgettable yellow, fur-trimmed cape at the 2015 Met Gala. That embroidered creation took more than two years and over 50,000 hours to make. Ivanka's blue ensemble is quieter, but its intricate jacket certainly rewards a second look.

The designer choice also suited an occasion where fashion could carry a diplomatic meaning. The Chinese first lady has long used her wardrobe to champion Chinese designers and traditional culture. Seeing Ivanka arrive in one of Guo's creations gave the welcome ceremony its own fashion talking point.

Then there was Arabella, whose outfit made the mother-daughter portraits feel especially sweet.

Arabella Had Her Own White House Moment

Arabella appeared alongside her mother in an ivory look with a tailored, high-collared jacket and a flowing midi skirt. Pearlized buttons, flap pockets, and a matching belt gave the jacket its polished shape, while neutral strappy sandals kept the outfit youthful.

Her long brunette hair fell in soft waves around a bright smile. Standing on the opposite side of the fireplace in one image, she looked comfortable in front of the camera, with one hand resting near her hip. Ivanka, meanwhile, held her elegant pose across the mantel.

But their most playful photo brought them together without either leaving her spot. Mother and daughter stretched their arms across the fireplace until their fingertips met, Ivanka glancing toward Arabella with an amused smile. It is an affectionate little gesture in an otherwise formal room, and easily one of the loveliest details in the set.

Another portrait moves into the adjoining hallway, where they stand shoulder to shoulder beneath a crystal chandelier. Warm sconces light the arched corridor, and tall mahogany doors give the photograph a stately backdrop.

Reports from the ceremony described Arabella's white belted look as a piece by London-based label Self-Portrait. In the portraits Ivanka shared, the structured jacket and sweeping skirt make their own impression beside her mother's richly embroidered blue.

The Visit Brought Back Memories for Ivanka and Arabella

This is not the first time the family has welcomed the Chinese president to the United States. During his visit in April 2017, Arabella performed the Chinese song "Mo Li Hua", or "Jasmine Flower," and recited Tang dynasty poetry in Chinese for Xi and Peng.

Later that year, Donald Trump showed the couple private videos in which his granddaughter addressed them as "Grandpa Xi" and "Grandma Peng."

Meanwhile, Ivanka had an official role during her father's first presidency, serving as an unpaid adviser and becoming a point of contact for Chinese officials in Washington.

Her business ties to China attracted scrutiny, too: trademark approvals there in 2018 prompted discussion about potential conflicts of interest. She closed her business that year, saying she wanted to focus on her government work, and announced in 2022 that she was leaving politics.

At home, Arabella is Ivanka and Jared Kushner's eldest child and only daughter. Her younger brothers are Joseph Frederick Kushner and Theodore James Kushner. She turned 15 on July 17, and Ivanka marked the birthday with a carousel that followed her daughter through the years.

"Happy 15th Birthday to my extraordinary girl," Ivanka wrote in her birthday post. "You amaze me every day with your kindness, curiosity, brilliance, and strength."

She continued, "I am endlessly proud of your dedication, your poise, and the way you move through the world with both confidence and compassion." The pride in that message comes through again in the White House photos, particularly when Ivanka turns away from the camera to smile at Arabella across the fireplace.

Of course, admirers looking at the portraits had thoughts about the clothes as well. Ivanka's elaborate blue jacket drew praise, criticism, and one comparison that is hard to miss once someone points it out.

Commenters Spotted a Match Behind Ivanka

The reception room where they took the photos is dressed in blue-and-white toile wallpaper, with polished hardwood floors, a white marble fireplace, and an ornate mirror above it. It is a gorgeous setting for the portraits, though its pattern sits remarkably close to the colors and floral detail on Ivanka's jacket.

On Instagram, one commenter went straight for the resemblance: "Ivanka looks like the wallpaper behind her 🙄." Another asked, "Was Ivanka trying to match her outfit to the wallpaper 🤔?"

Other reactions focused on the pair together. One admirer wrote, "Beautiful daughter! ❤️ amazing mom teaching her the real! Hats off to you! 💖 [sic]."

The opinions were just as varied on Facebook. One person commented, "Beautiful Arabella and yes..the style resembles with Cathrine style.Mom Ivanka's dress is weird looking [sic]," while another wrote, "I love everything Ivanka wears, but not this one. Does not look right."

Arabella had an admirer there, too. "Wow, Arabella is so grown up. Beautiful young lady," a commenter wrote.

The blue wallpaper may have inspired the cheekiest reactions, but the sweetest detail has nothing to do with the decor. Across that grand White House fireplace, Ivanka reached for Arabella's hand, and their fingertips met in a moment that made the formal portraits feel wonderfully personal.