The designer explained why he stays away from trends
THE fashion designer behind White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s wardrobe has revealed secret messages he hides in her suits.
Christopher Cuozzo designs custom outfits for Leavitt, 27, to wear in the White House briefing room.
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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks at a press briefing in the White House briefing room on February 25, 2025Credit: AP
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Karoline Leavitt with her husband Nicholas Riccio, both of whom designer Christopher Cuozzo has designed suits for, and their baby NikoCredit: Instagram/KarolineLeavitt
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Leavitt wearing a pink suit during a White House briefing on April 28, 2025Credit: Reuters
Cuozzo, a menswear designer who just recently started in womenswear, has made several suits for Leavitt and her 60-year-old husband, Nicholas Riccio.
The Boston-based business owner said he met Leavitt right after Thanksgiving, just weeks after President Donald Trump won the 2024 election.
Leavitt had already been picked for the press secretary role – making her the youngest to ever hold the position – and she knew she would need the garb for the job.
Cuozzo said that despite being under the pressure of daily life in the White House, Leavitt and Riccio met him with friendly attitudes as they decided what their custom pieces would look like.
“I did quite a few suits, actually, some for him, some for her,” Cuozzo told Business Insider.
“They were the nicest, nicest people. Then, when the suits were ready, I shipped them down to DC for them.
“They absolutely loved them, and both of them have been ordering more ever since.”
Cuozzo said the process is a creative one, as Leavitt sends him requests and ideas that he responds to with pictures and sketches.
Leavitt is “not afraid of color,” which Cuozzo said inspired him to dream big with emerald green and bright red suits.
But color isn’t the only detail that Cuozzo takes into account: he said the custom suits sometimes include hidden messages at Leavitt’s request.
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“Typically, a suit or really any garment takes about four to six weeks,” he explained.
“Now, there’s all these things that go into it that could add a longer time.
“We do a lot of custom linings where we print the photos onto silk, and then that lining goes inside the suit, and that’s going to add approximately two weeks.”
Cuzzo revealed Leavitt included a patriotic secret lining on one of her custom-made suits.
“I’m going off memory here, but I’m pretty confident we did an American flag lining in one of her suits,” he said.
He added that because the linings aren’t visible in the briefings, “I’ve got to get her to flash that jacket open.”
Cuzzo continued to say Leavitt is classy, but focused on serious-looking suits as she briefs reporters from all over the world on Trump’s day-to-day business.
“Classic reigns supreme, so you don’t want anything trendy,” Cuozzo said.
“I don’t envision her wanting to do some very loud plaid suit that’s a bunch of different colors.”
Cuozzo’s suits start at $1,495 but cost more depending on the fabric, but he wouldn’t reveal how much Leavitt’s suits have cost.
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Leavitt at a White House briefing on January 28, 2025Credit: Getty
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Leavitt wearing a blue suit at a press briefing in Washington DC on May 9, 2025Credit: AP
