Melania Trump is dressing to impress – the Saudi Arabian delegation, that is.

The first lady wore an emerald green strapless Elie Saab gown on Tuesday, Nov. 18, for the black tie dinner the White House hosted to welcome Saudi Arabia's Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The evening, one of the first official White House dinners with a foreign leader of President Donald Trump's second term, was closely watched in part because the prince was once named by the CIA as having played a lead role in the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The first lady's attire was a rare form of showing public allegiance to her husband’s goals to strengthen ties with the country.

Melania Trump's presence, an uncommon occurrence at many of the White House's official events, marked the importance of the occasion and her choice of fabrics even more so. The deep green of the dress looked swatched from the flag of Saudi Arabia, which is all one color, adorned with a white sword and an Arabic phrase translated to "There is no deity but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God."

The first lady has largely taken a backseat during her husband's second White House stint, breaking with tradition and winnowing her role as a messenger of the administration. Tuesday's dinner marked an aberration, not only in Melania Trump's color choice, but also in the message from the designer behind the ruched, floor-length gown.

The dress, which was stitched with a fabric meant to mock leather, is from Lebanese designer Saab, The New York Times reports. Currently selling for $3,350, Saab's creation is significant in its White House wear in particular because he held one of the largest fashion shows ever in the Middle East last year. Where? In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The event was one of the most prominent during the Riyadh Fashion Season, a newish festival that is part of Bin Salman's Vision 2030 plan for the country, per the Times.

Trump's meeting with bin Salman marks a change in tone for the U.S. Despite a highly criticized human rights record, the Trump White House ushered in the Saudi Arabian crown prince for a glowing meeting brimming with promises of military and economic deals.

Ignoring the urgings of human rights advocates, Trump dismissed concerns about bin Salman's alleged role in the murder of Washington Post journalist Khashoggi. "It's an honor to be your friend, and it's an honor that you're here," he told the prince in the Oval Office.

Contributing: Cybele Mayes-Osterman, Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Melania Trump nods to Saudi Arabian flag with green gown for Crown Prince's visit

Reporting by Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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