On November 28, 2023, Queen Maxima and French first lady Brigitte Macron attended the opening of the exhibition "Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses" at the Musee des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. Van Herpen combines the craftsmanship of traditional couture with the use of innovative techniques. The exhibition brings together essential features of Van Herpen’s work, which focuses on fashion, contemporary art, design and science.
The exhibition revolves around nine themes, including ‘water’ and ‘skeletons’, both of which are prominent elements of Van Herpen’s designs. A replica of Van Herpen’s studio has also been installed to allow visitors to see how new pieces are designed. The Musée des Arts Décoratifs is the largest museum for decorative arts in Europe.
Marvellous Maxima!
ReplyDeleteLove the Look of the French First Lady!
DeleteWow. What an amazing dress. Queen Maxima looks stunning. Iris van Herpen is also mesmerising but Mme Macron appears to have gone for a standard outfit. I love Queen Maxima's tribute by wearing one of van Herpen's designs.
ReplyDeleteMaxima looks spectacular! Beautiful dress, makeup and hairstyle. WOW!
ReplyDeleteThe queen and first lady appear to be dressed for completely different events.
ReplyDeleteMaxima in an elegant evening gown and Mrs Macron in a day outfit.
But the occasion is the opening of a fashion exhibition.
DeleteIn France, people don’t usually wear a stunning evening gown for such an occasion unless mentioned on the invitation.
For a state dinner or such like, yes, but I question if Q.Maxima's dress is a good choice for the opening of a fashion exhibition.
I think Mme Macron has got it right.
@Deadeggs, she is wearing something from the designer, who is also in long dress and makes 99% long dresses. What else could Maxima have worn? If anything I think Mme Macron is underdressed here.
DeleteNot my taste… Brigitte is more appropriate and overall nice style.
ReplyDeleteHeinrike
Agree !!
DeleteAgree. This is a spectacular dress but not for a queen, more something for a celebrity. Madame Macron is better dressed for the occasion.
DeleteMaxima est tout simplement éblouissante. Quelle prestance! Cette robe est tout simplement magnifique.
ReplyDeletewow! Maxima is an exhibition herself. breath taking outfit but a different event for mrs. macron
ReplyDeleteMrs Macron is looking like she is Queen Maxima's assistant. They are dressed for totally different occassions. Both look great in their outfits though - But Maxima steals the show.
DeleteT
Wowza. Would “Va Va Voom!” be appropriate? (I’m showing my age, I’m afraid 😁) — Jane
ReplyDeleteThe dress is a work of art and absolutely beautiful. The Queen pulls it off with great presence and style, so bravo for her huge fashion moment. Plus, the earrings are spectacular! Interesting that the First Lady is in a work suit, doesn’t seem that they are at the same event.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving this. The dress is quite dramatic and the queen wears this incredibly well. Queen Maxima is quite tall which I think is a requirement for this dress. Because this was an exposition from the designer, I think wearing this dress was appropriate but madam Macron, although looking fine, rather pales in comparison and makes her look underdressed.
ReplyDeleteI have to compliment the hairstyle, although I'm usually a big critic of her hair, I can appreciate her effort - it's nice.
ReplyDeleteThe dresses are very nice, but I am confused by the different styles of the ladies present. I understand that Maxima wanted to wear something from the work of Iris van Herpen, because it is an exhibition of this author. But the nice white dress is definitely prom, more suitable for large state banquets, where a white shirt is prescribed and for official balls. Doesn't Mrs. Van Herpen create daily fashion? It looks like Maxima and Mrs. Macron are at different events.
Stephanie
PS: I love Parisian museums (sigh) - my motto: not a single visit to Paris without visiting a museum.
Madame Macron is very well dressed, as usual. But which of the two has the wrong attire? Maxima is dressed for evening, the other for daytime.... Stefania
ReplyDeleteWow. Wow. wow. She looked like a queen. Amazing. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteQ M is a winterqueen, fantastic!
ReplyDeleteBeautifull!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderfull for Iris: her Queen in one of her dresses,
Mabel
Yes you understood the meaning of Maxima's presence. Apparently there are a lot of bloggers who did not understood that Queen Maxima was part of the exposition.
DeleteQM looks stunning! MR
ReplyDeleteAtemberaubend! Wer hätte gedacht, daß man diese Kleider auch wirklich tragen kann und so umwerfend aussieht. Gleichzeitig gefällt mir, daß Mme Macron bei ihren understated Stil bleibt.
ReplyDeleteSabsi
Quelle magnifique robe ; on dirait presque qu'elle lui colle à la peau jusqu'à la taille ; à mon humble avis, ses boucles d'oreilles seraient beaucoup mieux dans un style plus moderne ; madame Macron est toujours élégante dans un autre style plus épuré mais je ne m"étendrai pas sur sa coiffure !!
ReplyDeleteMaxima looks stunning but little bit overdressed if you compare to Mrs Macron.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Ms. Macron is underdress. Maxima looks fabulous
DeleteMacron is underdressed
DeleteMrs Macron is not underdressed. She is dressed differently. Did it not occur to all of you that all this has been prepared well in advance ? If Mrs Macron is dressed in a white dress and a white coat, it is because it is part of what the organization of the exposition prepared together with the designer and the two ladies.
DeleteMaxima is wearing a beautifull evening dress, Brigitte Macron is not wearing an evening dress. Was the dress code for this event not communicated?
ReplyDeleteOn expositions I think there are no dress codes. Everyone who wish to visit an exposition can wear what they want.
DeleteAbsolutely magnificent! The dress is like a dream, her hair is perfect and the happy person carrying it all looks fantastic! C
ReplyDeleteMaxima wanted to be part of the exhibition, apparently. The objective is well achieved, but I feel some exageration. How did Mrs Macron feel about it ?
ReplyDeleteYou can also look at it the other way round. I think Macron is underdressed. How did Maxima feel about it?
DeleteIndeed Mary. Maxima was invited by the Dutch designer - with whom she has previous links - to wear this dress and help inaugurate the exhibition by being dressed in this masterpiece. Little if anything about royal appearances is spontaneous, but all well organised and well in advance, so no doubt Mme Macron would have known this arrangement. - AnneLise
DeleteMaybe Queen Maxima and the designer had an agreement that she should be there dressed in one of her creations. A better publicity Iris Van Herpen cannot expect.
DeleteI’m sure Mme Macron would understand that Q. Maxima was there, full of energy, bursting with enthusiasm and going to no limit to support Dutch talent.
DeleteShe's an absolute VISION!! Gorgeous!! That dress is a work of art and her hair and makeup just complete the look!! LOVE IT!!
ReplyDeleteSo True "a work of art" and Van Herpen is recognised for it by having an exhibition in this very fameus museum in Paris. Máxima wears this dress fantastic.
DeleteThat´s a spectacular look. Very feminine, elegant, interesting, sculptured. Lots of intricate features, yet they melt together beautifully without being too much. The fit is perfect, so is the length, and the material moves beautifully. I like the muted colour, so the design details take center stage. Maxima´s hair is very well done and matches the wavy lines of the dress. The red lipstick give it some life.
ReplyDeleteThis might be my favourite look on her in a long time. She looks stunning. (Given the creative/arty theme of the exhibition, I´m glad she didn´t go for the crazy head piece the model is wearing.)
One lady festive and the other one business-like. Strange.
ReplyDeleteDear Coralie.
DeleteNo, just a misunderstand on what the occasion was. IMO.
It was the inauguration of a fashion exhibition, not a state dinner in a palace.
Why is it such a problem that these two ladies have 1. very different personal styles, each in their own right and 2. basically very different roles for this occasion? They represent something, but they represent two very different things. Both are beautifully dressed and there is absolutely no need to compare in the sense of "who did it right". Both of them did. I love Madame Macron's style very much and as for Máxima in this outfit, with this hair and jewels - I am absolutely delighted and love and adore everything about it (and her). (GM)
ReplyDeleteWhere is the groom? hihi
ReplyDeleteMaxima's dress is very beautiful but more appropriate on occasions like weddings and gala's.
But all in all applause for being bold and stands out of the rest.
Top hair (take that hairdresser to NL). The historical rose cut diamonds, what a treat, got to love them.
I think Mme Macron is dressed in a typical parisienne way, petite but also bold. (mm reminds me of cafe smell in a bistro looking out on the Eiffel) and maybe Chanel 5 for personal use.
-Anna-
Queen Maxima already has an evening dress by Iris Van Herpen. I am sure if an exposition around the work of Jan Taminiau or Claes Iversen would have been organized in Paris, QM would also been present in one of their creations which she also wears.
ReplyDeleteMaxima est fabuleuse la seule Reine a porté une spectaculaire tenue
ReplyDeleteMme Macron a choisi la sobriété pour éviter toutes critiques sur ses frais vestimentaires, critiques bien françaises
Froufrou
It is high time for Mrs. Macron to throw this awful wig in the trash, it looks ridiculous. Even if her hair is thin it is possible to have a simple and elegant hairstyle.
ReplyDeletemjt
I just read the Dutch press and discovered that Queen Maxima did not just attend the exposition about Iris Van Herpen but she opened it. Therefore she cannot be judged to wear an evening dress by this designer while Brigitte Macron wore a day dress and coat. Upon arrival she also wore an evening handbag (envelope) that she received from Brigitte Macron as a present on her last state visit to The Netherlands. Not many people know that Queen Maxima and King Willem Alexander are very much appreciated by the other heads of state, they see each other also in private. So, Brigitte Macron was there to welcome QM at the exposition. Queen Maxima also visited other expositions while she was in Paris and probably some haute couture boutiques too.
ReplyDeleteAgree. And Maxima speaks French really well, I didn't know! She delivered the opening speech in French (and partly Dutch). She looks wonderful, as does Mme Macron. Damsel Dragonfly
DeleteWow! Absolutely stunning!
ReplyDeleteWow! Absolutely stunning!
ReplyDeleteWhat an accolade for Iris van Herpen to receive on having her work honored in the museum of Arts décoratifs de Paris.
ReplyDeleteShe is a young (39 year old) artist who is creating manufacturing techniques for the future. She is combining art, digital technology and craftsmanship to create an entirely new approach for working with fabrics, styles, fashion.
So good to see Q.Maxima supporting the talent of her country.
Good morning dear fellow Aussie bloggers.
ReplyDeleteHope you are enjoying your spring weather.
Good news for you as when the Iris van Herpen exhibition finishes in Paris (April 2024) it is moving to Brisbane Australia and then on to Singapore (or visa-versa) ? It will have a final showing in Rotterdam.
If you’ve already got your plane ticket booked and paid for to visit the exhibition in Paris, see if you can get your money back and enjoy a stay in Brissy.
That is one of the most spectacular evening gowns I have ever seen on any Royal. Stunning. Stunning. Stunning.
ReplyDeleteIris van Herpen is 100% Dutch. She is a very private person.
ReplyDeleteThere is almost ‘zero’ to be found on her private life.
Vogue France did an interview with her in July 2021 but concentrated the discussion to only her work, ideas,inspirations etc.
The interview is in English.
If you’re interested you can pick it up via ……
https://www.vogue.fr/fashion/article/iris-van-herpen-space-and-skydiving-inspirations
What a wonderful dress !!!!
ReplyDeleteA TRUE QUEEN
If I may, I see an opportunity to talk a little about Mme Brigitte Macron.
ReplyDeleteAs mentioned above she is the wife of the current President of France, Emmanuel Macron.
She is 70 years old.
I believe she has adopted a method of (natural) anti-ageing used by the famous designer of Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld who died in 2019 at the age of 85 years.
His method which he used on himself was to cover as much of the body with fabrics (clothing) and just leave the face showing. Example, vestments with high necklines, long sleeves and if you have leg problems, fitted pants, fashion jeans, midi-length skirts etc.
In the end, the only body piece showing is the face. Thereafter, all the aging body parts are hidden with fashion ? outerwear.
Madame Macron tends to use this method plus she has the advantage of a Wallis Simpson figure (never too slim, never too rich).
She compliments her husband well when in her trendy mix of high fashion jackets/blazers worn with slim jeans and expensive trainers.
They make a handsome and ‘with-it’ married couple.
They have been married for 16 years.
Emmanuel is 46 years old.
Brigitte Macron is not entirely following Karl Lagerfeld because her dresses and coats are always short. She has great legs she must not hide them. It is true she wears often high necklines and long sleeves. In the beginning when her husband was just president she still wore short sleeves, but she was younger then.
DeleteMadame Macron her favorite designer is Louis Vuitton.
DeleteStrange my first reaction on this fabulous dress has not been published here.
ReplyDeleteI said that Queen Maxima is a beautiful woman. In this dress she is really a queen that stepped out of a fairy tale. I think she looks so good because she is a woman that is always in a positive mood, no matter what life has brought to her. She is always happy and friendly to anyone. People don't forget that.
I think that Madame Macron looks just fine. If the exhibition had not been by a flamboyant designer and her flamboyant designs, no one would be complaining about M. Macron's chic outfit. She picked the right colour (Winter White) to coordinate with the others; she is also a woman of a certain age who may not be suited to Van Herpen's designs, beautiful as they are. So she wore what suits and fits her best, which as we know is the correct way to dress.
ReplyDeleteMaxima is dazzling in that gown. If ever a garment and a model were made for each other, this is it. I like the top part more than the bottom part, but the overall artistic craftsmanship of the full garment is exquisite.
- Anon 9:13
She always wants to be the center of attention. But the dress is lovely and fits her well and her hair looks good too. So, an improvement over all.
ReplyDeleteWat knap dat u weet wat ze altijd wil.....
DeleteYes indeed! - when you invite a Queen, you invite her to be the centre of attention! And in this case she was invited to wear this dress and to officially inaugurate the exhibition. - AnneLise
DeleteI agree. It is pure jealousy because she is a beautiful woman in a beautiful dress.
DeleteWow! Just wow! Amazing creations by the designer. The more I scroll, I see nothing wrong with the contrast between Maxima's and Mme. Macron's choices. It was an evening event, Maxima was clearly a guest, and Mme. Macron more of a host. Christine
ReplyDeleteQM looks overdressed, Mme Macron looks underdressed. But then, next to such a dramatic outfit (altough stunning and perfect), everyone looks underdressed...
ReplyDeleteMaxima is stunning today. What great looking gown. What happened to Brigitte? maybe she did not get the complete memo? css
ReplyDeleteWauw, wauw, wauw..... Wat een prachtig kunstwerk en wat een promotie voor Iris van Herpen. Goedgedaan, Máxima!
ReplyDeleteShe looks sensational, Queen Maxima looks incredible. The diamond earrings were the perfect finishing touch, simply gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThe Queen looks perfect, and Mrs. Macron too, different styles and What ???
ReplyDeleteMaxima's gown is a mix of ethereal, sexy, sophisticated and classy features all in one, like a sartorial dream on a living beautiful statue, that is what Maxima embodies as a matter of fact.
ReplyDeleteNothing short than spectacular and nothing I wouldn't t wear myself.
The sheer figure hugging bits are intriguing, perfection!
M.me Macron looks totally off within this context, her outfit is too ordinary and just appropriate for a daytime engagement imo.
Different styles, for different women. If Mrs. Macron had worn the dress, it would have not had the same visual effect as when a tall woman wears the dress. In this case, Maxima. I am not really fond of the style of the gown, but overall, Maxima looked nice. I was not particularly thrilled with the skin showing around the shoulder area. It should have all been covered with the light netting type fabric. Edwina
ReplyDeleteMaxima is beautiful !!! Her dress is one of the best outfits she has ever wore !!!!
ReplyDeleteBest dress ever in my opinion, looking forward to see more of Dutch designers.
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