On May 15, 2025, Queen Máxima of the Netherlands attended the opening of the Fenix Museum of Migration, designed by MAD Architects, in Katendrecht near Rotterdam. The Queen inaugurated the new museum on the quay and toured the collection. She also spoke with artists and staff members of Fenix. The museum features an international art collection by over one hundred artists from every continent.
The largest artwork at Fenix is The Tornado, a double-spiral staircase at the heart of the building that leads to a panoramic rooftop. Highlighted artworks include a suitcase maze made up of two thousand suitcases donated by individuals, and The Bus, a seven-meter-long piece made of textiles, metal, and wood, featuring puppets in pop art style depicting a multicultural New York scene.
The museum is housed in a restored monumental warehouse from 1923, located on the quay where millions of people once began new lives. Through its collection, Fenix aims to show that migration is both timeless and universal. At the event, Dutch Queen Maxima wore a new outfit by Natan. The ensemble consisted of a sleeveless dress with an asymmetrical slit and a flowing mousseline cape.
Hm. I think this would be a fabulous wedding outfit, not sure if it fits the vibe of this engagement, though. I like the top half (including the floral arrangment and the cape) more than the bottom one.
ReplyDelete-Nika-
I can imagine some comments (bridesmaid, little girl or wearing a flower pot), but I feel she just looks wonderful and dares to be different; well done, QM
ReplyDeleteDifferent, bold, … old those words to cover up for the fact this woman doesn’t know how to dress for an occassion.
DeleteI Agree!!!
DeleteSo beautiful! Only Maxima can do it. But as one can always see: Ill-humoured, narrowminded comments by some envious female "nannies" (who, of course, aren't fit to be real nannies) never lack.
DeleteI love the whole outfit, but not for this occation. She should wear it for a garden party or a romantic wedding.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree.
DeleteWow! I love it, and I think that only flamboyant Maxima can get away with it.
ReplyDeleteLuna
@ Luna
DeleteSince more than one princess (her own daughter) or queen have worn this type of dress (long or short version), I think other royal ladies are getting away with it too.
This is a lovely look for Q Maxima. Also like the color of the dress.
ReplyDeletecss
This is a perfect outfit for this museum opening featuring international artists. While I know her headpiece won't be to everyone's liking, this is the perfect place to wear it. It reminds me of Frida Kahlo. Fashion is also a form of art. The color is lovely on her.
ReplyDeleteThis is an insult to Frida Kahlo.
Delete@anon 00:06:I agree with your comments. She looks lovely!
DeleteJudy
Agree 00:06. The flowers are absolutely beautiful, and yes somewhat Frida, who I imagine would be thrilled to see this. I think she looks magnificent in this outfit and the flowers are the perfecting factor.
Delete@ Anonymous 11:35
DeleteI think your reaction can be considered as an insult to the designer of the hat.
This is a very pretty dress and headpiece on Máxima, although it does seem a bit mother-of-the-bride to me.
ReplyDelete-Royal Watcher
Maybe 20 years ago…
DeleteFlowergirl headpiece.
ReplyDeleteHmmm she wears it well. I would like to know the protocol the hats or head adornments have in the royal roles. Seems like a carry over from victorian days.
ReplyDeleteEvery Queen or Princess these days can wear a hat or a fascinator like they want. The stylist and designers know what to wear on what event.
DeleteBut Maxima she will wear what SHE wants to wear even if it is an old hat she found in the back of a wardrobe.
This outfit is different for daytime, but Maxima wears it well, she looks feminine and pretty. Her accessory color is good. Earrings are pretty. The lady wearing the deep purple (I think that's the color) looks really fabulous. I love this dress, the skirt has plenty of movement, a nice designed outfit. Her shoes are a good color. Her upstyle hair, perfect.
ReplyDeletePlease hire a stylist.
ReplyDeleteJanet
She has Janet! That’s why she looks so fabulous.
Delete@ Anonymous 02:36
DeleteQueen Maxima certainly has a personal staff in charge of her wardrobe but her joyful approach to life is 100% hers.
No hired stylist could ever inject happiness in anyone.
Either you decide to enjoy life or you just go out there ill- tempered and grumpy.
* inject ...into...
DeleteThe dress is gorgeous. I not only love this pale dusty rose colour, but the design is also beautiful. It's more of a cocktail-style outfit, and the mousseline cape makes it light and airy. The fit on her is also perfect. As for the floral headdress, I love the whimsy of it! It is SO Max (lol) and works well given the Spring season/time of the year. I would love to visit this museum. Such an interesting - and pertinent - concept.
ReplyDelete- Anon 9:13
Agree 100%! And also agree on the museum, love to visit it with children. Definitely on my to-visit list for Rotterdam.
DeleteDamsel Dragonfly
@Damsel Dragonfly On my list as well. I currently have family visiting Amsterdam and just sent them details to try to fit in a visit.
Delete- Anon 9:13
dressed for a wedding
ReplyDeleteAgree !!
DeleteYes my opinion as well, from head to toe. Nice dress for an appropriate event ..., different from the one yesterday.
DeleteNot entirely sure about the meaning of the Natan dress design - but the colour and basic form of the dress and the stunning flowers/fascinator are absolutely beautiful on Maxima. The cape thing certainly adds romance to the blushing pink colouring, although can’t quite work out its true purpose. Just frippery?. I love that Maxima wears hats to openings! - so honouring to the teams who have done the work to get to the point of their opening, which can of course be years in the making.- Mary
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! MR
ReplyDeleteI am not totally sure but I can spot a silent tribute to Ukraine in the dainty flower wreath on her head.
ReplyDeleteOf course, migration in general and to the the Netherlands in particular still affects a large number of people from various countries .
This is a very Maxima- like ensemble altogether., a bit over the top while keeping feminine features.
Like the flowing cape and the pumps.
Lovely outfit, but a bit too festive to open a museum. The flowers in her hair are a rewear.
ReplyDeleteMost Natan's outfits are not a good fit for Maxima. Her flower hat is a little too much. But yes, she's smiling and happy.
ReplyDeleteI think she looks fantastic. Over the top headpiece that only Maxima can rock
ReplyDeleteLord no Maxima! Even Maxima cannot salvage this travesty of what looks like just a roll a chiffon fabric!
ReplyDeleteI like this outfit very much, and the colours suit Maxima perfectly. The headpiece is very romantic and the cape adds some mystery to the whole thing. Perfect for a wedding, but maybe not a visit to an art museum. Gunnel
ReplyDeleteBut it’s not a visit, it’s an official opening, before which an enormous amount of planning, designing, building, fitting out and then curating has gone on. A many years project! I think it deserves a very fancy opening!
DeleteJ'aime beaucoup la tenue de la jeune femme en violet et elle a un beau port de tête.
ReplyDeleteLe rose poudré est une couleur délicate qui lui va à merveille mais à mon avis, il me semble que son chapeau à fleurs est en trop pour cette tenue plutôt faite pour un mariage - Ravie qu'elle ait ressorti les boucles d'oreilles pendantes en quartz rose ?!
ReplyDeleteLire : pierre Kunzite !
ReplyDeleteThe lady accompanying the queen in her purple dress with silver shoes looks absolutely fabulous. Maxima's dress is beautiful and accentuates her fantastic figure and shape, but the combination with the headpiece is just too much girlie girlie sweetness.
ReplyDeleteLisa
If someone described for me in words what she wore, I had difficulties to believe that she can pull it off. But she can, and how ... she is unique and phenomenal.
ReplyDeleteA mio modesto parere non è un outfit adatto all’evento, ma siccome è Maxima viene perdonata.
ReplyDeleteBien que j’apprécie profondément cette reine, je tiens à relever qu’élégance rime aussi avec sobriété, simplicité.
ReplyDeleteBien sûr, l’extravagance, l’originalité ne sont point à fustiger, bannir.
Mais celles-ci doivent être maîtrisées, et surtout, seoir aux lieux où l’on se rend.
Je comprends son désir d’exprimer sa personnalité à travers ses tenues. Je l’apprécie aussi pour cela. Pour son authenticité. En effet, elle ne cherche pas à entrer dans une quelconque case. Elle se contente d’être elle-même. Et c’est agréable à regarder.
Mais j’estime tout de même qu’il est nécessaire de trouver un équilibre en toute chose.
Dans ce cas, je note un manque criard d’équilibre.
Néanmoins, la reine est et demeure une magnifique femme.
-Astrid.
I don’t see a lack of balance Astrid; I see a queen who lives life joyfully and is not afraid to show her joyful personality in her clothes. You might dress yourself differently for the role if you were queen - but Maxima has no need to change a thing.
DeleteJe vous remercie pour votre retour.
DeleteJe vous prie, aussi bien que vous avez votre avis, je vous prie de respecter le mien.
Il me semble que je puis avoir un avis différent du vôtre. C’est aussi cela qui fait la richesse de ce site, du monde en général : la diversité.
Merci d’avoir pris le temps de lire mon commentaire.
-Astrid.
We need to respect each woman's independent style. Often, they can "do better", but they have to be themselves as well. I believe it is important to find a balance between personal style and choosing clothes to look one's best. It is not always an easy thing to do. Queen Elizabeth II was a nice example of this. She had a very distinctive style and was always well put together with clothes that flattered her. She also wore a small fortune in diamonds and other gems every time she made an appearance. Was it over the top? Absolutely! But it was very "her".
Delete@ Anonymous 02:01
DeleteApparently you do not respect each woman's independent style. You wish to look everyone the same. You also think every Queen or Princess in Europe should adopt the British style, which is not the style that every independent lady would like to copy. I understand now why Queen Mary cannot do wrong with her outfits. She adopted the British style (more and more since she became queen). I always had a lot of admiration for Queen Elizabeth II, she had her own very British style. I liked her hats and coats in all the colors of the rainbow and it suited her. But times change whether you like it or not. Young queens and princesses like other ways of dressing themselves because they are independent ladies who like to try new things that nobody else wore before them. They are influencers too you know. When I am doing my shopping and I see a blouse or a jacket which this queen or that princess wore last week, I like to try it on, to see if it suits me too. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't, sometimes I buy it, sometimes I don't buy it. I do not think about balance or personal style, when I like something and if it fits and suits me, I buy it. I rarely bought something that after a while I didn't like anymore. I also receive regularly compliments of people who ask me where I found or bought my new jacket, or pants, or etc....
The fabric is a little clingy and that detracts. She really looks quite whimsical and I find myself smiling at Queen Maxima! Only she can pull this off!
ReplyDelete@Anonymous 02:01
ReplyDelete" We" who?
Why do you always speak on behalf of others?
I respect anyone's fashion picks even when they do not match my own preferences and I do not expect any royal lady to change anything in her presentation just to please my taste.
Your comment sounds paradoxical as ever.
Mir gefällt der romantische Kopfschmuck. Aber ich finde es zu dieser Gelegenheit unpassend, da das Museum im Mittelpunkt stehen sollte und nicht die Königin. Lisa
ReplyDeletePost a Comment