Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria is making a five-day visit to Indonesia in her capacity as Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). On the evening of September 5, Crown Princess Victoria attended a dinner hosted by Sara Ferrer Olivella, UNDP Resident Representative in Indonesia.
The dinner brought together women in leadership positions from various sectors of society who are driving Indonesia’s development. In 2023, Crown Princess Victoria was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). For the occasion, the Crown Princess wore a long dress by Valerie.
Valerie Selma Long Dress
Une robe parfaite sans porter de ceinture selon ce que je vois !
ReplyDeleteThis dress is letting her down. Simply not the right choice. For a casual evening out in autumnal Stockholm maybe, but not for Indonesia, not for a dinner reception, not in any official capacity.
ReplyDeleteIf I may add - the dress itself isn´t doing her any favours either. Those are not good colours on Victoria, the pattern is dizzying, the sleeve design looks more ill-fitting than intentional, and the uneven hem further gives the impression of a sloppy look. She wore this dress with a belt before which gave at least some structure but without it, it´s a largely shapeless mess of animal print. I don´t think it can be dressed up to be elegant, and the strict bun contradicts a potentially more laid-back approach.
Sorry, I have nothing good to say about this appearance. Victoria still looks like her warm, engaging and poised self, but I am sad to see that everyone else was dressed better than her.
Vanessa
Vanessa, having lived and worked across humid hot parts of Asia, I would say she’s even a step more elegant than required. In these countries the level of dressed- up-ness is definitely less, because living in a continually hot and humid country tones things down. She’s dressed perfectly well for the occasion, as you can see in the group shot. Not a mess at all but very neat and appropriate.
DeleteThanks for your reply.
DeleteI have lived and worked across humid parts of Asia too, and I do not share your view about a lower level of dressed-up-ness. Quite the opposite, in fact I think that Asians generally dress more elegantly and formally, despite the climate, elegantly styled and beautifully groomed. They wear shirts and blouses when Westeners were in sweaty t-shirts or wrinkled linen messes; they wear long sleeves and jackets when Westeners feel that even short sleeves are too hot and constricting; they wear fitted and pressed outfits when Westeners merely survive in lose, airy outfits. They even wear heavier, sturdier fabrics because they are simply used to the heat. It is the Westeners who find the hot humid climate challenging - not the Asians who are used to it.
This is my observation of course, and I´m not saying it´s the universal truth, but I simply don´t agree that hot countries tone done the level of formality.
Vanessa
Hi Vanessa! How interesting! I lived in Singapore and travelled particularly in neighbouring countries including Indonesia and Indochina. People were systematically more casually dressed (vis a vis European business and formal occasions) and I almost never saw a tie or a suit jacket on a man, except perhaps politicians. Yes ladies wear longer sleeves, which is cultural, but I rarely saw heels (except on foreigners) and altogether the whole thing was more relaxed. People wore beautiful fabrics, especially silk, heavier sometimes, but less constricting styles, very much similar to the group photo here. Regarding things being well ironed, all my friends and contacts who had live-in help had well-ironed things. Which parts of Asia did you live in?
DeleteMalaysia and South Korea. (Have been to numerous other countries in the region, including Japan, China, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia.)
DeleteIn South Korea there are suits everywhere. In Malaysia not as much, but then again, the level of formality isn´t necessarily dependent on western attire, especially in women´s fashion.
This dress really is big NO:
ReplyDeleteThe colour, the pattern and wider shoulders reminds me of 80’s.
Hi Vanessa.
ReplyDeleteSomewhat unfortunately I have to agree with everything that you have written.
Given Indonesia's warm climate I would have expected a more summery look.
Cate.
Indonesia like many countries has an etiquette of predominantly long sleeves for women, based on many things including being a moslem country. Check the group photo. Also I think she’s mostly in navy and blacks in keeping with mourning for King Harald. It’s a lot to balance and I think she’s done really well.
DeleteIt’s fun to look across the group and see the different choices of outfit. All quite simply dressed, with some beautiful silk fabrics, plenty of flat shoes. The dress of Victoria being black I think is probably in keeping with mourning, but is relaxed enough for this occasion, not overly dressed up or overly styled. It actually looks like a girls’ night out, happy and relaxed and close together.
ReplyDeleteI´m sure, Victoria is saddened by King Harald´s passing because the two royal families are close, and she´s likely also observing Haakon´s succession to the thrown as she´s likely next and will at some point have to go through the same transition.
DeleteBut I really don´t think that her dress choice has anything to do whatsoever with mourning. She is not Norwegian, and foreign royal families do not observe mourning periods for other royal families. Also, we have seen her wear white during this trip, and we have seen Silvia in bright clothes since. And lastly, who would choose an all-over animal prints dress as a mourning outfit anyway?
Vanessa
Beg to differ with the comment by 9;24, we have seen the other scandi royalty predominantly dressed in black and navy in the past week.
Delete9:24 I don't know where you have been, but king Carl Gustaf put his royal court into mourning following the death of Harald.
DeleteThe dress is okay, I find it is hanging on her despite the fit. The sleeves are too long and I am not a fan of uneven hems. If it is made of silk it would be cool to wear and the colours are okay for an evening event. Plain but nice.
ReplyDeleteI am more worried about her stranded in Indonesia due to the Krakatoa's eruption and the closing of airports as a consequence. Hope everyone is safe there.
ReplyDeleteI do love it when someone breaks into the hemline discussion with the reality of living! Thank you!
DeleteWhen in Indonesia you will find that in every building there is a very cold airco. What I didnot expect: advertisements for handkerchieves everywhere! Look at the other women, they all are dressed for moderate temperature.
ReplyDeleteNot the greatest look. This dress is nothing too special.
ReplyDeletecss
This dress is very dated (pattern, uneven hem, sleeves) so it’s not very flattering.
ReplyDeleteThe CP looks nice, but I am not a fan of the dress. For starters the hemline, a big no from me.
ReplyDelete"This dress is very dated". Princess Charlene is wearing a new dress in the same color and pattern. Only the shape is different. Although Princess Charlene received more positive comments than CP Victoria, I do not like both dresses very much just because of the sad color.
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