On the evening of April 1, 2025, the President of Vietnam, Luong Cuong, and First Lady Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet hosted a state banquet at the International Convention Center in Hanoi in honor of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium. King Philippe gave a speech during the state banquet. The Belgian King and Queen are making a state visit to Vietnam at the invitation of President Luong Cuong.
DRIES VAN NOTEN Giant Lilies print maxi dress
Usually I love Dries clothing on QM but this dress is not a favourite. With such a large and colourful print why make a dress with full length sleeves plus a high neck? I think it would look so much better with a simple jewel neckline and 3/4 sleeves. Her earrings are beautiful though as is her hairstyle. (V.M.)
ReplyDeleteI think the dress for the context is just right. It has great similarities to the national dress style of Vietnam, so I think that’s the point of the high neck, long sleeves and bold print. Now from that angle, I think she “nailed the assignment”.
DeleteAfter the state banquets in Japan and France, this is the third state banquet without tiaras. I like Mathilde's dress, but the first lady is the winner. Pure elegance.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. The First Lady’s dress is smart and elegant. Queen Mathilde’s dress has a bit too much pattern for me
DeleteTiaras are usually only worn when the evening dress code is 'White-tie', not otherwise.
Delete- Anon 9:13
When Queen Mathilde is visiting a country with a president as head of state, she never wears a tiara. That is the custom in Belgium because first ladies do not wear tiara's.
DeleteThat print is just really bad. What was she thinking?
ReplyDeleteMarie
Excessive criticism in my view. Cannot you soften a bit the words ? Personally I remain on the fence about the dress, like very much the hair styling.
DeleteMaybe she was thinking, “I don’t really care what you think.”
DeleteI agree, the print has tablecloth vibes.
DeleteKim
Also much toned-down. Ah, where hath all the glamour gone ...
ReplyDeleteI think this is a beautiful Van Notten dress.
ReplyDeleteBeaucoup trop ostentatoire cet imprimé fleuri. On ne voit que ça sur la photo.
ReplyDeleteQueen Mathilde again looks so lovely. The style of her dress/gown is exceptionally flattering. What I don't like about the dress is the huge floral pattern--I'm not much of a pattern person and patterns like this one (huge, multi-color flowers) are really not my cup of tea. So, can't say I like this choice but my decision is purely personal. I do love the style for Mathilde though. Her choice to limit her jewelry to earrings is perfect both because of the patterned dress as well as the fact she is a guest in a country that does not have a history of royalty so there is no jewel collection. While I miss the dazzle of jewels at state banquets I also think this is respectful to the host nation. The First Lady looks fabulous in her gown and pearls--so classic and elegant.
ReplyDeleteJanet
The dress is a rewear by Dries Van Noten. Queen Mathilde wore this dress in March 2023 at a state visit to South Africa. I expected the bad comments on this blog, which is not the case on other blogs about Queen Mathilde.
ReplyDeleteI bed most people didn't saw the special jewel she put in her hair instead of a tiara. If you click on the first picture to make it larger you will see it. It is a diamond and other stones dragonfly. Her hair is again done in a very beautiful updo with curls in the back. I like her dress which is very appropriate for this state visit. When you look at the group's picture (N°6), it is full of all kind of colours.
Merci anonyme 06 : 50 pour ces infos. Pour excuser "la plupart des gens" (ignares que nous sommes !) il faut dire que le bijou de cheveux n'est vraiment pas très visible.
DeleteLa 6e photo est certes pleine de couleurs, mais on ne peut pas dire que ce soit très harmonieux. Chacun ses goûts.
Paloma.
Dear Anon 6:50 - please let me know the names of the other blogs where you don’t see the harsh comments that this one so often has … I’d love to be seeing similar posts but with much happier discussion! I find it sad that you came here expecting bad comments … used to be a happy group of commenters when I started reading here (some years pre Meghan’s entry to the Royal works) - Mary
DeleteI am loving the Queen's hairstyle here, but the long gown is a bit too busy for my taste. The First Lady has her own unique style, and what appears to be beautiful fabrics for the same cut of dress or gown. She looks great.
ReplyDeleteIt is not just too busy. It looks as if it is designed for the pattern of the fabric, however, the vibe of traditional ao dai is lost in those huge flowers. It is also poorly sewn - the pattern of the front should have been matched with the sede panels. The models with trousers and handkerchief dress with the same pattern are much better designed.
DeleteJ'ai exactement le même avis que vous, mot pour mot, et j'approuve aussi les commentaires de Janet et AnnieM. Paloma.
DeleteÀ shock at first site, but it grew on me. Beautifull pattern.
ReplyDeleteBin von der First Lady Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet richtig begeistert. Auf diesen Bildern sieht sie auch wieder so wunderschön aus. Ich finde sie hat so eine enorme Ausdrucksstärke und eine schlichte Eleganz. -Dorothe-
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and elegant as always
ReplyDeleteThe more I look at the dress the more it’s growing on me. I think with QM hair/make up/jewellery it’s a perfect look for her.
ReplyDeleteLowri.
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