Protesters in Istanbul, photo courtesy Guardian
While their peers in Istanbul and Cairo are mastering the ABC of political protests, the young boys of Amsterdam indulge in arts-y pursuits lounging languorously in hip hotel suites: playing the cello, reading sheet music, sketching and contemplating.
Big fashion cities have Vogue Shopping Night Out.
Here in The Hague, an international fashion city in the making, we have to content with just the Shopping Night
Unfortunately this time I could not go out and see what was going on in the city centre where all the activities were concentrated, but John of the Hollywood to Holland kept me updated and wrote a great review. You can read it here
As John pointed out the night attracted big crowds of people but was not on the level of the previous two editions. Well, with all the construction going on it is little wonder.
Statistically South Holland province, the final leg on the royal tour of the provinces, has the highest number of sunny days a year. Yesterday, alas, did not happen to be one of them. The sky was fifty shades of grey. And rain, turning at times into annoying drizzle, was incessant. But it had absolutely no effect on the enthusiasm of royal family fans who turned out in huge numbers to wave and cheer along the royal visit route.
The red ensemble assorted with a turban hat Queen Maxima chose to wear provided a boisterous injection of colour amid the sea of black of official suits, plastic rain overalls and orange paraphernalia.
After a whirlwind tour of the provinces following King Willem Alexander’s inauguration on the 30th of April, the royal couple finally arrives in The Hague.
Judging by the programme revaled by Omroepwest.nl Friday, June 21 is promising to be a grand day packed with fun and celebrations. It starts at 16.20 in Zoetermeer where the royal couple will be treated to a spectacle of sports including demonstrations of water sports, snow sports, skating, climbing, golfing to be concluded by a performance of a local musician. A lot of action?
Yes, indeed, considering that the whole Zoetermeer visit lasts just 30 minutes!
But… the tour must go on and there is so much more to do and see in The Hague.
My latest contribution to the ACCESS magazine
At the Academy Awards ceremony last February Helen Hunt did not make the best dressed list of the Oscars fashion police. Instead she made fashion history. The actress eschewed an haute couture creation in favour of an H&M dress. The strapless navy blue gown with a train though perfectly on trend was not a ground breaking fashion statement. But its “fair” credentials were statement worthy.