Queen Máxima’s love of design has not gone unnoticed in recent years. As a loyal visitor to Dutch Design Week, she closely follows developments in both the Dutch and international design world.“Designers hold an incredible amount of power in finding solutions to the challenges of our time. You are of great economic value to the Netherlands and we’re good at it!” said Queen Máxima. When Creative Head and DDW co-founder Miriam van der Lubbe asked if she had a message for designers, the Queen replied: “Keep inspiring us, keep asking the questions that need to be asked, and keep connecting people.”
The opening was a dynamic reflection on 25 years of DDW, offering at the same time a positive outlook for the future. In the main hall of DomusDela, 25 people were invited onto the catwalk one by one. To loud applause and cheers, they represented – on behalf of everyone present – the breadth of the design sector and DDW itself. From key figures in Dutch design such as Pauline van Dongen, Maarten Baas, and Joost van Bleiswijk (Kiki&Joost) to long-time volunteer Nico, DDW team members, and Eindhoven’s mayor, Jeroen Dijsselbloem.
This year, the official opening moment did not involve cutting a ribbon or pressing a button. Instead, two dozens of metres-long ribbons were connected to one another. The ribbons were carried from the back of the hall to the front, and once they reached the stage, Van der Lubbe and Queen Máxima tied the ends together. That act of connection, Van der Lubbe noted, symbolised exactly what is most needed in these times. With that, the 25th edition of Dutch Design Week was officially opened.
The anniversary edition of Dutch Design Week, with the theme Past. Present. Possible., will be open to visitors in Eindhoven from Saturday 18 to Sunday 26 October.