Queen Letizia looks regal in Felipe Varela repeat for the Planeta de Novela Award

15/10/2021

The King and Queen of Spain presided over the award ceremony of the 'Planeta de Novela Award', a Spanish literary prize, awarded since 1952 by the Spanish publisher Grupo Planeta, on its 70th anniversary, at the Museo Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, Barcelona.

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain presided over the award ceremony of the 'Planeta de Novela Award', a Spanish literary prize on 16 October 2021

In 1952, José Manuel Lara, established a Novel Prize endowed with 40,000 pesetas with the desire to promote Spanish authors. Today the winner is endowed with €601,000, financially, it is the second most valuable literary award in the world after the Nobel Prize for Literature. The 70th edition of the Planeta de Novela Award has had record participation in the history of the award, 654 (Spanish language) novels were received from around the world.

Embed from Getty Images

After the initial greetings, Their Majesties saw a projection commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Planeta de Novela Award. After dinner, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, along with the president of Grupo Planeta, and the finalist, Carmen Posadas, presented the Planeta de Novela Award to the winners 'Carmen Mola', three screenwriters, Agustín Martínez, Jorge Díaz and Antonio Mercero, with the novel 'La Bestia'.

WHAT QUEEN LETIZIA WORE

DRESS: Felipe Varela embroidered midi dress (repeat). First worn for the 2018 Princess of Asturias awards ceremony.

Queen Letizia wore Felipe Varela embroidered midi dress

SHOES: Prada Saffiano leather pumps with added platforms (repeat).

EARRINGS: De Grisogono black diamond teardrop earrings (repeat).

Queen Letizia wears De Grisogono black diamond teardrop earrings

16 Comments

Bertie

17/10/2021 12:39:37 am

The textures and print patterns on this Varela are fascinating, and a wonderful use of monochrome, but I don't care for the large black diamond shapes when viewed from the front. They seem a bit overpowering and add a lot of weight to the dress, which, while a lovely fit-and-flare shape, is also a touch long, the below-the-knee length adding to a sense of heaviness. Same with the black Prada pumps.

The dress fabric is also quite stiff with all that concentrated pattern which adds to weight. I love Letizia's sleek updo and the two-tone De Grisogono diamond drop earrings are a masterly touch. Not my favourite, I hope there are some bigger fans of this here, I need some positive reviews!

Sandy

17/10/2021 07:50:16 am

I stated before this dress is a 'work of art' and should be viewed that way. The overall design, intricate pattern, and ornate beadwork are truly amazing. I have to give credit to Varela for creativity craftsmanship and for capturing that 'wow' factor. The dress will catch your eye whether you like it or not. That being said, I can understand why some would not like it. It may be over the top but Letizia certainly can pull it off. I also love those gorgeous earrings.

Bertie, I hope I changed your outlook?

laura

18/10/2021 04:35:32 am

I agree with all you say, Bertie. The big black diamonds in the middle of the dress look heavy and out of place. If there were only the solid black at the neckline and hem, it would be more balanced. Although I don't love the earrings, they do pick up the motif of the dress. Perhaps a more strappy shoe might have been a better/lighter choice.

Zoe link

18/10/2021 05:03:45 am

Bertie, This dress was created for a specific event. If you go back to the pictures in Asturias, (which show the dress in better lighting) her hair was also styled in the manner of the Asturian headdress. Google the statues of King Pelayo of Asturias and you can see some of the elements in the dress. Where he has the cape over his shoulder is reflected in the dark a part at the top of the dress, There is another statue of him in a textured kilt or whatever it is called with a codpiece in the middle. The textured bits are right at hip level on the statue. Now take another look at that dress. This is truly what fashion in about. Varela reimaging what maybe the 'ladies' of Pelayo's time may have worn. Perhaps, even Bronze Age fashion reimagined. The dress therefore is in some regard being worn out of context. Clearly it was not meant to be a fashion item that other women would go out and buy, just Varela's genius on display. (Yes I believe that her big event pieces are spectacular and he should receive more credit, but some haters create concentric rings of dislike even to people who work with the object of their displeasure) Of course he has his flaws.
There is not much of an option in terms of shoe selection. Maybe a dark bronze to match the patches like the one worn this week.
To sum up, she looked beautiful, and it was good to see her enjoying an evening among fellow creative writers.

Bertie

19/10/2021 05:37:35 am

Thank you very much for your feedback, people, much appreciated, I admit my view has softened somewhat since I went back and examined the close-up shots of the magnificent embroidery, it is indeed a work of art.

I'm still not sure, that whatever the pedigree of symbolism involved, a work of art can qualify as a successful dress. The bodice is absolutely stunning, and I always think Letizia looks beautiful, no matter what she wears, she is so naturally elegant. But I still find the placement of the lower dark panels awkward and unflattering. A lot may rest on lighting of course, and seen in the flesh the dress could be quite incredible, the force of flash-lighting making the dark panels unduly dense. Thank you all so much for helpful and informed discussion.

Ava Pittman

17/10/2021 08:39:40 am

This dress is a work of art, the detail is amazing. The patterning, beadwork, embroidery is masterful. I like the length of this dress. The first wear in 2018 is my favorite. I loved the Queens hair, styled in this manner as opposed to this outing. The diamond chanton earrings she wore previously are gorgeous and offset the dress perfectly, the black teardrop earrings are stunning but IMO, not with this dress. The Saffiano leather pumps I am not a fan of, I preferred the open toe shoes previously worn. Regardless of my feelings, it is marvellous to see this dress again and the Queen looks fabulous.

IntriguedByRoyals

17/10/2021 12:24:14 pm

This dress is growing on me because of the details--the embroidery especially seems to be quintessentially Spanish! I agree with Bertie about the heaviness of the darker diamond shapes around the hips. I feel like a shawl dropped and needs to be repositioned. Everything else is perfection--the shoes, the earrings, the updo!

Ana

19/10/2021 09:10:52 am

Actually It is not "Spanish", España (what you call Spain in English) did not exist yet, It was the year 713. The King Don Pelayo , from the Kingdom of Asturias was descendant of the Visigoths, germanic tribes that reconquered the Iberian Península. It is Asturian, they even play the bagpipes nowadays. Because of that Leonor is Princess of Asturias, Girona ( because of the Kingdom of Aragón) and Viana (because of the Kingdom of Navarra), you can add the Kingdom of Portugal , which was part of España during some years.

Simone

17/10/2021 06:28:42 pm

This dress is a reminiscence of Middle Ages Armours worn in Asturias when the Reconquista of the Iberia Península by the Visigoths, and the King DonPelayo
began and premiered obviously in Asturias, her homeland.
As she broke the tradition of wearing Varela on the National day as Felipe Varela lives currently in París and because of the covid, travelling would have been difficult, she wears Varela today, known they are very good friends and Planeta awards are very important in Catalunya and Spain in general.

Nati

17/10/2021 06:42:21 pm

Wondeful design in anthracite gray, hand embroidered in thread, crystal and midnight blue metal, with short sleeves, midi skirt with a trapezoid line, this spectacular Letizia in It and with Felipe next to her, what to say a beautiful couple, dreamy, Letizia knows wearing the dress has a natural elegance and a perfect silhouette for this type of clothing .
A piece of Art that send us to medieval times in the mountains of Spain. The earings are a traditional piece as well.
And after all, Felipe Varela is in her mind and they love each other. (as Friends, Varela is married to a man...).

Ana

18/10/2021 06:09:20 pm

She is a Queen dressed as a Queen, back in the day, representing the Kingdom of Asturias , when España ( what you call "Spain" in English) and Portugal did not exist yet, however they still forma the Iberian Península .
She is a Queen, not a model so their clothes represent the country most of the time, It is not "only" fashion.

Jennifer F

18/10/2021 11:31:34 pm

If there is ever an exhibition on the Queen's wardrobe (highly unlikely I know), I hope this dress is considered as one of the front-runners to open it. It's breathtaking, in every sense of the word. I have often mentioned here that it is one of the most spectacular pieces that Letizia owns. It's because such creations tell a story, that I hope Felipe Varela returns for National Day and/or the Princess of Asturias Awards. Over the years there have been some overworked ensembles, but overall, Varela has delivered truly elegant garments that are tailored to perfection in quality fabrics. I'm often baffled by the criticism lodged against him. No other designer that Letizia 'regularly' patronizes has created as many stunning looks. It would also be wonderful if Pertegaz and Lorenzo Caprile (among a few others) made inroads for 'very' special occasions.
This dress is a medieval-inspired beauty. Its ornate surface detail glistens from every angle, while the fluted skirt suggests calm and simplicity. The fit of the bodice is impeccable. Its sweetheart shaped design resembles armour and the drop-waist skirt's shield-like shapes are broken by glittering patches of midnight, which one almost feels like they could fall into. The boat neckline is balanced by the dazzling drop earrings which flawlessly fuse into the crystal beading. My only quibble with this ensemble, and 2018, is the shoes. Three years on, I'm still undecided what accessories would complement the dress best. Perhaps, a small muted-pewter box clutch, and deliciously high, navy satin, pointed-toe pumps to allow the bead-work and earrings to shine.

Bertie

19/10/2021 06:54:23 am

Now that is a paean of praise for a dress if ever I saw one. Clearly my clumsy stumbling over those shield shapes needs to be revised! I so agree with you about that quality of the Verela output, there are plenty of other looks I would set aside even for this one. Also agree at how the drop earrings complement the dress pattern. Shoes, however, remain a problem. Perhaps a softer shade than black could help.

Zoe link

19/10/2021 01:04:50 pm

@ Jennifer. There are times when Varela's designs have a wow factor, The midnight blue princess dress and the beaded two piece set worn in Morocco are two of my favorites. .However, Varela is capable of restraint too. It is more than likely that the bespoke dresses the girls wore as tweens in '16 - '18 were made by him with a lot of input from Mom. They were made of quality fabrics, pastel colors to flatter their skin tone, with clean lines, and discreet details such as lace trim, inverted pleats and covered buttons.(See events in Asturias).
The Queen has returned briefly to the house of Pertegaz, but the ship may have sailed for Caprile. His creations relied mainly on the same theme. Exposed shoulders, nipped at the waist and a lot of volume at the hips, with brocade and taffeta as the staples. Those outfits really did not suit her aesthetic. Some looked like a throwback to the Victorian era. She was probably dressing as someone's idea of what a royal lady should look like. In addition, she has to manage on a lower budget than her peers. In spite of that she still manages to hold our interest with her innate elegance and ability to make clothing in different price ranges look (almost) haute couture.

Jennifer F

19/10/2021 11:44:34 pm

Hi Zoe, I completely agree! When Varela gets it right the results are outstanding! The two outfits you mention are also two of my favourites, amongst many others. I would love to believe that Varela is now dressing the Princesses. The bespoke dresses you mention certainly have Varela hallmarks with well-judged restraint befitting young ladies. There are three pieces I adore by Lorenzo Caprile: the red gown worn at F&M's wedding in Denmark on 14/05/04, the red gown worn at C&C's official dinner in Madrid on 30/03/11 and the black & white separates worn at the Israeli gala dinner in Madrid on 07/11/17. I'm not familiar with all of their collaborations, so I'm sure there are garments that I would consider overworked (clearly I need to do more research!). Currently, it's hard to predict which fashion houses Letizia will endorse (other than Boss, Inditex, Adolfo Dominguez etc) - the road ahead will be interesting! I agree, generally, Letizia does extremely well with her working wardrobe, her infinite grace is a huge factor!

Simone

20/10/2021 12:25:55 am

And she has said that she does not need more money, so her salary will be the same next year.

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Queen Letizia looks regal in Felipe Varela repeat for the Planeta de Novela Award

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