Toespraak minister Rianne Letschert (Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap) bij de opening van State of Fashion in Arnhem
Op woensdag 13 mei 2026 sprak minister Rianne Letschert (Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap) bij de opening van State of Fashion Biënnale 2026 in het stadhuis van Arnhem.
Bij deze gelegenheid droeg minister Letschert de jurk die ze ook droeg op het bordes van Paleis Huis ten Bosch bij de beëdiging van het kabinet-Jetten op maandag 23 februari 2026 (zie foto).
Good afternoon everyone,
A little over three months ago, I received a call asking if I would become the next Dutch minister of Education, Culture and Science.
The first word that came to mind was, of course, ‘yes’.
Followed by a slightly less appropriate word that I won’t repeat today, especially not with a royal in our midst.
That particular word popped into my head because I had only two weeks until the cabinet would be officially installed, a million things to do, and absolutely no idea what I was going to wear for the inauguration.
That is when I turned to one of your colleagues.
I called up Dutch designer Christian Lagerwaard from Maastricht.
I think my call went something like: ‘Christian, help me, please.’
Although he would later recall our conversation starting with the words: ‘Could you make me a dress for my inauguration as minister?’
A slightly more appropriate, and certainly more helpful, question.
And let me tell you: he delivered.
Within a matter of days, and with the tremendous help of fashion students, he created this wonderful dress.
A true work of art, which I am fortunate to wear for the second time today.
And I couldn’t have picked a more fitting occasion.
Surrounded by people who give their all to their own creations.
Who understand the value of clothes.
And who know that clothes are not merely garments we throw on to protect ourselves from the elements.
Clothes reflect what we value.
What we want to convey.
Clothes show who we are.
And, in a broader sense, clothing connects us.
Of course, we all wear them.
But this connection goes beyond that.
Design is a universal language.
One that we all speak, though in different dialects.
Dear people,
This is why I am so glad that you are all here today.
To hear those different dialects, those different perspectives on fashion and the world behind it.
I am also extremely proud, as the minister of not only Culture but also Education, that fashion students are here as well.
The theme for this year’s State of Fashion is ‘Available to Promise’.
For me, the promises in this room are the designers of today, but also those of the future.
The people who are immersing themselves in the world of textiles and design.
Who take a critical look at the fashion industry and consider what can be improved.
And who may discover the textiles of the future, helping to create a cleaner, more innovative, and more sustainable fashion industry.
To achieve this goal, we all have a part to play.
As government, industry, and also as individuals.
Whether that is by shopping vintage, or getting creative with our clothes.
For example, this will be the second and last time you’ll see this dress in this form.
Christian Lagerwaard will take it apart and transform it into a new design, making it more suitable for everyday wear.
Breathing new life into this dress, and ensuring that I will wear its reincarnated version for years to come.
For now, I hope you all have an inspiring and promising State of Fashion.
Thank you!