The formal reception at the Royal Palace in honor of the visit of Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq, became one of the most talked-about events. The grand gala dinner, held in the largest hall in Western Europe, brought together the elite of Spanish society. Members of the government, prominent cultural figures, and, of course, business titans were all in attendance. The dress code dictated tuxedos for men and full-length evening gowns for ladies.
Queen Letizia, as the evening’s hostess, set the tone for the entire event. She chose a voluminous gown in a deep cobalt hue by The 2nd Skin. The outfit covered her arms and legs entirely—a gesture widely seen as a respectful nod to the Omani delegation, which included no women. Most of the invited women followed her example, opting for reserved, conservative styles. The entire evening was imbued with an atmosphere of modesty and diplomatic courtesy.
Yet amid this sea of refined restraint, one figure stood out especially brightly. All eyes were on Esther Alcocer Koplowitz, the Marquise de Casa Peñalver. As chairwoman of construction giant Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas (FCC), she chose not to follow the prevailing mood. She arrived arm in arm with her husband, wearing a form-fitting brick-colored satin dress.
Her outfit, adorned with delicate drapery reminiscent of an ancient tunic, boldly exposed her arms, which was a striking contrast to the looks of the other guests. Esther Alcocer, known for her strong character, completed her appearance with loose blonde hair, a gold bracelet, and a clutch. She was the only one who dared to take such a bold step by protocol standards.
This choice was hardly accidental or a fashion misstep. Rather, it was a deliberate statement. While the other ladies followed the royal example, Alcocer stayed true to her own style and her status as a powerful businesswoman. Perhaps her outfit was a strategic move ahead of business meetings aimed at strengthening economic ties between Spain and Oman. In a world where clothing often speaks louder than words, Esther Alcocer made it clear that she plays by her own rules.
