The month of May is high season for bunad. At this time of year, thousands of young people will be confirmed every weekend. In addition, National Day is just around the corner. About 70 per cent of Norwegian women have a bunad, and it has almost become a tradition for girls to get a bunad for confirmation. Emilie Christoffersen (14) confirmed herself last weekend. Not in bunad, but in a home-made party suit. NORDLANDSSØLV: Mother Trine Olsen has given her old bunad silver to Emilie, and helps her fasten the brooch. Photo: Malin Nygård Solberg / news Festive costume with history At first the family had intended to buy Nordlandsbunad for Emilie, but mum Trine Olsen says they walked away from it because Emilie has not finished growing. The idea for a home-made party suit came when Olsen saw a post on Facebook where someone had done the same. Together they began looking over old fabrics from Emilie’s grandmother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and landed on a combination of cold winter colours. – I took the ones that fit best together, the ones that were nicest, says Emilie. Swipe to see where the various fabrics come from: The party dress is sewn by Humør Quilten, the sewing club Emilie’s grandmother was a part of before she died. – I am very happy with how it turned out. They have been very good at sewing it, says a proud Emilie. – Do you think you’ll still want bunad when you grow up? – I do not know. I’m going to use this for as long as possible, then we’ll see if bunad becomes a theme again. The fact that the suit is composed of fabrics from the family also means a lot to mum Trine. She describes her grandmother, grandmother and great-grandmother as strong, independent and beautiful ladies. NAME PAG: Emilie carries the memory of her grandmother in her party dress bag, which is sewn from her old apron with a name tag. Photo: Malin Nygård Solberg / news “Commemorative dress” Ingrid Bergtun, recycling influencer and founder of Fæbrik, believes that the emotional value of a party dress can be great. – You may have tablecloths for people you love, but who you don’t want to use as a tablecloth. Which you can finally use for something really beautiful. – Someone called the party suit a commemorative suit, which we think is really nice. Fæbrik is a company that, among other things, sells sewing patterns, and the party costume pattern is one of their most popular products. Since launching last year, they have sold approximately 5,000 recipes for the suit. NO RULES: Ingrid Bergtun believes that many people like the party suit because it does not follow specific rules – like the bunad does. Photo: Are Næsset Fewer rules than the bunade The party dress has become more and more popular in recent years, and Bergtun believes it is because it does not follow a specific set of rules. – I think that a lot of people think it’s fun to be able to be completely free. Bunaden comes with a lot of rules. – Bunaden is expensive and you have to come from this and that place, or have roots. The party suit is like a sanctuary where you can do whatever you want with it, says Bergtun. Last year, over 100 people turned up when Fæbrik invited a fancy dress party in Frognerparken. Photo: ADLER She says that Norwegians are often traditional when it comes to color and clothing choices. – While with the party costume, we find that people completely take off and wear all their favorite colours. – Do you think the party suit will become more popular in the future? – I think this is really just the beginning. On to something absolutely fantastic. We think so, says Bergtun. What will you wear on May 17 this year? Bunad Party Dress Another finstas Can’t be bothered to dress me up Show result Good feedback On 6 May, Emilie was confirmed and received a lot of good feedback on the unique party dress. – There were a lot of people who said that it is nice, and like that there is a nice meaning behind it. Emilie with brother Ravn Atle, mum Trine and dad John Einar on the terrace after Emilie’s confirmation. Photo: Private
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Emilie (14) got a costume from her grandmother’s old curtains – news Nordland
