Text and photo Laila Duran ©
Shoes and stockings might not be the first thing which comes to mind when presenting a regional costume, but it is often the details that give distinctive character to the costume. These hand-made shoes, which belong to a regional costume from Norra Ny in Värmland, western Sweden, are made with a preserved 19th century original as a model. The black stockings made from fine wool in two-end-knitting have embroidered leaves at the ankles, and are held in place by charming plaited garters in black and bright yellow wool.
The shoes are single-lasted, which means that the wright and the left shoe are made on the same last. When the shoes were new they both had the same symmetrical shape, in contrast to modern shoes.
The soles of the shoes are made of several layers of birch bark with a leather sole on the outer side.
The black skirt has a red facing at the hem. A green woolen apron belongs to the costume
The white hat is a sign that the woman from Norra Ny is married.
In addition to the embroidery the stockings have a red border at the top. The color of the garter follows the 19th century original.
More than a hundred invited guests arrived wearing their bunads.
Beautifully exhibited, the visitors are shown several bunads of the reconstructed versions from the 18th and 19th century until today.
Curator of the Institute, Anne Kristin Moe is applauding her colleagues for their good work, while director of “Bunad og folkedraktrådet”, Kjærsti Gangsø, officially opened the exhibition.
After the opening I had my first experience of signing copies of my book.
Apart from the book there were Scandinavian Folklore calendars, posters and postcard.
I do not know which was more spectacular, the book or the visitors?
Even though the book is quite heavy to carry many of the visitors bought more than one copy. These ladies from Sunnfjord are bunad producers at Audhild Vikens Vevestove.
Director of “Bunad og folkedraktrådet”, Kjærsti Gangsø in her blue Nordlandsbunad. For more information about the exhibition please visit