Text and photo Laila Duran ©

As we are getting close to Christmas, I keep looking out the window every morning hoping for a light cover of snow in the fields. In many parts of Scandinavia we still haven´t had any snow and I, like many children I know, am waiting impatiently. Last year in December I was in Norway taking photos and the winter was perfect. Cold, crisp, dry snow, just a few inches, enough to cover the dark fields and put a thick layer of ice on the lake. I do enjoy taking pictures in these white settings. The folk costumes, in their often practical choice of fabric, makes it possible for the models to play in the snow without worrying about ruining the beautiful garments. With all the layers of clothes they are also kept warm and comfortable.

The two young ladies are wearing bunads from Røros. The local costume tradition has been heavily influenced by the Biedermeier and the New Roccoco fashions. The jacket are made from black and dark blue broadcloth and have wide leg of mutton sleeves.

The skirts are made of hand woven checkered wool, pleated at the waist. The colorful silk scarves are worn at festive occasions. The caps are rather distinctive with its shaped sidepieces that cover the ears. Married women wear black headdresses while unmarried wear colored ones.

It was much easier to travel during wintertime than in the summer. The frozen lakes were open and a horse and sleigh was used for transport.

The young couple are wearing bunads from Ytre Nordhordaland. The young lady is dressed in a bunad reconstructed from a folk costume worn in the area between 1870 and 1900. Her headdress is called “kvitlue med vøling”. A “vøling” is a piece of cardboard that is fastened to the head before the cap is put on.

To keep her warm during the cold sledge ride she has brought with her a blanket of sheepskin. It is beautifully decorated with a block printed pattern.

At the end of the 19th century, when long trading trips during the winter was common, the men were dressed in coats of wolf or dog fur. The coats are fastened with wide pattern woven fur band placed around the neck, crossed over the chest, wrapped around the back and tied over the stomach.

During the photo shoots at Beitostølen in Norway we were invited to the farm of Torgeir Svalesen. With the help of the experienced coachmen and riders in his small family business, we where able to take photos of both sleigh rides, riding brides and wedding processions.  For more information please visit.    www.fjellrittet.no

The photo shoot was made in cooperation with Norsk Institutt for Bunad og Folkedrakt.

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