On December 10, King Harald, Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit attended 2023 Nobel Peace Prize Banquet held in honour of 2023 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadi. 2023 Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges is imprisoned and is therefore represented by her children. Narges, who is serving a 10-year sentence in Tehran, was honoured the Nobel Peace Prize "for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran."
Stripes like that do not work for an evening gown in my opinion. They are lovely in summer cotton dresses, but that is another matter. - Ellie
ReplyDeleteAgree with Ellie
DeleteI agree. It doesn´t look festive enough. The material might be suited for the gown but the design is lacking. It´s not only the horizontal stripes that make it look too casual; it´s also the non-descript cut, the t-shirt-like neckline and the absence of any embellishment (the buttons at the end of the sleeves are hardly noticable). Most of all though, I feel the dress needs some structuring, ideally a belt or something that marks the waist. As is, it´s a wall of dizzying fabric.
DeleteAt knee length, and with short cap sleeves it could make a fun summer cocktail dress though. I think that a lower, square neckline would also be an improvement.
Agree !!
DeleteVanessa, this is not a "festive" occasion. They are acknowledging a woman who has given up literally everything in her fight for women's rights in Iran. Even Narges' children & husband do not look "festive". It's a very sobering event for all concerned. That said, a lot of us like/wear dark colors all year round. |Melanie|
DeleteI agree. I like M-M’s jewelry and purse, but not the stripes on this dress for this event.
Delete-Royal Watcher
Horizontal strips don't work for anything - period. Why would you ever want to give the illusion of being wider?!
DeleteI'm no fan of horizontal stripes and agree with Anon 20 59 that there's no point in wearing something that makes one look bigger. However, on this occasion, I don't think the dress makes CP Mette-Marit look larger and is actually quite flattering for her.
DeleteIt is simply not true that horizontal stripes always make one look bigger. That is a myth that has taken on a life of its own. Learning about fabrics and patterns can be very valuable.
DeleteAu contraire … I think the horizontal stripes dress is absolutely fantastic and flattering too. I think a princess has every right to stand out at an event and Mette Maritt’s dress is a stunner. I think the simplicity of the cut is perfect for her and for the stripes, the fabric sheen is beautiful, and she has some stunning diamonds too. For the commenter who said it’s a sombre event, no, it’s an annual festivity celebrating the winner at the Grand Hotel in Oslo. That’s not to take away from the hardship or cause of this year’s winner - but just to set the record straight that the banquet is a celebration in honour of the prize winner and is very sparkly. - AnneLise
Delete@ 20:36: I think there are few people who will agree with you that the Nobel banquet is not a festive occasion. Of course it is festive. It is a celebration of outstanding people, honouring them and recognising their efforts with one of the world´s most prestigious prizes. It is also a celebration of the prize´s legacy in itself. Everyone is dressed up in formal attire, no-one will dress down for this occasion. The sobering aspect in all this is the choice of laureate and the reason behind it. This is all acknowledged and brought to the world´s attention during the prize-giving ceremony, for which people dressed differently and accordingly. Mette-Marit´s black dress and Sonja´s dark purple outfit were good choices in that context.
DeleteDear@ Vanessa,
DeleteI agree with you to some extent
Basically, I think there is a remarkable difference between the two events in Norway and Sweden.
In Sweden everything focuses exactly on what you said,
It is a festive occasion and a celebration of outstanding people's achievements in different fields.
In Norway all pivots around a Nobel Peace Prize being awarded to a missing recipient who is currently in prison fighting against theocratic repression and defending human rights.
It is an achievements as well, but entails cruelty, bloodshed and violence against women.
Fashion choices follow accordingly, depending on the meaning and purposes of these substantially different prizes.
In Sweden opulence and regality fashion -wise are showcased and indeed a festive mood is seen at all stages of the ceremony and banquet.
In Norway I see highly symbolic, non- random sartorial choices.
Sorrow and rejection of any form of abuses against women are the focus of any single action throughout the ceremony and the following banquet.
There is no place for celebrating human progress , quite the opposite.
Everyone looks smitten and respect for the victims takes a central role in this event.
To P:
DeleteThank you for your reply which I understand very well. I think you are right in your observation that the two events in Stockholm and Oslo have a different tone which is in part reflected in the sartorial choices. The prize ceremony in Stockholm has always been held in full gala mode, whereas the ceremony in Oslo has always been toned down a bit. This might be due to the locations (totally different venue types: the grand concert hall in Stockholm vs. the town hall in Oslo) and how the organizers approach this event (totally different people in charge: the institutions set out by the Nobel foundation in Sweden vs. a parliament committee in Norway).
Anyway, I have two remarks regarding what you wrote:
a) We were specifically discussing the banquet here, not the prize-giving ceremony. Those are two different events. The banquet is and has always been very festive. I was not discussing the prize-giving ceremony which has a post on its own on this site.
b) The Nobel peace prize, too, is meant to celebrate outstanding achievements, just like the other Nobel prizes. Unfortunately, the Nobel Peace prizes have in recent years been abused as a political tool to support causes and legitimize political action rather than celebrate achievements. Please note (I want to stress this!) that I´m in no way trying to downplay the strength, effort, courage or achievements of the laureate; but as you rightly described yourself, the situation isn´t to be celebrated. It is a very dire, ongoing struggle. This is not what the Nobel Peace Prize was originally set up for.
Dear @Vanessa,
Deletethank you for your reply.
I much appreciate your thoughtful exaustive outline of the two Nobel Prizes and the underlying meaning each of them implies.
It's my pleasure to share views with you.
Sorry, gotta leave now👋👍
Wouah, quel merveilleux changement tant au niveau des tenues que des bijoux ; la reine Sonja est superbe dans l'association fuchia et velours Bordeaux du haut sur lequel elle arbore une broche que j'aurais aimé mieux voir ; cerise sur le gâteau, Mette-Marit est vêtue d'une robe à rayures horizontales qui lui va à merveille, ce qui n'est pas évident pour toutes les silhouettes ; j'adore ses boucles d'oreilles diamants/perles, son bracelet ainsi qu'un ravissant clutch !
ReplyDeleteI love the top half of the Queen's outfit but don't think it goes well with the bright pink skirt.
ReplyDeleteTo me MM's dress appears to be a bit too casual for the event.
I am interested in reading what other people think
Agree as to both.
Delete-Royal Watcher
Very nice to see Mette Marit in something other than her usual prairie dresses. This is a very good structured dress that looks very good on her.
ReplyDeleteAgree!
Delete-B.
Not all can have those horizontal stripes like M-M, she looks good in that dress. The fabric is shiny but not too shiny. Thick silk? The queen looks lovely, purple is a very good colour for her. I also do like her pink skirt.
ReplyDeleteQueen Sonia's outfit looks to me like the wine red bodice belonged one day to another dress and the bright pink skirt has been added recently. Not very attractive in my opinion.
ReplyDeletePrincess Mette-Marit's dress fits her well and she looks good. Unfortunately the stripes are not very becoming for an evening gown. A plain royal-blue dress in the same material would have been very lovely. I love her (new ?) bracelet. I also like her purse, looks special to me.
Love Mette Marit’ unusual dress!
ReplyDeleteOne wouldn’t expect these horizontal stripes in a silk dress, but the effect is great.
Queen Sonja: beautifull combination: the shocking colour of the skirt with the flattering velvet burgundy top.
The gentlemen look good too ( although I am not a fan of blue tuxedos ),
Mabel
MM's gown, looks like a perfect fit for the occasion. While stripes are not commonly seen in evening wear, the material, colour and jewelry, bag, shoes, bring the gown to a level of evening gown status. The Queen appears a little tired in the photos we see, though a photo is just a nano-second of time. Maybe she was caught at the wrong moments. The gentlemen look handsome as ever. Edwina
ReplyDeleteThey both are so beautiful! Q. Sonya's dress is so luxurious looking with the velvet in the rich burgundy and the skirt in the pink satin is so pretty. LOVE IT!! And I also love C.P. Mette's beautiful striped gown which is so different in it's simplicity and tone. Both looks are very different and very beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAuf den zweiten Blick gefällt mir das gestreifte Kleid ausgesprochen gut für Prinzessin Mette Marit. Die Länge ist toll und die Schuhe passen perfekt. Ich mag den König Harald und Prinz Haakon und für die Königin Sonja in pink wow! Die junge Dame mit dem schwarzen Kleid ist auch hübsch aber für so eine Einladung wäre ich vorsichtig gewesen mit diesem Schlitz im Kleid, das gefällt mir nicht. -Dorothe-
ReplyDeleteI love both Q.Sonja's and Mette Marit's dresses. Opposite ends of the style spectrum, but still very suited to each lady and the event in general. Nice!
ReplyDelete- Anon 9:13
I like Mette-Marit's dress. It is a surprise, a positive surprise - and suits well her. The dress must be a couture piece as the stripes continue from dress to sleeves like one stripe and the fit is perfect.
ReplyDeleteThen I must confess that I have a short-sleeved T-shirt in similar colours (cotton jersey, Finnish label Marimekko. As far as I know Marimekko does not make anything in silk at present.) This type of stripes have been extremely popular among various fashion houses throughout years.
Margot
I just love Crown Princess Mette Marit’s striped dress! It is so unexpected, but the cut and the thin stripes fit her perfectly. Does anyone know the brand?
ReplyDeleteQueen Sonja’s colour combination is wonderful, «Barbie» pink for a grown woman. JS
Prison garbs are made out of black and white stripe fabric. Since the Nobel Peace Prize winner is in prison, this appears to be a symbolic choice by Cr. Princess Mette Marit. Bravo to her. Love her smiles in all the photos. Christine
ReplyDelete@anon at 20:28. You might have quite right with your idea about the stripes. A good observation. It's very easy to judge or praise clothes here but often you might find the reason by reading first carefully what it is about.
DeleteI might be wrong but I think that the gowns showcased on this occasion are highly symbolic.
ReplyDeletePink/ hot pink is often associated with women's emancipation.
No random choice has been made in this instance.
Everyone in their best Robes. MM looks great, she looks really healthy. She is a beautiful lady. css
ReplyDeleteI don't like horizontal stripes on gowns or dresses, and this is no different. Especially for a night time event, evening gown/dress. Regardless she looks beautiful and more important, healthy.
ReplyDeleteI like the top half of Q. Sonja's outfit. Her brooch on her jacket is a lovely touch.
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