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EVENING DRESSES

These are three evening dresses worn by Queen Maud between 1907 and 1909. They are all made in the fashionable style of the time, known as 'Princess style', with the bodice and skirt cut in one piece. On the left is a gown of rose pink silk, with lace embroidered in silk and metal thread, glass beads and diamanté. On the right is a dress of pale yellow silk, with an overdress of tulle embroidered with a variety of golden beads and sequins. The ice-green silk dress in the centre was made by Laferrière, a leading name in Paris fashion between 1880 and 1910. It is embroidered in green and silver, and one side of the front drapes asymmetrically over the other. A photograph taken in 1909 shows Queen Maud wearing this dress.		Three evening gowns, 1907-9, OK 6-1962, OK 13-1962, OK 4-1962 The National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design: Stiftelsen Kunstindustrimuseet i Oslo. Teigens Fotoatelier AS
By the 1920s, hemlines had shortened to just below the knee, even for formal evening dresses. This dress of black chiffon in the popular shift style shows that Queen Maud was following the latest fashions at the age of 58! It is embroidered with tassels of beads and sequins that would have danced and swirled with her every movement. It was probably worn at the annual dinner for Members of Parliament in Oslo in January 1927.		Evening dress, Blancquaert, c.1927, OK 210-1991 The National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design: Stiftelsen Kunstindustrimuseet i Oslo. Teigens Fotoatelier AS
By the early 1930s, hemlines for evening dress were floor length again and waistlines had returned to their natural place. At the same time, fashion revived its interest in antique Grecian dress, with new interpretations of draped and pleated styles. This evening gown characterises the new classicism and suited Queen Maud's taste in dress.		Evening dress, c.1932, OK 33-1962 The National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design: Stiftelsen Kunstindustrimuseet i Oslo. Teigens Fotoatelier AS