Fashion, design and Mette-Marit

As a country, Norway has not long had a royal family of its own. For hundreds of years they were part of either the Danish or Swedish political sphere, and as such were not an independent country. However, that all changed in 1905 when they finally broke away from Sweden and asked a Danish prince if he would like to become their King. Thus Prince Carl of Denmark became King Haakon of Norway. and the Norwegian royal family was created. King Haakon was married to Princess Maud of England (daughter of Edward VII), so they have links to the British royal house as well as the Danish and Swedish royal houses too. They have so far had three kings, Haakon, Olav and now Harald, all held in affectionate esteem. Gradually though, the feeling that Norway should have a royal family is diminshing, particularly since Crown Prince Haakon married Mette-Marit in 2001.

Mette-Marit is a commoner, who when she met Prince Haakon was an unmarried mother with a three year old son, who had mixed alot with people who went clubbing and did drugs. Not an unusual story, but often it is not the kind of background royal families want to have on their family tree! Generally, though with her charity work and other activites, Mett-Marit has endeared herself to a certain extent with most Norwegians, but the one area which many have difficulty in understanding her is her luxury wardrobe. The family of the Crown Prince are entitled to a state 'salary', which apparently is increasing each year, and some are questioning whether Norway should be spending money in this way.

Maybe it is a case of clothes envy, but recent newspaper reports have squarely pointed the finger of consumerism at Mette-Marit, whio seems to have a penchant for buying very high end coouture dresses by such designers as Valentino, Gianbattista Valli, Prada, etc., and thinks nothing of buying expensive designer label shoes and handbags. It isn't good enough that she gets some of the dresses for free (hidden advertising scream the tabloids) or at a discount. Where they ask are the Norwegian designers when it comes to Mett-Marit's wardrobe?

Where was she at Norwegian Fashion Week in February? Why is she so obsessed with foreign fashion designers? Why indeed. I must admit though I do have a problem in identifying any Norwegian clothes designers. Maybe it's an excuse to go to Oslo in August, and try and get into the Oslo Fashion Week shows!! Actually when you look on the list of designers they represent, there are quite a few, with many operating under company names rather than individual names as you mught expect to see in London, Paris or Milan!!

Here's the link to Oslo fashion week, 12-18th August 2013 www.oslofashionweek.com

I wonder if Mette-Marit will actually be there this year? Or maybe, some of the Norwegian designers should actually start marketting their clothes towards her - but maybe that doesn't sit too well in the Norwegian psyche. I feel that Norwegians tend to understate themselves, and are really bad at promoting themselves, the prevailing thought being that if you like my stuff you will come to me to buy it!

One more thing - Prince Haakon may never become the next King of Norway. He has publically stated that when his turn comes he will ask for a referendum on whether or not the prople want him to become their next King!