First Lady Eliza Reid wore an impressive Icelandic national costume (skautbúningur) at the presidential inauguration in Alþingishús, the Icelandic parliamentary building, yesterday.
The Costume was sewn by many artists. Not only is it a piece of art, but also historical for the fact that it’s made out of the national costumes of two former first ladies, according to RÚV.
Photo: Zoë Robert.
The blouse comes from Dóra Þórhallsdóttir, late President Ásgeir Ásgeirsson’s wife. It was sewn in 1952.
The skirt used to belong to Halldóra Eldjárn, the wife of late President Kristján Eldjárn.
Jakobína Thoroddsen (1905-1981) sewed the ribbons of the blouse with a golden thread in a buttercup pattern made by painter Sigurður Guðmundsson.
Elísabet Einarsdóttir (1897-1985) sewed the decoration on the skirt, a pattern of brambleberries, also by Sigurður Guðmundsson.
Photo: Zoë Robert.
Þorbjörg Jónsdóttir (1889-1976) sewed the costume, both the blouse and the skirt.
Goldsmith Guðmundur Helgi Guðnason (1884-1953) made the brooch, the belt and the buttons.
Unnur Ólafsdóttir (1897–1983) made the hem and the veil.
The different parts of the costume were put together by Oddný Kristjánsdóttir.
