Husfliden Trondheim: Creating living history and national identity, one bunad at a time

By Molly McPharlin | Photos: Husfliden Trondheim

If you find yourself in Norway on 17 May, you might wonder why so many people are dressed in traditional attire. These are bunads—elaborate folk costumes worn on significant national holidays. In this case, 17 May marks Norwegian Independence Day, one of the most popular occasions to wear a bunad. Many of these intricate, handcrafted garments come from Husfliden Trondheim, a boutique specialising in bunads for both men and women.

Husfliden first opened in 1887 as an association of friends creating clothing and home design together. By the early 20th century, bunads were worn around the country as a sign of Norwegian independence from Denmark. They also became a symbol of local and regional identity and belonging. “In Trøndelag, the region of the country where Trondheim lies, the bunad was designed based on a rich foundation of handicrafts and history,” says Vibeke Furu, the CEO of Husfliden. “It represents cultural heritage, family, craftsmanship and diversity.”

All embroidery in a bunad is done by hand down to the last stitch.

With designs differing from place to place, there are now around 450 styles of bunad in Norway. Often, you can tell by the choice of bunad where a person comes from or which part of the country their family descends from. “It’s a festive garment,” says Furu. “People wear them around Christmas especially, but also for confirmations, graduations, all types of family celebrations. Men and women even choose to marry in them.” Because they are adjustable, the bunad can be worn throughout someone’s life or can even be passed down from generation to generation.

Husfliden’s bunads are made from Norwegian wool and linen and sewn by hand in store. Though the boutique specialises in creating bunads that represent the Trøndelag region, Husfliden carries out repairs and re-stitching on bunads from all over the country. In addition to bunads, Husfliden also sells accessories that complete the costume: pieces of silver, shoes, headwear, shawls, and bags. Besides the bunad and all that goes with it, Husfliden also stocks Norwegian wool for knitting, wool blankets, textiles, hand-knit mittens, socks, slippers, and other gift items.

Furu says that though Husfliden primarily creates bunads for customers based in Norway, they also taking an increasing number of orders from people all over the world. “Many people are now interested in Norwegian history and culture. They visit the country and see the quality of our craft and decide they would like a piece of Norway’s cultural heritage back home.”