Queen Sonja’s consecration dress
Erik Mortensen · 1991
Erik Mortensen
- Paris couture
- Embroidered eveningwear
Erik Mortensen trained in Denmark before joining Pierre Balmain in Paris in 1947. He became a close collaborator and succeeded Balmain as the house’s creative leader in 1982, later designing for Jean-Louis Scherrer.
Five looks to know
Collection selection
Queen Sonja’s consecration dress
Consecration of King Harald V and Queen Sonja, 1991
Mortensen designed this ceremonial ensemble for Queen Sonja. The museum separately credits Anna Bratland with making the dress and cape and May Aubert with the headpiece.
Nasjonalmuseet; see object record for photograph attribution
Collection selection
Black-and-gold evening dress with diagonal embellished band
Date not stated; exhibited 2017 · Haute couture — season not stated
A sequinned black bodice meets a gold skirt across a diagonal ornamental band. Published in Designmuseum Danmark’s press selection for its Erik Mortensen retrospective.
Pernille Klemp / Designmuseum Danmark
Collection selection
Black tiered dress with an oversized neckline bow
Date not stated; exhibited 2017 · Haute couture — season not stated
A large bow and horizontal ruffles give a short black dress its sculptural outline. Published in Designmuseum Danmark’s press selection for its Erik Mortensen retrospective.
Pernille Klemp / Designmuseum Danmark
Collection selection
Diagonal-striped textured jacket and dark skirt
Date not stated; exhibited 2017 · Haute couture — season not stated
A densely textured jacket contrasts with a plain dark skirt. Published in Designmuseum Danmark’s press selection for its Erik Mortensen retrospective.
Pernille Klemp / Designmuseum Danmark
Collection selection
Black evening ensemble with large puffed sleeves
Date not stated; exhibited 2017 · Haute couture — season not stated
Voluminous sleeves and a sharp pale neck tie punctuate a long black silhouette. Published in Designmuseum Danmark’s press selection for its Erik Mortensen retrospective.
Pernille Klemp / Designmuseum DanmarkCollections & archive pieces
1 collections represented · 1 pieceConsecration of King Harald V and Queen Sonja, 1991
1 piece
About Erik Mortensen
His couture combined exacting workmanship with dramatic evening silhouettes, embroidery and rich fabrics, especially black velvet and chiffon. Royal commissions formed another part of his practice. The dress he designed for Queen Sonja’s consecration in 1991 illustrates the collaborative nature of couture, with the museum distinguishing Mortensen’s design from the specialist makers who realized the ensemble.