The performance Vástádus eana – The answer is land has been touring since 2021 and the company therefore chose to renew the costumes. Line Maher is a costume designer from Oslo and has designed individual costumes for all performers based on the original idea of black costumes and inspired by the silhouette of the gákti (sámi traditional clothing).
The red hats from the original design are still included, and are additionally complimented by red Njálfáhtta designed by Ann Majbritt Eriksen. The Njálfáhtta is a traditional Sámi poncho worn by women together with the traditional hat ládjogahpir (Hornlue in Norwegian)
Quote from Line Maher:
“In my costume design for Vástádus eana – The answer is land, I wanted the costumes to support the strength of the female performers and to reflect the performance’s theme which addresses the importance of society and nature around us. The audience has the opportunity to observe the performers very closely and far away, which provides an interesting opportunity for detail in the costumes. I like the idea that the audience can discover new things about the costumes as the show plays.”
“The costumes are not everyday clothing because I wanted to create something special, a textile expression that joins individualism with kinship, and history with contemporary – inspired by nature and Sámi clothing. Apart from all the lovely Sámi details in red, the color black was wanted in the main part of the costumes and I have used many different textiles and techniques to bring the costumes to life in the stage lighting. My main aim has been to try to capture the atmosphere and movement of the play in the costumes.”
The new costumes will now be used in all performances going forward and we are looking forward to using these beautiful costumes, concludes choreographer Elle Sofe Sara.
«The audience has the opportunity to observe the performers very closely and far away, which provides an interesting opportunity for detail in the costumes. I like the idea that the audience can discover new things about the costumes as the show plays.»
– Line Maher, costume designer
Costume design
Line Maher
Costume sewing
Caroline Bratt, Johanna Sutinen, Line Maher
Hat sewing
Zoja Galkina, Unni Fjellheim, Sara Inga Utsi Bongo, Karen Inga Buljo Oskal, Jorunn Løkvold, Hilly Sarre
Njálfáhtta design and sewing
Ann Majbritt Eriksen
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Line Maher
Line is a costume designer educated at the Oslo National Academy of the Arts. She has designed costumes for a variety of dance, opera, musical and theatrical performances. She has previously designed costumes for FRIKAR Company and Nagelhus Schia Productions where she worked with choreographers such as Damien Jalet and Erna Omarsdottir, Tom Weinberger and Hege Haagenrud, Kompani Haugesund a.o. She has also designed costumes for the Oscarsborg Opera, Ringsakeroperaen, Oslo Operafestival and for several guest productions at The Norwegian Opera and Ballet, Stage 2, The Nordic Arts Festival and Nordland Teater.
Line also has a BA in history, art and theatre history and an MA in International Politics. She has four children and lived abroad in London, New York and Dublin with her family from 1995-2007. She is currently Oslo based.
In her spear time she relaxes with family and friends and loves to go to museums, for walks in nature and to watch live performances… which also could be considered work!