Belle Epoque Weekend in Kandersteg

[Midge]

Kandersteg is a small town in the Berner Oberland region in Switzerland - very postcard pretty in a truly postcard pretty mountain region of our country (I blogged about a scenic train ride through this region last autumn). To boost business and hotel occupation in winter, they introduced a "Belle Epoque Weekend" some years ago - complete with all sorts of events like balls, icehockey games etc. in period costumes. A schoolfriend of my mom's lives up there, and of course she takes part every year. You can see pictures here: http://www.kandertal.travel/de/page.cfm/belle_epoque/be_impressionen/be_bilder
Of course there are lots of people who buy or rent their costumes, and since we are experiencing an unusually cold winter, there are some people who wear their modern coats over their Belle Epoque costumes outside (too bad!). And of course there will always be other inaccurate things...
My mom's friend however always makes her own costumes! And I think she looks so perfect in them - so very elegant! You can see here here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kandertal/5470296375/lightbox/ she's third from left, the lady in the black fur-decorated cape.

I think this is such a fun idea. I would certainly love to attend this some time - in costume of course . But I don't think I'd have the time to make my own... I've only done historical costumes for my dolls so far.

Karin

 

[Pinkcoke]

Wow what a gorgeous setting! They look fantastic and quite warm! I have a sledge like that but unfortunately I'm too big now to use it! (keeping it for my future kids!)

 

[cmpollack]

What an amazing event! Thanks for sharing the pictures--especially the one with your mom's friend in it. The mountains in the background, the wonderful costumes, that sledge...

Hope you are able to make it there sometime!

 

[Metro Retro Vintage]

Beautiful! And what a wonderfully picturesque setting, and a treat to see everyone's clothing (and the curling looked like fun also).

So what does the rope tied around the waist (during the dance) signify?

 

[TangerineBoutique]

What a wonderful event that must be! I love the idea of period costume and outdoor games. I hope you are able to attend the next one and report back to us with lots of pictures
Thank you for sharing!

Melody

 

[Midge]

@Laura - I don't know if the rope has any significant meaning or if it was more of a gimmick... at least I have no idea .

I somehow oversaw this one - here's a good pic of my mom's friend wearing her really elegant hat: http://picasaweb.google.com/AchimFss/BelleEpoque2012Bobrennen#5700929626986453202 .

The train wagons are old ones too, by the way. They're not usually in use anymore.

Karin

 

[Goth Hobbit]

Oh, that looks like so much fun!