This is a follow up article about the designer Jesper Høvring and what goes on behind the scenes in regards to designs and Mary.
https://www.bt.dk/royale/jesper-hoevring-designer-kjoler-for-mary-saadan-er-de-kongeliges-uskrevne
It is often a puzzle, because how is the dress to be designed? There are a number of considerations to take into account. And what if others of his costumers are to attend the same event as Mary?
46 year old Jesper Høvring doesn't make the dresses, he draw and designs them.
There are only few rules set in stone though.
"I tend to believe that as a rule, if it's an event by the Queen, like the Queen's birthday, then Princess Marie and the Crown Princess were something recycled. Because then it's the Queen who must shine.
At the New Year Court at the other hand, that is more for everybody, then they can have something new made."
When Jesper Høvring is to create a dress for Mary, it takes place in close co-operation with Mary' stylist, Anja Alajdi. They discuss the style and function the dress must have.
"If the Crown Prince for example is to wear the Order of the Elephant, then the dress cannot by asymmetrical across the shoulders and if it's during the winter it may have long sleeves."
Often Mary and the stylist have decided what jewels to wear and that may influence the design and color of the dress.
"It's after all something historical when I stand with the ruby parure over the head of the Crown Princess to see if it match the color, or when I stand with the Order of the Elephant at Amalienborg."
Jesper Høvrings doesn't always know for what event he is designing a dress and if the clients don't tell him, he never asks.
"Discretion is important and I believe that the information I need to know, I will be told."
Because he also designs dresses and outfits that are used by Mary at private events and which may not be known by the press.
As he also designs dresses for ministers, celebs and other high profile persons it happens that dresses are similar. Also at the same party.
"But that's why I don't color-co-ordinate. I base the design on my costumer and ask what they would like to wear."
As far as he knows there are no rules regarding the colors in regards to dresses worn by Mary and our Marie in relation to what QMII is wearing.
It also happens that he designs a dress, but then something changes.
That happened with a dress for Mary at a wedding in Sweden, where the weather suddenly became so warm, that Mary chose another.
"The Crown Princess can easily put on a dress that I have no idea she will be wearing. Perhaps she puts on a ten year old dress. And then I can have a costumer, for whom I have made something similar."
Mary often recycle her dresses and that means Jesper Høvring have several times remade his own designs or that of others.
Mary wore and Orange and green dress and the wedding of CP Victoria.
"That was afterwards made into a dress she wore in New York later. There it was more sexy."
Sometimes it's the other way around, a sexy dress is made more modest.
That happened with a blue dress Mary had seen at a show at Nimb, which Mary would like to have.
"Then we made a new upper part for it, that wasn't see-through, so that it could be used for a court."
Even though he mainly makes dresses for Mary it happens that she buys standard outfits from the shelves as well. Like suits.
"She's allowed to buy from the standard collection six months before everybody else."
And the DRF are paying costumers like everybody else.
Jesper Høvring is not at all displeased with M&F having two daughters.
"It sure could be fun, if they could use some of it (Mary's clothes), so that it could be made to fit them instead."
