Princess Sofia of Sweden called upon a breathtaking Yves Klein blue gown custom-made for her Vogue Scandinavia cover shoot to re-wear for the prestigious Nobel Prize banquet. "Seeing Princess Sofia in the gown, radiating grace and confidence, was truly humbling and rewarding," Danish designer Soeren Le Schmidt said of the fashion moment
Princess Sofia of Sweden celebrated her 40th birthday just days ago, and it's safe to say she marked the occasion with aplomb – starring on the cover of Vogue Scandinavia's Dec-Jan issue. The feature story (fittingly spread across 40 pages) saw Princess Sofia don a confection of gowns and designer pieces, three of which were custom-created by Danish designer Soeren Le Schmidt. One of the trio, which the Princess wore in photos taken in her childhood village of Älvdalen, is unmissable for its striking hue of Yves Klein blue – cut with asymmetrical pleats and draping around the waist and shoulders to ensure comfort and fluidity for her pregnant figure.
Now, one week after the magazine's release, Princess Sofia has selected the gown for the proceedings of the 2024 Nobel Prize Awards and Banquet. The designer, Le Schmidt, tells Vogue Scandinavia he is touched by the choice, describing the "incredible honour" he feels to see the design worn "at such a meaningful and high profile occasion." "As a designer, moments like these remind me about why I'm passionate about creating timeless, elegant pieces. Seeing Princess Sofia in the gown, radiating grace and confidence, was truly humbling and rewarding."
Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TT
Princess Sofia arrives to the Nobel Prize banquet at City Hall with medicine laureate Gary Ruvkun. Photo: Christine Olsson/TT
Le Schmidt goes on to describe his "close and thoughtful" collaboration with royal to bring the design to life. "Princess Sofia has a strong sense of style, so it was important that the gown reflected both her personal taste and the formality of the event. We discussed everything from fabric choice to silhouette to ensure it felt uniquely hers while remaining timeless and refined," he says.
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Photo: Hasse Neilsen
Despite being beautifully captured on the pages of Vogue Scandinavia and observed across the world at the Nobel proceedings, Le Schmidt notes there are subtleties in the gown's designs that may go unnoticed. "The subtle use of textured fabric and hand-finished elements add depth and richness to the otherwise minimalist design," he says. "The placement of seams and the precision of the tailoring were carefully considered to enhance the gown’s architectural elegance while allowing freedom of movement — a balance that defines my approach to design."