Photos: “It Was Not Difficult to Dress Mrs. Finnbogadóttir”

Opera singer Hreinn Líndal was responsible for dressing former President Vigdís Finnbogadóttir during her early years in office. Their professional relationship blossomed into a lasting friendship, and Líndal enlisted top fashion houses like Cerruti 1881, Valentino, and Hermès to design her wardrobe.

“ At the time Vigdís Finnbogadóttir was elected president, I was running the fashion house H. Líndal on Skólavörðustígur,” says Líndal. “ This was in the early 1980s, and my store was styled after the high- end fashion boutiques of Europe. I had strong ties with fashion houses in France and Italy and was committed to offering the finest products. My collection featured an extensive range from Cerruti 1881, as well as pieces from Hermès and Valentino.”

Líndal says he felt compelled to help the newly elected president with her attire, especially given his connections with these prestigious designers. “ I reached out to her, and she was very grateful,” he recalls. “ I have fond memories of those years and of Vigdís Bjarnadóttir, who worked in the President’s Office for a long time.”

Their collaboration began when President Finnbogadóttir visited his store. They discussed her wardrobe needs and the official visits on her calendar. “ I remember taking a lovely outdoor photograph of her, which I sent to the designers and tailors I worked with, so they could get a sense of who she was.”

" In m y m ind, I w as d ressing a q ueen"

For the president’s first official visit— an invitation from Queen Margrethe of Denmark— Líndal wanted to create something special. With more than 200 international photographers expected at a formal dinner, he knew the moment demanded a standout piece.

“ I traveled to Florence, which was a major hub for fashion at the time and home to Valentino’s headquarters,” he says. “ There I met two elegant older women who ran the store. They considered it a great honor for Valentino to design a dress for the world’s first elected female president.”

Mrs. Finnbogadóttir wore the dress at Queen Margrethe’s banquet, delivering a beautiful speech and leaving a strong impression. “ She looked like royalty. I was immensely proud. In my mind, I was dressing a queen,” says Líndal. “ She was extraordinarily beautiful, with a warm and graceful personality. Everything she did, she did with care. She always carried herself with poise.”

As a gesture of thanks, she later gave him a Royal Copenhagen vase.

A c urator of beauty

Líndal’s home reflects his refined taste— filled with carefully chosen items, the scent of Bvlgari perfume in the air, and a grand piano inviting music into the space. He typically wears garments from Loro Piana, an Italian luxury fashion house known for its fine fabrics.

“ I’ve always had an eye for beautiful clothing,” he says. “ And dressing Mrs. Finnbogadóttir was never difficult. I insisted on working only with fashion houses that would design with her personality and international role in mind. Every garment had to be unique— no mass production. That was part of the agreement.”

The b lue Valentino d ress of water s ilk

One of Líndal’s favorite pieces was the iconic blue silk dress that the president wore during her visit to King Carl Gustaf of Sweden.

“ I sketched out the concept and took it to the Valentino team. They designed it to her measurements, based on the photograph I always carried. The dress had thick velvet sleeves, so I commissioned a matching cape made of water silk. A small doll was later created wearing that dress, which I still cherish.”

He also recalls another dress worn by Mrs. Finnbogadóttir when she sat beside Nancy Reagan at the wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles. “ It was a rose- colored silk dress, and since she wasn’t fond of hats, I had a beautiful headpiece made to match.”

Another favorite piece was a jacket from Hermès. “ She wore it often— it suited her perfectly.”

A l ifelong f riendship

Their collaboration led to a deep and lasting friendship. “ When I think of Mrs. Finnbogadóttir, I feel warmth, gratitude, and respect. From the beginning, we shared a loyal bond. I made many visits to Bessastaðir, which she turned into a true home. There was always warmth there.”

What did she teach him? “ Gratitude, respect, and trust. She also modeled tireless dedication and always gave her best.”

Self-r espect in dressing w ell

Líndal firmly believes that national leaders— and citizens— should dress with dignity. “ Wearing proper clothing to events like the theater or weddings is a way of showing respect, both to others and to oneself.”

How does he see the dress code today compared to back then?

“ Sometimes I feel that respect is fading,” he says. “ When I look at Alþingi, for example, I think all the men should wear ties. It shows respect for their role and for the people they represent.”

Now, he doesn’t buy many new clothes, but he still has a well- kept wardrobe. “ I don’t follow trends— I just stay true to myself. I’ve learned that you can’t change others, only yourself. And clothing does make the person. It’s always worth remembering: buying cheap can turn out to be expensive— for both your wallet and the environment.”