Village Queens . The last women in traditional peasant garbs. Extended

This extended version of "Village Queens" includes portraits of women in in Alsatia/France and in the Black Forest, Hesse, Bavaria, Schaumburger Land and Lusatia in Germany. The pictures are from 2008 until 2017. In former times traditional peasant garbs were very common in many parts of Germany. Different kinds of dresses served as clothing for everyday use or for special occasions like marriage, Christian holidays or funerals. In 2008 I have started my ongoing photography project about these old women in traditional peasant garbs. They have worn different specific regional country clothing in everyday life, at home or in church. I’ve been travelling through different rural regions in Germany and Alsatia to take portraits of the old ladies and to interview them. In a few years this kind of living will die out and only women in country folklore clubs will wear these traditional regional garbs like a costume, but not in everyday life.