Sweet shine

I've come to realise that I make most of my fashion choices based on how things feel on my skin. My hypersensitivity/neurosis (a rose by any other name) guides me naturally towards flowing lines and soft fabrics. A touch of silk next to one's skin has proven to be nature's strongest antidepressant. To balance all this softness and flowy-ness, my feet are happiest encased in leather, with a tall heel underneath.

The neurotic fashion fan gets into trouble when it comes to accessorizing and jewellery. Forget belts, forget skinny scarves - both are suffocating. Forget any bag you can't wear across your body - my hands and arms need to be free! All the time! (Hats and large scarves provide safety, as do big sunglasses, so they are ok - but never wear all three at the same time.)

As to jewellery, I can wear rings on all my fingers, but bracelets are a no-no - My arm looks and feels like it's cut in half, you know? (What do you mean, you don't?) I adore combining necklaces, pendants, chains and chokers - on someone else. On me, large necklaces feel heavy and bounce awkwardly on my chest and I hate seeing shiny bits when I look down. And the clinking sound they make! On the other hand, tiny, fragile, dainty pieces look a bit funny on someone emphatically not tiny and dainty.

Or so I thought before falling in love with a very special, tiny bit of oxidized silver (by Andromedii, at Etsy).



It has "random patterns on each of its wild yet soft triangular shape".



Despite its shortish chain, it doesn't choke me. The hollow pendant swings and sits beautifully on my collarbone - and I can play with it when stressed.



(All photos courtesy of Andromedii)

In short, I've found something to wear around my neck almost daily. It makes me feel a bit poetic, fragile even, and want to listen to this Sonic Youth song on repeat. What more could you ask from a piece of silver?

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GTWSYQjrDU]

Helsinki Fashion Week

Our lovely, little Helsinki is currently the World Design Capital of the year. Design and designers are things our politicos love to brag about, but traditionally, they've been less than effective when it comes to real action. However, now it seems the time is right, and the WDC year has provided creatives, marketing people and the powers that be with the perfect excuse to get together and really get things done.

In other words, I've been flooded like never before with invitations to exhibitions, shows, pop-up shops, breakfasts, seminars, openings of an envelope, and other design and fashion themed happenings all spring. (I'm not complaining though, please keep them coming.)

The month of May has been extraordinarily busy, and this week we get to experience something that just might be the birth of a real Finnish Fashion Week. Local and international press and public are treated to an interesting programme, that culminates Friday with Aalto University's new fashion designers' show and the launch of the exciting SSAW magazine.

Helsinki Fashion Summit is part of a Nordic project to get the fashion industry movers & shakers collaborating. Tomorrow, we get to hear from successful designers*, buyers and other powerful people, and see a fashion show promoting up & coming Finnish and Scandinavian brands - eg. local stars, Minni f. Ronya.

Let's hope all this fashion fun (and serious marketing endeavors) will continue for years to come! And let's take the opportunity to post a picture of the wonderful Henrik Vibskov, one of tomorrow's speakers (and one of my Imaginary Boyfriends).



(picture from A shaded view on fashion)

If you really love it, put a pin on it.

Like everyone else and their sister, I'm on Pinterest. You can see things that make me go "Ooh la-la" here - Whether they're fashion, interior ideas, artsy stuff, or pretty boys.

Speaking of internet crushes, here's my latest: Anya Ziourova (photographed here by The Streetfashion5xpro) has incredible style (the mix of prints!!! The mis-matched accessories!!!), naturally lovely face & hair - and she just looks like the kind of a cool girl I'd love to hang out with.

Talking 'bout prints, baby!

Super excited about dear old Marimekko's new project Marimekko Proto.



Marimekko's head of Fashion Design Noora Niinikoski got the great idea to invite four talented young designers to re-use some of the house's wonderful left-over fabric. The results can be seen at Marikiska (on Uudenmaankatu), starting today. I'm heading for the launch party later on, can't wait to get my hands on the actual clothes - especially after seeing this promo video by Miika Lommi!

 
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yhBugRLJLs]
The four designers are Riikka Buri, Yonna Moriya, Emmakaisa Soisalo and one of my favourites (as a fashion designer and a person) Elina Määttänen. Fabulous, darlings!

Talking 'bout prints, baby!

 

 

Print is not dead

Right now I'm very much feeling prints - preferably mis-matched, thrown together, head-to-toe - and different shades of blue - with or without the prints. Looking at what some of my Finnish favourites have to offer, I fell in love with R/H's looks for spring. Especially the black and white abstract print.



And the green pants.



Blue for me is a "neutral" colour, like black, gray and some creamy beiges. As long as I remember, dressing in blue has made me feel safe, secure - and happy. At the moment, I want to mix different shades of blue together. I do have loads of blue in my wardrobe already, but there just might be a place for an aqua R/H maxi dress...



The designer duo R/H, Hanna Riiheläinen and Emilia Hernesniemi, are in my opinion the most interesting ones to watch in the current crop of Helsinki design darlings. Their clothes have a relaxed, easy thing going on, but at the same they are refreshingly grown-up for, you know, everyday wear. Last autumn I bought a sweater by them - with reindeer-skin shoulder puffs - that instantly became my go-to piece when I needed to look sharp and stylish - ie. every working day, and most party nights. (Even the prices are right.)

You can easily shop their stuff in Helsinki, just stroll into their own mini shop at Uudenmaankatu or the near-by Acolyth on Iso-Roobertinkatu. Out-of-towners should pay a visit at the R/H web shop and/or the Acolyth web store like, now. (All the stores that carry R/H listed here. Support your local dealer!)