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)

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!)