tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26373353485467744362024-02-08T04:50:37.508+02:00I think I need a new heartOne should either be a work of art or wear a work of arttaruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12788206457574188019noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637335348546774436.post-77905367596269097142014-02-19T21:27:00.001+02:002014-02-20T16:43:56.576+02:00Archives Of Pain<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLA9hqbjS5vu3MvOlX2CZ_5-0ruGEBSODJVOb81PTQRPTr1Vynqeo_BdkHyuHx-yz-G41tPrwWSoOhWaqAwlTqQlsgxF3pra1q60Vn3ldNVCWLJ7rX18rethyphenhyphenofKKnahncUKCds8Mtjh3v/s1600/holybible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLA9hqbjS5vu3MvOlX2CZ_5-0ruGEBSODJVOb81PTQRPTr1Vynqeo_BdkHyuHx-yz-G41tPrwWSoOhWaqAwlTqQlsgxF3pra1q60Vn3ldNVCWLJ7rX18rethyphenhyphenofKKnahncUKCds8Mtjh3v/s1600/holybible.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>Manic
Street Preachers</strong> julkaisi albumin <strong>The Holy Bible</strong> lähes kaksikymmentä vuotta sitten.
Olin silloin brittiläistä ”indiepoppia” ja kaikkea siihen liittynyttä kuohuntaa monomaanisesti seuraava
nuori nainen. Tuona aikana omaksuin lähes kaiken sen musiikin, jonka nyt näen
tehneen minusta minun. En välttämättä kuuntele niitä levyjä edelleen, koska
osaan ne ulkoa, tai koska ne herättävät väkivaltaisen todellisia tunnemuistoja. Holy
Bible on kuitenkin enemmän kuin nostalgiaa, pako nuoruuteen, turvaviltti tai
mantra. Se on paras, tärkein, julmin ja kaunein tuntemani kokonaistaideteos
siitä, mitä maanisdepressiivinen elämä on. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">
</span><br />
<em><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">In these plagued streets of pity you can buy anything</span></strong></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></em><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Holy Bible
on pintatasoltaan perinpohjainen omaelämäkerrallinen reportaasi elämästä
1990-luvun alun lamaeurooppalaisessa, sosialismin ja historian lopun
jälkeisessä jakomielisessä todellisuudessa, hortoilusta jossain yliopiston
historian luentojen ja Bangkokin huorakatujen välissä. Siinä maailmassa, missä
sankarit ovat jo korvautuneet julkkiksilla, politiikka luopunut pyrkimyksistä
koko maailman hahmottamiseen ja keskittynyt miettimään, millainen varoitustarra
räppilevyjen kanteen tarvitaan, samalla kun lapset lahtaavat lapsia. ”<i>Tipper
Gore was a friend of mine</i>.” Ihmiset ovat jo kauppatavaraa, kansalaisuus
typistetty kuluttajuudeksi.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Nyt
kuunneltuna Holy Bible tulee piirtäneeksi aivan yhtä terävän, lohduttoman,
vastaanpanemattoman kuvan meidän aikamme <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>”uudesta” jälkiteollisesta, jälkiaatteellisesta,
jälkidigitaalisesta, jälkiyksilöllisestä, jälkiuusyhteisöllisestä maailmasta.
Tästä, missä vuonna 2014 kukin kykyjensä mukaan, äärirajoilla sinnittelemme. Holy
Bible on yhtä kiinni omassa historiallisessa synnyinajassaan ja yhtä
universaali kuin pysyvimmät kirjallisuuden klassikot. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I am stronger than Mensa, Miller and Mailer, I spat
out Plath and Pinter</span></strong></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Jos Holy
Bible on minun maailmani Rikos ja rangaistus, Manic Street Preachersin toinen
lyyrikko, ensisijainen raison d’etre, toissijainen kitaristi ja sukupolveni
keskeisin itsensä yhtä aikaa luonut ja tuhonnut kulttihahmo <strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richey_Edwards" target="_blank">Richey Edwards</a></strong> on teoksen Dostojevski, ja Raskolnikov. Tekijä ja antisankari. Jos se on Lasikellon alla, Richey on
Sylvia Plath. Tietenkin on, ja vimmaisesti kirjallisuutta lukenut Richey tietää olevansa, pyrkii olemaan. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Richey on oikea jälkimoderni subjekti törmäillessään kaiken omaksumansa maailmankirjallisuuden ja pakonomaisen rock-tähtiunelmansa välillä. 1990-luvun alussa Richey - ja minä - opiskelee poliittista historiaa ja lukee Marxia aikana, jolloin "vapaan läntisen markkinatalouden" eteneminen näkyy vääjäämättömänä voittokulkuna ja </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_End_of_History_and_the_Last_Man" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Fukuyama ujuttaa</span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> kielen kautta mieliin totuuden historian lopusta. Postmodernissa korkea ja matala, minuus ja toiseus, henkilö ja maailma, tekijä ja teos sekoittuvat, limittyvät, lomittuvat. Tietoisena käytännön teoreetikkona Richey rakentaa "Manicsista" ja bändin musiikista, ulkoasusta, julkilausumista, konserteista kokonaisuutta, jossa kaikki on yhtä merkityksellistä (tai tyhjää elettä). Samalla hän asettaa oman kärsimyksensä etualalle, poseeraa masennuksensa, maniansa, syömishäiriönsä, alkoholi- ja huumeriippuvuutensa kanssa. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><em><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I've finally come to understand life through staring blankly at my navel</span></strong></em></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><em><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></em></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Siinä, että romanttinen taiteilijahahmo rakentaa itseään juopottelun ja nälkiintymisen kautta, ei ole mitään uutta eikä jännittävää. Ei ollut meille ysäriteineillekään. Oli ihan perseestä, että kaikki meille laulavat ja puhuvat herkät tyypit <strong>River Phoenixista Kurt Cobainiin</strong> tuntuivat aina kuolevan ennen kuin se tapa elää ja olla, mistä he tuntuivat enteilevän, ehti tulla toteen. </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pop_Will_Eat_Itself" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Pop did eat itself</span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">. Lisäksi fiksu nuori aikuinen karttoi tuolloin kaikkea mahdollista <em>samastumista</em> tai herra nähköön <em>biografismia </em>taiteesta tai sen tekijöistä puhuessaan. Jokainen yliopiston eteiseen asti ehtinyt käsitti tekijän peruuttamattomasti kuolleen. Mikään ei ollut nolompaa kuin lähestyä <em>tekstejä</em>, edes poppibiisejä, tekijän persoonan kautta.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Silti Richey merkitsi jotain muuta kuin taas yksi tähti, jonka kuolemaa odotella. Hänen motoroimanaan Manic Street Preachers hyökyi provinssista brittiläisten poplehtien (Rakas nuori lukijani, ennen kun joka kylään saatiin tämä internet, me luettiin Tampereellakin joka viikko <strong>Melody Maker</strong> ja <strong>NME</strong> ja tunnettiin kaikki Camdenin baarien nousevat tähdet ennen kuin ne julkaisivat ensimmäistä - eli useimmiten viimeiseksi jäänyttä - sinkkuaankaan!) etusivuille julistaen olevansa isompi kuin Sex Pistols ja myyvänsä ykköslevyään muutaman miljoonan kappaletta. Vaikka Manicsien musiikillinen vetovoima oli alusta lähtien Bradfieldin lauluääni ja kyky mukaansatempaaviin hittimelodioihin, ja vaikka Nicky Wire oli vähintään yhtä näppärä sanoittaja, juuri Richey - joka tunnetusti ei osannut soittaa kitaraansa vaikka henki olisi ollut kyseessä - imi huomion. Kenkiintuijottelun ja grunge-estetiikan keskellä glamista lainatut leoparditurkit, meikatut kasvot ja muna pystyssä soitettu stadionrock jonka lyriikat vilisivät viittauksia Barthesista Trotskiin oli ihan mahdottoman naurettavaa ja siksi niin kiehtovaa.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Vuoteen 1994 tultaessa kaikki, joilla oli väliä, olivat jo antautuneet MSP:n mediasirkuksen edessä. Lehdet rakastivat kauhistella Richeyä, joka aiemmin oli viiltänyt käsivarteensa "4 REAL" NME:n toimittajan uskallettua kyseenalaistaa bändin tosissaan olemisen. Ryysyistä oli noustu rikkauksiin tai ainakin kirkuvien aasialaisteinien eteen isoille lavoille. Richeyn paha olo ei tietenkään ulkoisten olosuhteiden myötä kohentunut. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Jossain loputtoman kiertueen ja loputtomien vodkapullojen lomassa hän ehti kirjoittaa (ainakin 80-prosenttisesti) lyriikat levyyn, joka paitsi ryöpyttää kuulijansa päälle sen hetkisen historian ja maailman kriittisen tilan Yhdysvaltain aselakien järjettömyydestä lapsiaan länsituristeille myyvien nousevien "talousmahtien" brutaaliuteen, naisen aseman heikkenemiseen ja siihen, miten hankala on olla Prinsessa Diana, myös johdattaa meidät kaksisuuntaisen mielialahäiriön helvettiin.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Can't shout, can't scream, I hurt myself to get pain out<o:p></o:p></span></em></strong></span></div>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Holy Bible, kuten maanisdepressikon pään sisältö, koostuu kahdesta ääripäästä, pohjattomasta alhosta ja ylivertaisesta kiihkosta. Kuin sairastuneessa mielessä, levyllä näiden kahden vaihtelu on sietämättömän nopeatahtista. Kun sairastuneeseen mieleen yhdistyy armoton äly ja jatkuva itseanalyysi, parantuminen voi olla mahdotonta. Lääkkeet (ainakin ne 90-luvun versiot) turruttavat, terapia ei auta kun analysoit ongelmiasi muutenkin koko ajan (muttet pääse eteenpäin), läheisillesi tiedät olevasi vain taakka.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Holy Biblen avausraidalla ja ehkä hienoimmalla yksittäisellä hetkellä Yes ollaan pohjalla, saatanallisen terävänä. Silmissä vilisee ihmiskauppa, tuskastuttava porno, tyhjä seksi. Rakkautta ei ole, itse pysyy hädin tuskin pystyssä. Kaiken näkee kipeän kirkkaana. Paitsi itseään.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><em><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Power produces desire, the weak have none<br />There's no lust in this coma even for a fifty<br />Solitude, solitude, the 11th commandment<br /><br />Don't hurt, just obey, lie down, do as they say<br />May as well be heaven this hell, smells the same<br />These sunless afternoons I can't find myself</span></em></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><em><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></em></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">En käy levyä läpi biisi biisiltä - en edes aina pysty kuuntelemaan sitä biisi biisiltä - mutta Yesin lohduttomuuden jälkeen ahdistus vain kasvaa: We all are of walking abortions. <em>"Who's responsible? You fucking are!"</em></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><em><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I am stronger than Mensa, Miller and Mailer, I spat out Plath and Pinter</span></strong></em></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Esteettisesti ja lääketieteellisesti Holy Biblen toinen ääripää on Faster. Siinä syljetään hybriksessä ulos se, kuinka vitun siisti olen, kuinka helvetisti tiedän, olen parempi kuin kukaan, olen herkempi kuin kukaan, nauran teille ja teidän paskalle, voimani riittävät äärettömiin, en tarvitse unta, en pysty uneen, se ei haittaa, käykää päälle vaan, siinä sivussa kirjoitan paremmin kuin kukaan ikinä.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></o:p></span></i> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><em><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I am all the things that you regret<br />A truth that washes that learnt how to spell, learnt to spell</span></em></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></o:p></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Holy Bible ei tasapainoile näiden kahden äären välillä, vaan se kompuroi, laahaa, harppoo, vajoaa sopimattoman pitkään sopimattoman synkkään, on riemupäissään melko naurettava (Revol, nurinkurinen Lover hölpöttää stalinismista, Guevarasta ja muusta kitsch-kommunismista - etkö muka parempaan vaihtoehtohistoriaan kaikkine lukeneisuuksinesi pysty?). Silti en tiedä parempaa kokemuskertomusta anoreksiasta kuin 4st., 7lbs. tai analyysiä naisesta, jonka kauneudesta kaikki saa kärsiä kuin She Is Suffering. </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span></o:p></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Holy Biblen olemusta nimenomaan postmodernina teoksena korostaa se, että biisien alkujen sämplet - Hunter Selby Jr:n itsetutkiskelusta 1984-elokuvaversion monologiin - ovat yhtä tärkeitä kuin "omat sanoitukset" jotka nekin pursuavat viitteitä ja varkauksia.</span></span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></o:p></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em><strong>The only way to gain approval is by exploiting the very thing that cheapens me</strong></em></span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></o:p></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">"Kokonaisuus on enemmän kuin osiensa summa", ja siksi Holy Bible on merkkiteos, joka on toiminut ääniraitanani tälläkin viikolla, kun olen yrittänyt selvitä jälleen yhdestä kevättalvesta, jälleen yhdestä auringottomasta iltapäivästä, jälleen yhden rakkauden olemattomuudesta, jälleen pohjattoman yksinäisyyden kolahtamisesta.</span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></o:p></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Richey heitti oman toivonsa lopullisesti 19 vuotta sitten. Kuinkahan moni meistä on jaksanut jatkaa juuri hänen epätoivonsa manifestin voimalla? </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></o:p></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Ai niin, kyseessä on tosiaan äänilevy eikä runoteos. Sen voi kuunnella </span><a href="http://youtu.be/JoeiyGiEthU" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">vaikka tämän linkin takana</span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">. </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></o:p></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Ajattelin näin alkuun päästyäni jatkaa bloggailua päivänpolttavista kulttuurisista kysymyksistä. Seuraavina aihelistalla "munafarkut" henkilöbrändin luomisen välineenä ja ehkä lihavuus ja seksi. </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">
</span>taruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12788206457574188019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637335348546774436.post-6888787252842742202012-07-25T17:13:00.000+03:002012-07-25T17:18:50.744+03:00Yeah, cheers, thanks a lot.Time to crack open the Bolly, darlings: Eddy and Pats are back just in time for the Olympics!<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">"Nooo, I was going to be thin!"</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3B2rP6JhOog" width="560"></iframe> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">(My favourite piece of fashion wisdom are the immortal words uttered by one <b>Eurydice Colette Clytemnestra Dido Bathsheba Rabelais Patricia Cocteau Stone</b>: "You can never have enough of... hats, shoes and gloves." I mean, darling, even Amanda de Cadenet would have remembered the word "accessories".)</span>taruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12788206457574188019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637335348546774436.post-40728815689559892312012-07-24T10:05:00.001+03:002012-07-24T10:05:47.629+03:00Surreal SummerI love <b><a href="http://pinterest.com/tarut/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></b>, but it has made me question the function of fashion blogging. Why should one try to whip up the traditional "Inspiration Posts" when it's so easy to share mind-blowing visuals without usual, useless crap about how this makes me feel like that pop song and how I wanna look like that in the autumn and oooh I wish I only had her legs? A blogger's existential crisis, if you will.<br />
<br />
But sometimes one happens on something so exceptional one can't keep her mouth shut. These pictures were shared by <b><a href="http://rodeo.net/agnes-b/2012/07/nar-salvador-dali-gjorde-vogue/" target="_blank">Rodeo magazine's exceptional fashion journalist Agnes B</a></b>. <b>Salvador Dali</b> took the entire control of the French Vogue's December issue in 1971. The fashion editorials, articles, even the adverts were masterminded by the artist.<br />
<br />
A recurring theme seems to be the <b>Chairman Mao</b> - surely a commentary of <b>Warhol</b>'s work on the same iconography at roughly the same time? The cover mixes two pop art icons, Mao and <b>Marilyn</b>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsgsCcWkvFdmzjgheWKwyuCaIPKihUAgJgafw6VXc8DIqO4L5A-iGoV3QuWT2Y61wKmOK2qTTyA7WVtNK_m4EBKv1Gtr6KEHRiCJ5e_UlNq5qKFXsSzNEDIWDAxeC-W6MmYpiZQwe8MZn/s1600/MX-2600N_20120313_112642_001-554x783.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsgsCcWkvFdmzjgheWKwyuCaIPKihUAgJgafw6VXc8DIqO4L5A-iGoV3QuWT2Y61wKmOK2qTTyA7WVtNK_m4EBKv1Gtr6KEHRiCJ5e_UlNq5qKFXsSzNEDIWDAxeC-W6MmYpiZQwe8MZn/s1600/MX-2600N_20120313_112642_001-554x783.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;">The </span><b style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Revillon </b><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;">ad with children is deliciously creepy, and yes, surreal.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZqeH8cijOEjC3hfN9fAjbfaZi4Sp8399BGSjvUa5F8gAmg28OOkL6tmf8-QR7qO8wRZ09XsB2gpblMR7S19ZsyEBR1duqAHSzIczcAvyzMcKwpSUVxXXXKaJtF4aDJ8xOyFLa6Tc_gzY/s1600/MX-2600N_20120313_112845_017.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZqeH8cijOEjC3hfN9fAjbfaZi4Sp8399BGSjvUa5F8gAmg28OOkL6tmf8-QR7qO8wRZ09XsB2gpblMR7S19ZsyEBR1duqAHSzIczcAvyzMcKwpSUVxXXXKaJtF4aDJ8xOyFLa6Tc_gzY/s640/MX-2600N_20120313_112845_017.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">And what do you know - I did find inspiration for what to wear this autumn or on these chilly summer days we've been having: Another pop icon and artist, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veruschka_von_Lehndorff" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">the inimitable <b>Veruschka</b></a><span style="background-color: white;"> dressed as Mao, by a gloomy looking lake. (The surrounding poetry is also by Mao.) </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4P_csAZJPWvZLSgOIgThIPlQj4OlbGhHVgeD1Gz1zcpKwMWXYynLPmAzSpqpdqcigVS6PfFdW10tGDtVhELM8GA0Ek9nStZIENB9eHaVQV4gAWeGz_JZDB23TNzEKG9qDJBR-QHf4vCQW/s1600/MX-2600N_20120313_112845_003.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4P_csAZJPWvZLSgOIgThIPlQj4OlbGhHVgeD1Gz1zcpKwMWXYynLPmAzSpqpdqcigVS6PfFdW10tGDtVhELM8GA0Ek9nStZIENB9eHaVQV4gAWeGz_JZDB23TNzEKG9qDJBR-QHf4vCQW/s640/MX-2600N_20120313_112845_003.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
The British and French Vogue still sometimes put up interesting collaborations with visual artists. Dear Finnish magazine editors (I know some of you are reading), how about following suit? Mao suit.taruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12788206457574188019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637335348546774436.post-86530801481751661292012-07-08T22:44:00.000+03:002012-07-23T05:36:01.728+03:00Good things come to those who waitThis past month, I've been mostly watching football and <em>curating my burgeoning collection</em> of<strong> Ann Demeulemeester</strong> masterpieces. In other words, I managed to snatch a couple of past season goodies that had been loitering in <a href="http://www.yoox.com/" target="_blank">my Yoox dreambox</a>, at a very agreeable discount price.<br />
<br />
As someone whose income doesn't quite meet the requirements of her expensive taste, I've long since given up trying to buy on-trend pieces. Can't really afford the designer garb and don't really feel satisfied with high street knock-offs. Instead, I tend to look at my favourite designers' collections trying to identify pieces that could become my wardrobe classics and try to get them later. Fortunately, my conception of must-have pieces seems to be a bit odd, so I usually get very lucky at sales and discount stores or second-hand shopping. Of course I'm still very much affected by trends, for instance this summer I want to wear trousers with floral or abstract prints and <em>something that floats</em> behind me, just like <em>all the other cool kids</em> in flower jeans or mullet skirt.<br />
<br />
I fell in love with Demeulemeester's hazy black-and-white print as soon as I saw <a href="http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/S2010RTW-ADEMEULE" target="_blank">the spring-summer 2010 collection</a>. Now that I have these stove-pipe pyjama pants in black silk satin, I still don't know whether the print is a bird or a flower, but I love love love it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/photo11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-178" height="640" src="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/photo11.jpg?w=768" title="Photo1" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
(If I ever get married, I'd love to do it in the long skirt from the same collection, white or black.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwpCHMfvo12b5ygvnC6XSMyijnOfwB_U72rymZXuf2iWfrCUZFP7eJEC3muQz7GjQg4SpxVaETUnqaqdXEtTtxjsTLXEvd-YAUGivh3R70NuEu7dZUdCDnMkx367mE3lI_tyZl1UFs6pK/s1600/00120m.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwpCHMfvo12b5ygvnC6XSMyijnOfwB_U72rymZXuf2iWfrCUZFP7eJEC3muQz7GjQg4SpxVaETUnqaqdXEtTtxjsTLXEvd-YAUGivh3R70NuEu7dZUdCDnMkx367mE3lI_tyZl1UFs6pK/s640/00120m.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHkPwPXCYGfNY6zH-EpectOJn4i-Z60HiZVkfJpW4F_QUz970ei5tXxYjpLTD7pYabItBNevDwq_7Pv4FZXd7_fQ5nYYcaHnTKBzG_wQC6m0k9M_-xCj_L3Nz0qz5Zoxay1QQB9LvkMUb/s1600/00300m.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHkPwPXCYGfNY6zH-EpectOJn4i-Z60HiZVkfJpW4F_QUz970ei5tXxYjpLTD7pYabItBNevDwq_7Pv4FZXd7_fQ5nYYcaHnTKBzG_wQC6m0k9M_-xCj_L3Nz0qz5Zoxay1QQB9LvkMUb/s640/00300m.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">The other thing I got is an off-white version in silk chiffon of this wrap-around </span><a href="http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2011RTW-ADEMEULE" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank"><em>thing</em> from s-s 2011.</a><span style="background-color: white;"> It's actually cut like a wrap mini skirt with a long asymmetrical side/back hem. I'll probably wear it on top of a black dress or trousers, or peeking under a longer dress.</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJ0f6EOojhlZpZcY_z9wETGzJms4y6keyD7Dz3dFo-yR9C66O0ZEPcCeclu2e2O_m1dmqdNyRhco_HxQsbOEofOyuz5QbAyiCB573usCe0t_gLQlEusxf3mcb_Eg2iVbe1EIwuBEwStkW/s1600/00110m.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJ0f6EOojhlZpZcY_z9wETGzJms4y6keyD7Dz3dFo-yR9C66O0ZEPcCeclu2e2O_m1dmqdNyRhco_HxQsbOEofOyuz5QbAyiCB573usCe0t_gLQlEusxf3mcb_Eg2iVbe1EIwuBEwStkW/s640/00110m.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6BU4E09gZ1wDw2buTMvKhEVk5QpXxvpjKh2tdUj6yNTfqhudYQXD9BC85q6MfBFtcRGStW97mkVC1-UcPDGS8JYh7skLAJ-_72PCY5gaiJwUw-YWEItRgh66AWxjIKjt6wnvtB38rk1r/s1600/00130m.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6BU4E09gZ1wDw2buTMvKhEVk5QpXxvpjKh2tdUj6yNTfqhudYQXD9BC85q6MfBFtcRGStW97mkVC1-UcPDGS8JYh7skLAJ-_72PCY5gaiJwUw-YWEItRgh66AWxjIKjt6wnvtB38rk1r/s640/00130m.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6BU4E09gZ1wDw2buTMvKhEVk5QpXxvpjKh2tdUj6yNTfqhudYQXD9BC85q6MfBFtcRGStW97mkVC1-UcPDGS8JYh7skLAJ-_72PCY5gaiJwUw-YWEItRgh66AWxjIKjt6wnvtB38rk1r/s1600/00130m.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white;">(catwalk pics from Style.com)</span></a><br />
<strong><br /></strong><br />
<strong style="background-color: white;">But enough about me, have you dolls been successful treasure hunting during the summer?</strong><br />
<br />taruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12788206457574188019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637335348546774436.post-21291128458148632772012-06-04T21:02:00.000+03:002012-07-23T04:38:10.682+03:00Answered PrayersSoon after<a href="http://ineedanewheart.wordpress.com/2012/06/02/the-fashion-show-or-how-a-warhol-female-found-her-inner-teenage-dude/" target="_blank"> my post about<strong> the Aalto University's fashion show</strong></a> - or <strong>NäytösXII</strong> - lamenting the lack of official catwalk pics of all the fabulousness the students had produced, <a href="http://naytosxii.blogspot.fi/" target="_blank">the photographer <strong>Mikko Jylhä</strong> put up his shots</a>. I was very impressed by the entire show, and only after a couple of days scrutinizing, able to pick my favourite designers/designer groups.<br/><br/>I'm still in love with the glittery, colourful, boyish good stuff produced by <strong>Elina Laitinen, Siiri Raasakka and Tiia Sirén</strong>. And no wonder - the trio has <a href="http://www.puretrend.com/rubrique/actualites_r11/hyeres-2012-l-interview-des-laureates-du-grand-prix-du-jury_a64791/1" target="_blank">already won the prestigious <strong>Hyères Grand Prix</strong></a> this spring.<br/><br/><a href="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/capboy1.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-164" title="capboy" src="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/capboy1.jpeg" alt="" width="750" height="937" /></a><br/><br/><a href="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/laitinenraasakkasiren.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-156" title="laitinenraasakkasiren" src="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/laitinenraasakkasiren.jpeg" alt="" width="1024" height="1538" /></a><br/><br/>(Backstage photo by <a href="http://www.2pintaa.com/2012/06/naytos-12-part-23.html" target="_blank"><strong>Meri Karhu/pintaa</strong></a>, all <a href="http://naytosxii.blogspot.fi/" target="_blank"><strong>catwalk photos Mikko Jylhä</strong></a>)<br/><br/>Another fave of mine was some of the menswear designed by <strong>Elisa Anttonen, Ella Berglund and Ida-Sofia Tuomisto</strong>. (On the whole, I found the menswear lines to be the more interesting - and definitely wearable by women as well. Is this<strong> Tuomas Laitinen</strong>'s influence showing?)<br/><br/><a href="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/anttonenberglundtuomisto.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-157" title="anttonenberglundtuomisto" src="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/anttonenberglundtuomisto.jpeg" alt="" width="1024" height="1538" /></a><br/><br/>Näytös XII jury awarded its 1500 euro prize to <strong>Anna-Mari Leppisaari</strong>. And deservedly so, Leppisaari's designs are classicly cut (someone has studied the Balenciaga and Prada archives, non?) with fresh touches (the plastic panels, mix of fabrics).<br/><br/><a href="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/dsc60951.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-159" title="_DSC6095" src="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/dsc60951.jpeg" alt="" width="1024" height="1538" /></a><br/><br/><a href="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/dsc6101.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-165" title="_DSC6101" src="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/dsc6101.jpeg" alt="" width="1024" height="1538" /></a><br/><br/>On a personal style level, I'd love to wear anything by <strong>Sara Riikonen.</strong> Love the clean "60s by way of 90s" silhuettes. Riikonen just might be what all us working gals are waiting for - the young Finnish designer who can actually cut a wearable blazer!<br/><br/><a href="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/riikonen.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-161" title="riikonen" src="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/riikonen.jpeg" alt="" width="1024" height="1538" /></a><br/><br/><a href="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/riikonen1.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-162" title="riikonen1" src="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/riikonen1.jpeg" alt="" width="1024" height="1538" /></a><br/><br/><strong>Anna Alanko</strong>'s colours and abstract florals are also something I'd love to wear.<br/><br/><a href="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/dsc6300.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-154" title="_DSC6300" src="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/dsc6300.jpeg" alt="" width="1024" height="1538" /></a><br/><br/><a href="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/dsc6291.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-155" title="_DSC6291" src="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/dsc6291.jpeg" alt="" width="1024" height="1538" /></a><br/><br/><strong>Now it's your turn, dear readers! Who are your favourite Näytös XII designers</strong> (students's show or/and from the alumni)<strong>?</strong>taruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12788206457574188019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637335348546774436.post-55234204791485557282012-06-02T22:35:00.000+03:002012-07-23T05:45:05.710+03:00The Fashion Show (or how a Warhol female found her inner teenage dude)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Last week, the fashion design students and four alumni of </span><a href="http://living.aalto.fi/en/" style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank"><strong>Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture</strong></a><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> put on an end of the school year show - and what a show it was!</span><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-133" height="1023" src="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/boycap.jpeg" title="boycap" width="678" /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/king.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-132" height="1023" src="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/king.jpeg" title="king" width="678" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
(Unless otherwise mentioned, all <strong><a href="http://www.2pintaa.com/2012/06/naytos-12-part-23.html" target="_blank">photos by Meri Karhu/Pintaa</a></strong>)<br />
<br />
This year, the graduate show was marketed as <a href="http://ineedanewheart.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/helsinki-fashion-week/" target="_blank">a part of an emerging "Helsinki Fashion Week" of sorts</a>. For the first time, four Aalto University alumni, who already have their own lines out in the real world, were invited to show along students and graduates. And for the first time ever, the <a href="http://yle.fi/elavaarkisto/artikkelit/suomimuodin_uusi_aalto_-_naytos_2012_80443.html#media=80447" target="_blank">Finnish broadcasting company YLE showed the results on national tv and on the Internet</a>!<br />
<br />
The alumni show was cleverly curated by<a href="http://www.laitinencollection.com/" target="_blank"> <strong>Tuomas Laitinen</strong></a> to showcase four different sides of current Finnish fashion: The fun, contemporary and commercial <a href="http://www.rh-the-label.com/" target="_blank">line by <strong>R/H</strong></a>, <a href="http://www.sasukauppi.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Sasu Kauppi</strong>'s</a> extravagant combinations of fine tailoring and exaggerated proportions, <a href="http://www.ensaemble.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Ensaemble</strong>'s</a> attempts at mystical minimalism (not too far removed from a certain Belgian aesthetic), and the very unique "mad scientist" world of <strong><a href="http://www.saaralepokorpi.com/portfolio/" target="_blank">Saara Lepokorpi</a>. </strong>If I had to pick one favourite, it'd be Saara's work with its intricate forms and imaginative cuts that still somehow manages to be immensely wearable - or as the designer herself describes it, made for a modern day, female <strong>Andy Warhol</strong>. Luckily, I don't have to.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/lepokorpi1.jpeg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-136" height="1134" src="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/lepokorpi1.jpeg" title="lepokorpi" width="800" /></a><br />
<br />
(Photo of <a href="http://www.saaralepokorpi.com/portfolio/" target="_blank"><strong>Saara Lepokorpi</strong> </a>SS12 jacket, that I simply have to have.)<br />
<br />
The televised alumni show featured commentary by two very sharp experts, <a href="http://youfeelinit.blogspot.fi/"><strong>Petra Koivisto</strong></a> and <a href="http://www.minttuvesala.com/"><strong>Minttu Vesala</strong>.</a> In spite of the terribly over-excited hosts with zero fashion knowledge (and too many inserts of people giggling over a glass of bubbly), it was a decent effort. Let's hope they keep growing this show into a veritable chance for the best Finnish labels to showcase themselves, also on national tv. And cut out the cocktail-hour crap.<br />
<br />
The students show, however, was even more intriguing than the alumni. I didn't make it to the show itself, but from what I've seen in other blogs and on tv, it was fabulous (and much more professional in every aspect than previous years). Congrats to all designers, stylists, models and the hair&makeup people!<br />
<br />
For reasons unbeknownst to a mere mortal<em> fashion fan/blogger/freelance<strong> JOURNALIST</strong></em>, there are <strong>no proper press</strong> <strong>photos</strong> of the student show available. <strong>UPDATE: You can see and share <a href="http://naytosxii.blogspot.fi/">the official catwalk photos by Mikko Jylhä here!</a></strong><br />
<br />
After some pressure from fashion fan(atic)s, <a href="http://yle.fi/elavaarkisto/artikkelit/suomimuodin_uusi_aalto_-_naytos_2012_80443.html#media=80445" target="_blank"><strong>YLE kindly put even this part of show on their webpage</strong></a>. My friend <strong>Mikko</strong>, whose team of stylists were responsible for the amazing hair at the show, <strong><a href="http://www.2pintaa.com/2012/06/naytos-12-part-23.html" target="_blank">has fantastic backstage photos and videos on his blog, Pintaa</a></strong>.<br />
<br />
<br />
The designers/groups featured were: Elina Laitinen, Siiri Raasakka, Tiia Siren *** Elina Laitinen, Siiri Raasakka *** Harri Niskanen *** Sara Riikonen *** Siru Juntunen *** Reeta Katto *** Elina Anttonen, Ella Berglund, Ida-Sofia Tuomisto *** Anna-Mari Leppisaari *** Maija Sallinen *** Essi Lehto *** Aura Kajaniemi, Vanamo Korell *** Taija Hiltunen, Mikaela Johansson, Olga Sjöroos *** Anna Alanko *** Hanne Jurmu *** Liisa Nieminen *** Annika Heikinheimo *** Laura Juslin *** Anton Hinkonen *** Hanna-Maaria Sinkkonen, Sophie-Louise Sälekari *** Satu Maaranen. (The list supplied by the inimitable <a href="http://www.outsapop.com/" target="_blank">fountain of fashion wisdom, <strong>Outi Pyy</strong></a>!)<br />
<br />
I'd be hard pressed to pick a favourite amongst the individual designers or groups, but as you can see from the photos chosen, somehow I gravitate towards the colourful, decorative yet super functional, lovably boyish stuff by <strong>Laitinen-Raasakka-Sirén</strong>. (<strong>My inner 15-year old DUDE</strong> has once again raised his unkempt head, <em><strong>demanding a sequin cap</strong></em>)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/capboy.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-134" height="937" src="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/capboy.jpeg" title="capboy" width="750" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
All in all, the "first Finnish fashion week" left me with a feeling of an opportunity missed, yet still relentlessly hopeful for better days to come. Is this how it feels for Finnish ice hockey fans? (Picture from Sasu Kauppi's ice hockey themed collection, <a href="http://mikkorasila.blogspot.fi/2012/05/we-are-champions.html" target="_blank">photographed by the lovely, legendary <strong>Mikko Rasila</strong></a>)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/kauppi.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-140" height="667" src="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/kauppi.jpeg" title="kauppi" width="500" /></a></div>
taruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12788206457574188019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637335348546774436.post-65092973833940238442012-05-30T20:23:00.000+03:002012-07-23T04:39:28.762+03:00Sweet shineI'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.<br/><br/>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.)<br/><br/>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.<br/><br/>Or so I thought before falling in love with a very special, tiny bit of oxidized silver (<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Andromedii?ref=seller_info">by <strong>Andromedii</strong>, at Etsy</a>).<br/><br/><a href="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/il_fullxfull-2.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-121" title="il_fullxfull-2" src="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/il_fullxfull-2.jpeg" alt="" width="570" height="379" /></a><br/><br/>It has "random patterns on each of its wild yet soft triangular shape".<br/><br/><a href="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/il_fullxfull-1.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-115" title="il_fullxfull-1" src="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/il_fullxfull-1.jpeg" alt="" width="570" height="441" /></a><br/><br/>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.<br/><br/><a href="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/il_fullxfull.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-122" title="il_fullxfull" src="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/il_fullxfull.jpeg" alt="" width="570" height="530" /></a><br/><br/>(All photos courtesy of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Andromedii?ref=seller_info">Andromedii</a>)<br/><br/>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 <strong>Sonic Youth</strong> song on repeat. What more could you ask from a piece of silver?<br/><br/>[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GTWSYQjrDU]taruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12788206457574188019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637335348546774436.post-33209513076057005122012-05-23T18:54:00.000+03:002012-07-23T04:39:28.758+03:00Helsinki Fashion WeekOur lovely, little <strong>Helsinki</strong> 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.<br/><br/>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.)<br/><br/>The month of May has been extraordinarily busy, and this week we get to experience something that just might be <a href="http://wdchelsinki2012.fi/en/news/2012-05-21/top-fashion-and-design-professionals-stream-world-design-capital-helsinki-2012" target="_blank">the birth of a real Finnish Fashion Week</a>. Local and international press and public are treated to an interesting programme, that culminates Friday with <strong><a href="http://living.aalto.fi/fi//program/naytos_fi/" target="_blank">Aalto University's new fashion designers' show</a></strong> and the launch of the exciting <strong><a href="http://www.ssawmagazine.com/" target="_blank">SSAW magazine</a></strong>.<br/><br/><a href="http://wdchelsinki2012.fi/en/news/2012-05-23/meeting-place-fashion-pros-and-enthusiasts" target="_blank"><strong>Helsinki Fashion Summit</strong></a> 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.<br/><br/>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 <strong>Henrik Vibskov</strong>, one of tomorrow's speakers (and one of <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/113504853078883629/" target="_blank">my Imaginary Boyfriends</a>).<br/><br/><a href="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/6a00d8341c76e453ef0167665cdd77970b-500wi.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-106" title="6a00d8341c76e453ef0167665cdd77970b-500wi" src="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/6a00d8341c76e453ef0167665cdd77970b-500wi.jpeg" alt="" width="500" height="500" /></a><br/><br/>(picture from<a href="http://dianepernet.typepad.com/diane/2012/05/henrik-vibskov-in-madrid-photo-by-fadfix.html" target="_blank"> A shaded view on fashion</a>)taruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12788206457574188019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637335348546774436.post-1765889018862859822012-05-08T23:19:00.000+03:002012-07-23T04:39:28.756+03:00If you really love it, put a pin on it.Like everyone else and their sister, I'm on <strong>Pinterest</strong>. <strong><a href="http://pinterest.com/tarut/" target="_blank">You can see things that make me go "Ooh la-la" here</a> </strong>- Whether they're fashion, interior ideas, artsy stuff, or <em>pretty boys</em>.<br/><br/>Speaking of internet crushes, here's my latest: <strong>Anya Ziourova</strong> (photographed here by <a href="http://thestreetfashion5xpro.blogspot.com/2012/05/in-streetanya-ziourova.html" target="_blank">The Streetfashion5xpro</a>) 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.<br/><br/><a href="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/9463.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-102" title="9463" src="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/9463.jpeg" alt="" width="700" height="1054" /></a>taruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12788206457574188019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637335348546774436.post-68096257609908485562012-05-04T18:33:00.000+03:002012-07-23T04:39:28.766+03:00Talking 'bout prints, baby!Super excited about dear old <strong>Marimekko'</strong>s new project <strong>Marimekko Proto</strong>.<br/><br/><a href="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/img_5128_multiedition1.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-94" title="IMG_5128_multiedition" src="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/img_5128_multiedition1.jpeg" alt="" width="598" height="434" /></a><br/><br/>Marimekko's head of Fashion Design <strong>Noora Niinikoski</strong> 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 <strong>Miika Lommi</strong>!<br/><br/> <br/>[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yhBugRLJLs]<br/>The four designers are <strong>Riikka Buri</strong>, <strong>Yonna Moriya</strong>, <strong>Emmakaisa Soisalo </strong>and one of my favourites (as a fashion designer and a person)<strong> Elina Määttänen. </strong>Fabulous, darlings!taruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12788206457574188019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637335348546774436.post-66333229986391692822012-05-04T18:28:00.000+03:002012-07-23T04:39:28.764+03:00Talking 'bout prints, baby!<p> </p><p><a href="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/img_5128_multiedition.jpeg"><img class="size-full wp-image" src="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/img_5128_multiedition.jpeg?w=487" alt="Image" /></a></p><p> </p>taruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12788206457574188019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637335348546774436.post-61791156822327906332012-05-03T13:22:00.000+03:002012-07-23T04:39:28.760+03:00Print is not deadRight now I'm very much<em> feeling </em>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 <a href="http://www.rh-the-label.com/rh/collections/ss-2012-runway-show-in-copenhagen"><strong>R/H</strong></a>'s looks for spring. Especially the black and white abstract print.<br/><br/><a href="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/img_3413_200.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-60" title="IMG_3413_200" src="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/img_3413_200.jpeg" alt="" width="1000" height="1500" /></a><br/><br/>And the green pants.<br/><br/><a href="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/img_3333_200.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-61" title="IMG_3333_200" src="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/img_3333_200.jpeg" alt="" width="1000" height="1500" /></a><br/><br/>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...<br/><br/><a href="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/longbeachdressblue00.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-62" title="longbeachdressblue00" src="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/longbeachdressblue00.jpeg" alt="" width="446" height="800" /></a><br/><br/>The designer duo R/H, <strong>Hanna Riiheläinen</strong> and <strong>Emilia Hernesniemi</strong>, 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 <strong>refreshingly grown-up</strong> 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.)<br/><br/>You can easily shop their stuff in Helsinki, just <a href="http://www.rh-the-label.com/rh/category/shop">stroll into their own mini shop at Uudenmaankatu</a> or the near-by <strong>Acolyth</strong> on Iso-Roobertinkatu. Out-of-towners should pay a visit at the <a href="http://www.rh-the-label.com/rh/category/shop">R/H web shop</a> and/or the <a href="http://www.acolyth.fi/blog/designers/rh/">Acolyth web store like</a>, <em>now</em>. <span style="font-size:small;">(All the stores that carry R/H <a href="http://www.rh-the-label.com/rh/retailers">listed here.</a> Support your local dealer!)</span>taruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12788206457574188019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637335348546774436.post-12904776156401202382012-04-23T20:39:00.000+03:002012-07-23T04:39:28.752+03:00Soft like a pillowOne can't have escaped noticing that for a few seasons now - or ever since (Etoile by) Isabel Marant became the <em>nom du jour</em> to drop in the blogging circles - it has been all about The Sweater. You know, the kind of almost anonymous, almost basic knitted tops in soft shades of gray or creamy beige, that you think you can find in a dusty corner of a thrift store or amongst your mum's nineties "treasures". But there's always something a bit off with the originals - the cut too boxy, the sleeves too short, the neckline too tight - or they've been machine-washed into a hard, cotton armor. Or, they contain an unforgivable amount of <em>acrylic fibres</em>.<br/><br/>In short, the best designer sweaters remind me of something my skilled and elegant mother would've knitted and worn in 1991. Luckily, she's still available and eager to work her magic with fine yarns and bambou needles. She gave me this pure merino sweater a couple of months ago and I have worn it almost daily. It feels as tender and warm as a mother's embrace. I don't think you could buy that even for designer prices...<br/><br/><a href="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/photo-on-2012-04-21-at-20-19-52.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-50 aligncenter" title="Photo on 2012-04-21 at 20.19 #5" src="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/photo-on-2012-04-21-at-20-19-52.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480" /></a><br/><br/>As you can see from the evening sun in the photos, the spring is finally, definitely here, and I can contemplate wearing something less woolly. My mum's already at work with some linen-cotton mixes. The summer looks promising.<br/><br/><a href="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/photo-on-2012-04-21-at-20-19.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-52" title="Photo on 2012-04-21 at 20.19" src="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/photo-on-2012-04-21-at-20-19.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480" /></a>taruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12788206457574188019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2637335348546774436.post-64723374021816113672012-04-21T19:00:00.000+03:002012-07-23T04:39:28.761+03:00One should either be a work of art or wear a work of art.This new blog of mine is supposed to cover both fashion and art. In addition to my on-going, troubled odyssey of personal style, I want to share inspiration from all fields of art, showcase aspiring and established Finnish fashion designers and try to keep up with what's going on in these scenes here.<br/><br/>My absolute favourite things happen, when the art and fashion worlds collide. That's why I must start with a post about a very special artist, who inspires me both through his work and as an impeccably stylish person. <a href="http://thinkexist.com/quotation/one_should_either_be_a_work_of_art-or_wear_a_work/153890.html"><strong>Oscar Wilde</strong> would approve:</a> the artist makes works of art of himself wearing works of art!<br/><br/><strong>Ari Pelkonen</strong> is currently Finland's Young Artist of the Year. His work blends woodcut technique and painting, and <a href="http://www.tampere.fi/english/artmuseum/exhibitions.html">has been described as the most elegant art in Finland</a>. I would concur and add that he's the most elegant artist anywhere that I know of.<br/><br/><a href="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/vnt_kokokuvamg_7851.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-30" title="VNT_KokokuvaMG_7851" src="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/vnt_kokokuvamg_7851.jpg" alt="" width="760" height="1280" /></a><br/><br/>I guess you might call most of Ari's paintings self-portraits. He uses his own stylishly dressed person as a figure, and builds on it with layers of luscious colours. Or at least that's my uneducated way of describing it, you should definitely go and see for yourself. Do hurry - the exhibition at <strong>Tampere Art Museum</strong> closes after TOMORROW, Sunday the 22nd.<br/><br/><a href="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/ari_pelkonen_white_2011.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-31" title="Ari_Pelkonen,_White,_2011" src="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/ari_pelkonen_white_2011.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="1159" /></a><br/><br/>I first met Ari at my absolute favourite store, <a href="http://www.helsinki10.fi/"><strong>Helsinki 10</strong></a>. His style encapsulates everything I adore about their selection, atmosphere and staff. He wears the avantgarde stuff by the likes of Demeulemeester and Owens with a natural ease, and he -like most of the people who work at the store - is also very naturally friendly, kind and welcoming.<br/><br/>I think my favourite piece of art in the world at the moment is "Tricky" by Ari Pelkonen. It's pink, and there's a picture of a pony!<br/><br/><a href="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/tricky_trickymg_77432.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-33" title="Tricky_TrickyMG_7743" src="http://ineedanewheart.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/tricky_trickymg_77432.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="1184" /></a> (All pictures courtesy of <a href="http://www.tampere.fi/taidemuseo/media.html">Tampere Art Museum</a>.)taruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12788206457574188019noreply@blogger.com3