On the Street. Lady My, Lauttasaari Helsinki.

December has been the darkest month in a year in Helsinki. There is no snow at all and the shortest period of daylight, just six hours a day. And with cloudy sky it can be miserable.

Therefor, when I saw this lady walking towards me in her colorful coat and pink hair bun, at once I needed to tell her: ”Oh Mrs, your outfit is so marvellous!”. Unlike I assumed, she didn’t look happy at all. Instead she passed me rapidly mumbling to her male companion: ”…you are wrong, I’m no Mrs…”

Well, in this business one can go wrong. But then again, the muttering completed this person to Lady My, grown up version of Tove Jansson’s Little My. She is always somewhat angry or pissed at one thing or two.

This image may be a symbol of the ending decade. It has good reason to be a little angry. Eternal farewell, you know. There it walks to the left and gives space to new one. Happy New Year! Let the new decade bring good adventures for you.

On the Street. Silk Scarf Makes the Style, Ruoholahti, Helsinki

I saw this woman from bus window. She was waiting a bus and stood there like sunshine. During winter and cold springtime people haven’t used too much color in their outfits. Therefor it was a pleasant surprise to find this carefully thought combination. Apparently inspired by spring and sunshine.

Note the bright colored silk scarf on her neck. The use of silk scarves is the knowledge of older women. Knowledge how to add the final touch to the outfit. A splash of gentle amount of pattern in otherwise quite simple outfit makes the difference.

I have promised myself try to live not to buy any new clothes. Because frankly thought, I have already something for any occasion in closet. There is one exception to this rule.

If I find a beautiful silk scarf from second-hand store at bargain price (under 10 €) I have permission to make an investment. Because that’s what it is. Silk scarf feels luxurious, the pattern and color gives many possibilities to alter the mood of outfit and the gentle warmth to neckline is welcomed in winter. With accurate care silk scarf lasts a lifetime. Good investment, right?

On the Street. Vuokko Wool Coat, Kamppi, Helsinki.

In Kamppi bus terminal I stepped out of the bus and saw something bright blue with bold print hurrying in front of me. Of course I made my steps go with her pace and we had this conversation:

”Oh what a wonderful beautiful coat you have!”
”Oh, thanks.”
”Where did you find it?”
”Err, I bought it from UFF secondhand store.”
”Okay, but WHO has made it? It looks so special.”
”Oh, you mean that. It is VUOKKO.”
”There we go, no wonder it looks so great. I suggest you next time tell straight away it is Vuokko-coat and tell secondly that UFF-thing.”
”Yes, you are right. It is great that someone’s trash is another woman’s treasure.”

To you who don’t know Vuokko, it is the label of Vuokko Eskolin-Nurmesniemi. She is the designer of the first Marimekko hits and later she created a label of her own. In one interview she said, among other things, that she believes in sustainable development. As a designer she works for continuity rather than trends. Vuokko is still working in the age of 86.

Vuokko has definitely succeeded in her ideas. Marimekko still uses her iconic designs, like Jokapoika -shirt (I have two) and Piccolo-pattern. Just to mention few evergreen items. And this bright blue wool coat was like new! I assume it is maybe originally from 80’s. Sustainable fashion it is, right.

On the Street. Red Rubber Boots, Mannerheimintie, Helsinki.

Once in Instagram someone commented about the fact, that Finnish women seem to prefer flat shoes instead high heels. That is true. Fortunately, the Finnish society does not place women expected value, how to dress.

Therefor there is great liberty if you like to walk in heels or flat shoes. Nobody cares. Most Finnish women apparently like the ability to move around freely without pain or other inconvenience. They choose flat shoes. Me too. I wear high heels less than once in a year.

This young lady leads the way in this path. Her brave red rubber boots are both practical and beautiful in rainy day in Helsinki City Center. She looks just lovely in her furry beret, jeans jacket and floral skirt.

I have heard, that women using flat shoes, isn’t the norm everywhere. In Great Britain a woman even must dress up in high heels if one wants to work for government positions. Correct me if I am wrong.

I think this is very odd. It is so old fashion to treat women as butterflies. Why make them suffer from day to day? I am sure that this regulation limits the number of qualified women to apply for those positions. At least it should not be the height of shoe heels that has any role in the work requirements.

On the Street. Friendship Seals the Style, Kamppi Helsinki.

Here we have a fine example how friendship seals the style. At least with lady friends under, say, 25 years. In this case pleated skirts, graphic patterns and color scheme of black and white spiced with mint and lavender.

Otherwise black and white patterns seem to be quite trendy now in Helsinki. At least when you visit museums and art exhibitions. The audience seems to dress up in graphic patterns.

With friends we are stronger. After summer holiday August is a fresh start. So let’s remember to support our close friends, classmates and work pals in their efforts. That’s a good beginning for a new semester and autumn season.

Catwalk. Mary Katrantzou, Fall Winter 2016.

Thanks to Instagram I have found new inspiring fashion labels. Like Mary Katrantzou that attended to London Fashion Week with her fall winter 2016 collection. Open-minded pattern combinations always attract my visual eye. Feels like Wild West Cowboys and Matryoshkas have given hi five in this collection.

Seasons. Frozen January, Keskuskatu, Helsinki.

It seems to be a rule. January comes and so does true winter frost and Russian tourists. Headlines screamed: Siberia frost sweeps Finland. And it really has felt like it with frost measurements going down to 25 degrees below zero.

In this illustration is a lady that I saw in Keskuskatu doing some window shopping while waiting friends. To me it seemed that the winter itself has settled down to the pattern of the padded coat. Freezing temperatures makes the colors of air and clouds minimal and crisp. The color palette of the wintertime surroundings is pretty much like in this picture.

For the past few days we have had a beautiful snowfall as well. It feels like 3D animation movie while looking at the snowflakes dance behind the window. Hypnotic and chance to have a mindfulness moment when you stand by really looking at it.

Happy New Year With Marimekko ss 2016

Happy New Year 2016! New Year can be seen as blank cartoon grid that is waiting to be filled during the year. Last October Marimekko presented their ss 2016 collection in Paris Fashion Weeks for the first time ever. It can be seen kind of a new start. The collection is the first one totally lead by the new head of design Anna Teurnell and a fresh breeze from nordic district.

The best part with Marimekko is that the clothes are for everyday life and for every woman no matter what the size may be. Clean minimalist design spiced with characteristic bold patterns is easy going and smart at the same time.

I confess to belong to Marimekko fan club. Marimekko clothes I have in my wardrobe belong to the ones I use the most. Marimekko stands self evidently among the Finnhits-club of Flash For Zonzon. Click the tag finnhits to find out the rest of the heroes.

Ready – Steady – GO
Let’s start filling the empty cartoon grid of year 2016!

On the Street. Shangri-La Girls, Lauttasaari, Helsinki.

These girls I met in Studio Shangri-La opening party. I'm sorry, but this will be a little Helsinki-centric post.

I am happy to say that the new players have appeared in my neighbourhood. Just to mention few, yoga studios, culture center Sähinä and at the end of summer Studio Shangri-La opened doors. It is the homeland of Burlesque Culture in Helsinki. There you can take part in their dance classes like Burlesque dance and Shimmy n’Shake. There is weekend Dance Workshops with guest stars like Miss Chrissy Kiss. They also offer Seasonal Yoga, pilates and body care. Nice package indeed.

In addition they have a performing group The Shangri-La School of Showgirls. Maybe you’d like to hire them to perform in your Pre Christmas party?

What I’m dreaming of is that the studio would be a perfect place to organize live drawing class. Croquis drawing and the models would be the burlesque-people. At least at the opening party the people looked fabulous. Feminine tattooed ladies in high heels. I wanted to draw every second person in the party.

If you feel like your inner cabaret queen has never had place to flourish, this might be your place.

It seems that there are several Shangri-Las around the globe. So I better give a direct link to their Shangri-La Facebook-page. So you can act if you feel like it.

By the way, I have no connection with Shangri-La, I'm just spreading the good news.

On the Street. Twinkle Star Fairy, Cable Factory, Helsinki.

It was a splendid sunny autumn day when – for a while – I thought I saw the Fairy. Someone walked towards me gleaming in sunshine. Blue hair flying around. Coming closer I realized it was big glittery stars on her sweater that reflected the sunshine so effectively. The long hair was dyed halfway to blue colour. That’s my fairy all right.

On the Street. Graphic Style, Kaapelifactory, Helsinki.

Minimalist black and white outfit to which is added graphic patterns on like shawl, tote bag and skirt. Calm and eye pleasing sight. And still a hint of yellow peeking under the black coat. Refreshing like spring itself. And a matching grey tone comes from asphalt of the streets.

On the Street. Fairytale Girl, Forum, Helsinki.

When I met this lovely girl at Forum shopping center, I felt to meet a girl from a fairytale. Is she on the way to meadow to pick up the wild magic carrots for her pet rabbit? The shape of the outfit, coloring, wide hem, bird pattern in hemline and pink frill. Sigh.

Of course I needed to tell my admiration to her. As a reward I got to hear that the origin of the dress was a web-shop in America. However the pink underskirt didn’t belong to the package. That was her own idea. The dress was sleeveless, if you wanna know. I did. The best was that she was going to dance the night. After she had fed the pet rabbit.

Catwalk. In the Footsteps of Vasarely, Valentino FW 2014.

Few weeks ago I visited Emma, Espoo Museum of Modern Art. There is a nice little exhibition of Victor Vasarely (1906-1997) going on. Vasarely is the guy who was a pioneer of optical art. His artwork has influenced strongly to fashion of 60’s.

Even in today we can see some echoes of that period. Valentino FF 2014 is a lovely sample of this. The fantastic patterns really get noticed.

If you are heading to Emma and Vasarely as well, I recommend to look at the documentary films also. That certainly gives some more value to the exhibition experience.

At some point Vasarely was very systematic while planning his artwork. He had some 15 different shapes, with which he was able to create endlessly number of new artworks. He made the models in small scale at his desk and the assistants painted the final huge paintings. Vasarely had the design roots in Bauhaus. So the mass production was a natural choice to him. He pointed the idea that art belongs to people.

It was funny how the surroundings of city of Helsinki started look like pure Vasarely after the experience. The big office buildings with glass walls with thousand little square windows reflecting the light are so Vasarely.

Vasarely actually dreamed of cities that would have been covered with his artwork. Large scale. One huge house wall, one huge circle in the center. Next huge wall, next huge circle. And the same course like the whole city. Not a bad dreamer, I think.

The official artist website of Victor Vasarely you can find here:
http://www.vasarely.com

On the Street. Mixing Patterns, Lauttasaari, Helsinki.

I encountered this older lady on the way to the library. Mixing different patterns is one style I truly like. She sure knows how to do it. Stripes, plaid, delicate lines, polka dots, rhythmic short lines all goes in peace and harmony. If you stick in limited range of colors (black and white in this case), the pattern mix is easier to succeed for sure.

On the Street. Hand Patterned Stockings, Lauttasaari, Helsinki.

I was walking back home from work one day. I noticed that something interesting is coming up. As we passed each other I realized it was the graphic hand pattern in her stockings that could be seen hundreds of meters away. Very effective and somehow cheerful sight too.

Seasons. Happy New Year 2014!

I wish Happy New Year 2014! Let it be full of love and inspiration.

Finnhits. Costo X Johanna Gullichsen.

 

 Oh how I love this collaboration of Costo with Johanna Gullichsen. They have made a special collection of Costo Kombai hats with high quality 100% cotton fabrics designed by Johanna Gullichsen. There isn't two similar hats in the selection, each one of the hats are unique. And one of them is mine now! Could'n resist the temptation while autumn is coming closer and closer. Well, I'm ready now to change the season.

I have praised already earlier Costo – hats with pompoms. Now I'd like to open your mind to see Johanna Gullichsen's designs.

Johanna Gullichsen Textile Craft & Design offers an extensive range of woven textiles for modern living. Her patterns are filled with striped geometry and rhythm. She makes designs that are modern and classic at the same time. Natural materials fill the circle of comfort and Scandinavian style.  

Just look at her bags and purses. They are just my taste. Let's see when my footsteps lead to the Helsinki store in Fredrikinkatu…
Now when I have the hat…  It could be like that… Ooh, it's pure poetry.
Another flagship store is located in Paris, rue du Cherche-Midi. If you can't make you way to these two, there is a Johanna Gullichsen webshop too.

For Fun. Reading Jules Verne.

 

 I have spent my Summer Holiday part two in countryside in Finland. The aim has been to load batteries by not doing anything special. There isn't much happening on the streets around here. Only cows walk the back yard in the meadow.

In the evenings I have read Jules Verne wonderful book Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea to my daughters. For the first time in my life I'm really getting to know the adventurous story of submarine Nautilus.

In the book they constantly describe the beauty of Marine blossom. When they are sailing the Red Sea, it is described how the red color has come to the water from tiny red colored Infusoria. Thousands in one square centimeter. What would that be if you look at it under a microscope? My wild guess is above.

For Fun. Holiday Doodles from Sketch Book.

Hi. My little journey is over and I'm back in Helsinki again. I had some marvelous time warming my bones in sunshine. Here I'm  showing you some doodles from my sketch book.

This pattern is made for fun by me and my daughter. Both begun drawing from one end of the paper. Then we turned the paper and added something on another person drawing. And then we turned the paper again and added something and so on…

Catwalk. Good Solutions for Bad Hair Day, SS 2013.

 

Hi everybody! The Summer has finally arrived in Helsinki. Ooh, the sweet sunshine and warmth. We have been waiting but now it's time to enjoy the best of this summer season.

When days get really hot it's nice to tie the hair off your neck. Also, if you happen to have a bad hair day, the best solution is to tie the hair in ponytail or bun. In catwalks of SS 2013 we saw some ideas how to embellish or help you to forget the whole hair mess.

I like a lot the idea of Dolce & Gabbana SS 2013. Bun first, then tie silk scarf around your head. Girly and elegant. 

Max Mara SS 2013 presented another solution that is handy for bad hair day. All you need is a tube scarf of right color and you are salon operating at once.

Also Marc by Marc Jacobs used head scarves in his SS 2013 collection. I loved the way he combined the different patterns with each other. Here we saw that a scarf is a very variable accessory. You can bind your summer dress with scarf of protect your head from the burning the sun or cover your neck and shoulders.

 I sure am a scarf person as my mother is. Back in the 70's when I was kid, the use of head scarves was a kind of fashion. My mother also tied a white scarf around her head. It became a little turban-like result. Then she felt to be very stylish, as she was. But then a neighbor's child commented whether our mother hurt her head.

Well, let's say it may lead to misunderstandings if you are the true pioneer in fashion.