On the Street. Tones of Black Color, Kamppi, Helsinki.

 

 Rapidly thinking about color black, it feels like it’s always the same. The color that has absorbed all light itself. But then I see an outfit like this and notice that in color black there is plenty of variations like in any other color. Depending on which material, leather or wool or something else, the appearance of black color varies a lot. Thanks to the beanie with bobble, this look has some playful character.

Seasons. Weather Girl Portraits.

I organized a little at my studio and came across the old drawings. There was three imaginary portraits made with black ink. I remember that I thought that they were some kind of horoscope girls when I drew them. But they lack all the symbolism of astronomy and horoscopes. Therefore, they are, rather, the Weather Girls.

You know, in Finland each month has its own character and weather type. Four main seasons, but even each month has something of their own. The first lady is Miss January, ice cold. The second is Miss February, snowstorm. In the future we shall see what kind is the character of the rest of the months.

Interesting is to see, if I can still catch the style of these illustrations. However, they are drawn more that ten years ago. Anyway, it will be a nice project.

On the Street. Choose Your Color, Kaisaniemi, Helsinki.

Here we have a simple trick to look nice without too much effort. Choose one accent color to complement the usual black look. Like in this case green scarf and stockings. The dimensions and length of different pieces in this outfit somehow feels like 20th century.
I can smell a hint of springtime also.

On the Street. Beanie Girls, Forum, Helsinki.

Girls girls girls, at some point, say, under twenties girls may have this idea. The idea to dress similar way as friends do. If one invents some splendid style idea it is soon shared with best friends.

This felt to be the case with these girls hanging out in a cafe. All three dressed in look alike beanies and straight hair peeking on both sides of cheeks, otherwise tones of grey to black. And yes, this is the way to feel safe in confusing world. Be part of something, to be sure of themselves. Maybe later there will be time to make more individual choices.

On the Street. Armament Against Winter, Laru, Helsinki.

Living in the Nordic levels, like Finland, requires special attitude against cold winter weather. The first days of coldness – I mean lower that minus ten degrees Celsius – feels pure violence against humanity. The only way to survive pleasantly is to dress up in wool garments and long johns under pants, no matter how much you happen to hate them. Many of us Finns have lifelong love-hate relationship with long johns.

On first days of coldness life feels like being Moomin packed in all layers of wool, but as winter continues it starts to be more like status quo between surviving and wintertime. Personally I’m relying on merino wool and silk/merino wool blend, which I truly, of should I say warmly, recommend to stay warm. And voilá, this way life is sweet with possibility to enjoy winter sports like skiing and skating or have a nice stroll in the beautiful white snowy landscape.

How about our main character illustrated above, does he have long johns or not? At least he appeared to be quite chilled with only nose and glasses peeking above layers of long scarf around his neck. From a distance the sight felt like a giant rectangle on two thin sticks approaching scurry towards me.

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Once before I have told a story about a person who never uses long johns no matter what. Here is a direct link to that particular long johns story.

On the Street. Mickey Mouse Beanie, Ruttopuisto, Helsinki.

6-10th January was time for Lux Helsinki Festival. It’s the happening where light artwork is arranged along the route in city center. For this year the happening is past and gone, but you can still make it through Lux Helsinki -website. Thousands of people wandered along the route in crisp frost weather, when I attended on last day. All age groups together enjoying of the light visions.

I saw this young lady In Ruttopuisto along the route. Bobble hat with two pom poms made her beanie look like Mickey Mouse headpiece. This piece would be nice knitting DIY-project. Alternatively you can pimp a random black beanie with two handmade black bobbles.

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. Santa’s Helper in Blue, Kamppi, Helsinki.

A little time ago I stood in the queue and to spent time I looked around if something interesting happened to hit the horizon. And yes, this older gentleman stood after me in the queue. Majority of people in Helsinki rely dark tone clothes in winter. So this gentleman was like mermaid from Mediterranean Sea against the dark grey street scene.

So I sighed out loud: "Oh man, you have the colors in place. I truly admire your color choices!"
In which he replied with twinkle in the eye: "Oh, these are the only clothes that I have. I am such a Santa’s helper. The season is just underway. Blue is as good as red and besides, I have a somewhat reddish Christmas hat on my head… and a green pullover."

My suspicions have been realized. If you don’t remember check out the previous post. It seems that blue is the new red in Santa’s world. It’s just the case that some prefers indigo and other brighter tones of blue. Blue is the common denominator in both these cases. So what do you like about this my dear reader!

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I wish a relaxed Christmas time to you and your loved ones!

On the Street. Wandering in Darkness, Helsinki.

In Helsinki we wander in darkness. Concretely, I mean. Today sun rises 9am and the sun sets 3:18pm. At the moment our mornings are dark like in this illustration. People walk engrossed in their own thoughts looking on the ground, three meters distance. The darkness comes so close that it seals the feelings for many. All we are waiting is snow that would bring the light.

This older gentleman came across me one morning. So deep in his thoughts I almost could hear his brain gear wheel ticking. I thought that maybe he is actually Santa Claus helper, a tomte (tonttu in Finnish) that doesn’t care too much about red color. He prefers blue instead. As individualist this tomte does what he pleases. He has conjured a lighting lantern to look like white plastic bag not to arouse too much attention. It still glows a gentle light.

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If you want to know more about Scandinavian tomte tradition in Wikipedia just click your way to article.