// Summer inspiration

Posted on | February 27, 2011 | 4 Comments

I’ve been browsing through the spring collections — and I have to say that I’m quite inspired. The practical ideas I’g going to steal this year are…

…the unadorned road dust aesthetics from Diesel Black and Gold. The weird western minimalism really inspires me, the dusty colors and that awesome blue and brown print. Very summery in quite unexpected way.

…the brights and neons, especially at Jonathan Saunders and Christopher Kane. Saunders looks so fresh and very wearable, a wardrobe fairy could bring me the whole Saunders collection and one of those Kane tattoo print skirts with neon adornments any time. Plus I was so amused with that queen Elizabeth on acid –theme… …I bet that one of those bright perforated leather pieces would be very workable as well. I see plenty of common between these two shows, classic silhouettes, referring to 30’s and 40’s, rebellious ways of using color. Kane excels with his innovative ways of using materials, I’m pretty blown by all that detailed seaming, piping, pleating and beading…

…subtle textures and layering at Phillip Lim. A beaded apron for layering… …how easy would that be to DIY? The textured gray dress looks awesome.

…the colored leather and sporty layers at Marni.

…the exquisite underwear looks at Meadham Kirchoff. The ultra layered styling is so over the top — but very inspiring at the same time. I have huge appreciation for their work, the shows are always ultimate eye candy — and there is always so many covetable pieces. Those sheer underwear dresses… …huge eyelet embroidered tunics… …printed jackets… I’m so very happy that I saved one of their Topshop pieces from last summer sales — I hope that one day I will have a piece of real deal…

…sheer layers, material mixes and utilitarian details from Rag & Bone. The show had such an amount of cleavage and nipple exposure that when I first scanned it through I did not get that exited. It’s not that I mind, but it is not the way I can see myself dressing up, so too much of it definitely alienates me (I tend to skip very bust-exposure-centered designers like Cavalli alltogether). But actually the material combinations and the way to show plenty of undergarment detail with sheerest of top layer grew on me. Red is not my favorite color but this is totally a way I can see myself wearing it, a sheer layer thrown over a printed dress or mixed with neutral layers and chunky knits.

…at Dries van Noten the sparingly used color and sparkle with plenty of white looks so cool and fresh. The easiest layering piece ever — almost rectangular tunic dress in various lengths might appear to my wardrobe as a DIY version…

…so the take home point of this — the must things for me next summer are definitely sheer layering pieces. I should wipe the dust off from my sewing machine.

Posted on | February 27, 2011 | 4 Comments

// Northern treasures

Posted on | February 26, 2011 | 1 Comment

Well, there has been lots of jewelry browsing lately (the clothes shopping break, perhaps )… …and it has been a long time since I last time introduced any Finnish designers here — so — good thing I got a mail from Chao-Hsien Kuo from Chao and Eero.

Chao started her studies in US and jumped to the unknown just because she got a recommendation of goldsmithing school in Lahti. She did not speak the language; and frankly these –20 C temperatures can be quite unwelcoming — but she enjoyed the school and was able to see to the soul of Finnish people — truly we are friendly and honest people, there is just a coating of grumpiness, bad manners and terrible drinking habits covering and protecting our delicate inners!

The rest is “the usual story” (her own words) — she met Eero Hintsanen, a goldsmith as well — and Chao and Eero is their love child.

I saw their jewelry for the first time couple of years ago in a young designers sales exhibition at Stockmann department store. Finnish designers are known to get inspiration from the nature, in such extent that it can be almost tiresome. But Chao and Eero have a delightful playfulness going on in their nature inspired designs and the urban vibes live parallel or mix to the organic elements, that makes their designs stand out for me.

Pearls… …meh… …except in these Bubbles stacking rings! I love the unusual take on the most conservative of all adornments.

Butterfly series, heavy brushed silver with surprisingly delicate looking, quite minimal detail. The cuff is so beautiful.

The brand was born on Valentine’s day 2005 and “Follow your heart” series celebrates the 6th anniversary. I really like the delicate and traditional shape of heart mixed to the strong, semi-organic, almost futuristic shapes.

“Inbetween rings” are bit of their trademark, you can find one in most of their collections. The sign rings were the first inbetween ring I had ever seen, I remember being quite baffled before I figured out the concept…

I have been bit absent lately, but I just did a small project related to this blog, back to that soon, I guess!

Posted on | February 26, 2011 | 1 Comment

// To rule them all?

Posted on | February 15, 2011 | 3 Comments

Oh, I got this beautiful Astley Clarke ring as a Valentine’s present. It has a special function — it is my #2 wedding ring. The smooth and thin Rapture works perfectly well in everyday use, I don’t need to remove it when washing my hands — and it feels good and natural when on. Still… …it is a very special piece with lots of character, and I love the variety I get with the white gold original and this gold plated new one.

Well, I probably need to switch my gloves to mitts… …but that I should have done ages ago, we are having such a wintery winter here right now…

The people in Astley Clarke sure know a thing or two about the customer service. Look how lovely little pressie I got!

Posted on | February 15, 2011 | 3 Comments

// Too gorgeous

Posted on | February 9, 2011 | 1 Comment

Tapestry coat from Rodarte for Opening Ceremony. Oh those powdery shades and carpet details, what a treasurable piece!

For economical reasons I probably dig out a second hand tapestry coat I already have — and test if it finally fits over my bust, haha!

Posted on | February 9, 2011 | 1 Comment

// White pumps

Posted on | February 3, 2011 | 1 Comment

Quite an unexpected winner from United Nude. I totally see myself wearing these…

Posted on | February 3, 2011 | 1 Comment

// Finished

Posted on | February 1, 2011 | 3 Comments

My first DIY addition this year to my already bulging wardrobe got finished a while ago. A knit poncho might not be a trendiest garment right now, but this particular one with very simple structure, exposed single seam, beautiful stitch pattern and awesome quality yarn was one I could not pass. You can find the pattern from Joelle Hoverson’s Last Minute Knitted Gifts — and the yarn is absolutely amazing Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Hand Dyes. You can’t really see it in these pictures, but there is subtle variation in the yarn color, which makes the knitted surface very lively. And it feels so lovely… …alpaca has a very special, slippery soft hand feel…

I have been using it over my coats, like oversized scarf. Here it is as a part of simple outfit, with Cheap Monday jeans, Acne boxy rayon sweater and lovely Vietto recycled cotton scarf on top — co-incidentally these two knits are almost the same color.

Posted on | February 1, 2011 | 3 Comments

About

Location: Helsinki, Finland

Contact: kamicha (a) gmail dot com

I'm especially interested in young designers creations, non-established labels and indie fashion. So if you have something interesting to show, feel free to contact!

You can find Finnish design from both specific and some outfit posts - but both are tagged.

You might be also interested in DIY posts, How-to posts, DIY ideas - or my adventures in Etsy =).

More about me and this blog.