// Workspace iterations round one

Posted on | June 28, 2011 | No Comments

Sorry about the absence lately — my interest on taking style pictures has been extremely low — and I have been traveling a bit. Plus there is an ongoing project… …probably reaching some sort of recognizable development stage in the near future.

Our apartment has probably originally been two rooms and a kitchen — but currently it is more or less T-shaped open floor plan with delightfully large mezzanine over the bathroom. The mezzanine/bathroom complex serves also as a partial space divider — the other (larger) wing of the T is our kitchen/living room. The other one was about to be our bedroom, but we soon moved our mattress to mezzanine, it’s more quiet place to sleep.

So the other room — which actually is not a room in the sense that it is part of this open floor area — has been bit of neglected. Okay, we have a huge row of closets there (my wardrobe) and my grandmother’s dressing table, kind of ugly utilitarian post-war thing, however I still like it and it even has some sentimental value in it, my grandmother was really close to me and the dressing table indeed reminds me of her. But the room has very little function, and we don’t spend much time in there. That is a shame — the room has a huge, beautiful window and lots of natural light flooding in. I guess that the only sane thing to do is to build my workspace there. I know that the plan will not be optimal — I still want to keep the dressing table and the closets occupy a huge amount of space — but I doubt that we will get any more floor space (and rooms) in this city any time soon. So I have to play with the cards I’m given.

The working station will be a standing one with my beautiful, fragrant (oh yes, the Apple computers have distinct, lovely scent) iMac with minimal peripheral / wire spaghetti. So there will be plenty of room for playing with aesthethics. The idea will be to blend some of our old stuff with quite few new purchases… …browse the flea markets for some decor/useful finds, maybe DIY something. The overall impression will hardly be minimal, I need to fit in my dressing mannequin and plenty of dressing/photographing/crafts/drawing related stuff — plus the stone-walled rooms in this old building are cold and have harsh acoustic image when too empty. So there will be stuff. The materials will be contrasting: soft and hard, smooth and textured, shiny and matte, organic and industrial… …I want a space that is inspirational, welcoming, warm and vibrant.

The desk is new — and although I will be standing most of the time some sort of lightweight stool is necessary. I think I will be using our kitchen stair/stool until I have saved for this beauty called Sella (by Zanotta, designed by Castiglioni brothers). But the lampshade by Love Frankie I could get instantly, I would love to find a quirky old table lamp foot to combine with it and place the whole thing behind the iMac to cast some gentle light over my everyday scrubbing spot…

Posted on | June 28, 2011 | No Comments

// Not your regular leatherware

Posted on | June 17, 2011 | 5 Comments

All these beautiful leather items are from Etsy seller Karen Kell. The pieces are folk and vintage inspired — but still manage to look fresh. These are not even the only gems I spotted in her extensive Etsy shop. I relly like the link structure she uses in both shoes and bags, combined to the hand tooled leather it somehow brings Rodarte to my mind. Gorgeous work!

Thank you for the hint, Minna!

Posted on | June 17, 2011 | 5 Comments

// Klein blue heat

Posted on | June 13, 2011 | 9 Comments

Summer in this country is full of surprises — last week was awesome… …heat, sun, summery winds — and the rude awakening to the state of heat appropriate part of my wardrobe. There’s nothing wrong on going to park in a pair of jean cutoffs — but hey, I have still some work to do before holiday. Structured skirts crease, delicate fabrics stain, high percentage man made fibers feel like plastic…

So, the quick solution was this lightweight pair of palazzo pants from Zara. My wardrobe truly has lacked a pair of super wide leg.The fabric is actually awesomely heat proof, it is a mix of cool viscose and polyester — it dries instantly, breathes well and drapes so beautifullyand a light crease finish makes it extremely easy to wear. Can’t really say that they are flattering to my average height, normal weight frame — but do I really care? Nevertheless, the amount of lightweight fabric around my legs feels quite luxurious — and they are so comfortable to wear!

I really like strong and bright blues — but again I was not into color blocking — gave in to minimalism, though. Soft nudes, browns, golds and bronze mix also well with this shade. My simple peachy nude silk shell is ancient and from French Connection (I love it, but honestly I still feel too boobalicious in it, thus the side poses with strategically placed hand…), plain chocolate brown wood soled sandals from Bianco — and the resin bangle by Sobral adds the finishing touch.

Posted on | June 13, 2011 | 9 Comments

// The brighter shade of shade

Posted on | June 9, 2011 | No Comments

I absolutely want an inexpensive paper parasol for this summer. And I’m not speaking of a drink-sized one! Could there be any funnier accessory — not to mention the chemical-free sun protection…

Polka dot parasol by Nine Red.

Posted on | June 9, 2011 | No Comments

// Summer accessories part one

Posted on | June 6, 2011 | No Comments

This spring I have been searching for an upper arm bangle from flea markets, Etsy and such with no luck. Fortunately I checked the neighborhood — not necessarily in the upper-arm-bangle-business — however I found that accessory label gTIE had moved the studio to the house next door. gTIE got started from Jenni Ahtiainen’s guest to find alternatives to traditional neckties. Today Jenni’s boutique designs and produces a wide range of accessories for men and women… …from necktie alternatives to jewelry and leather accessories.

gTIE accessories certainly have their roots in rock and punk culture, but I get some Scandinavian minimalism from Jenni’s designs as well. Many of her accessories are well adaptable to many styles. I was very drawn to a certain piece — a neck corset constructed from thin leather straps — but in the name of convenience (yes, the corset had just laces to attach it, with multiple tiny holes to lace into) and in fear of funny tan lines I bought this simple and beautiful arm chain. It fills the void of upper arm bangle, but is more comfortable to wear — and nicely upgrades those summery everyday outfits. With the arm chain I feel like I made an effort — even when wearing those denim cutoffs *yawn* and a t-shirt *ZZZZZZZZ*.

T-shirt is old Diesel one — I love this particular shade of purple and it goes so well with my coloring. Cutoffs, old as well… …H&M.

Posted on | June 6, 2011 | No Comments

// Thank you, Fleamarket Fairy!

Posted on | June 5, 2011 | 2 Comments

I just cant walk past Fredrikinkatu UFF without dropping in. These days the store is truly clean and organized — color coordinated rails are snap to browse through and the selection is so huge that there sure are some gems hiding…

My flea market strategy is that I often have some idea what I’m after — currently I’m searching for oversized mohair sweater / cardigan, 80’s jacket, anything with great print and silk shirts in bright colors… These ideas can’t be too precise, the best part in thrifting is that the things I find just quite fit to the schema I’m having — thus challenging and broadening my style horizon.

Well, I sure browsed through the jacket rails and my hand just stopped to one particular dry and dense fabric in red rail. Closer inspection revealed it to be an exceptionally well made shirt jacket, probably from 80’s — but the real surprise was the label, yes, the jacket was from YSL diffusion line Variation. The jacket shape was not quite what I was after — not to mention the color, red is always challenging to me — this one is truly vibrant, shifting to orange. But when I tried it on I instantly saw the possibilities.

It is quite a bit a granny jacket, but I think that these neutral colored separates refresh it nicely. Being my trustworthy washed black (grey that is) Cheap Monday jeans, slouchy rose flesh toned H&M tank and my workhorse boots from Ash.

Posted on | June 5, 2011 | 2 Comments

// Bending the office code

Posted on | June 1, 2011 | 1 Comment

I know that in the near future I will be wearing jackets and blazers more than I have used to lately. But I probably can get away with less than formal ones… …maybe with that printed one from Topshop, soft and easy kimono style from Zara — or fabulously reduced NOM*D painted blazer from Amelie Boutique sale (thanks again, Kingdom of Style!).

Posted on | June 1, 2011 | 1 Comment

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.