// That shoulder… …thing…

Posted on | September 29, 2011 | 3 Comments

Oh, girly beyond the measure!

This weird mass of a knit on my shoulders is truly an accessory — Warmi shoulder straps in gorgeous baby alpaca, from The Moon & Mars as well. My second favorite shopping strategy (after shopping second hand in musty charity shops) is to browse the remains of sales in small web boutiques — unique items, low prices!

Actually when I picked this I had two of my old mohair sweaters in mind — too bad that I found that I had already got rid of them… Nevertheless this thing can be worn over any top with fitting arm insets. It is extremely impractical below coats — that slightly limits its use in the wintertime. It’s easy to slip on, though, so that monkey brain looking thing I’m digging from my purse is probably just a knit shoulder accessory…

It sits pretty well over my ancient AllSaints cardigan — and I figured again another way to wear the cardi, the long straps tied together and just hung behind the neck. The dress is from Cheap Monday — a sale find from last year, tights by Falke and again those Docs. If you suspect that there is some thing going on between me and Dr Marten you are absolutely right. I’ve had severe and persistent IT-band issues the whole summer continuing to the autumn — thus the low heel is still strongly preferred on daily basis. I really need a pair of basic brogues this autumn, most of my low heels are too summery — or too informal for certain situations.

Posted on | September 29, 2011 | 3 Comments

// Oh, dear… …COS web store open

Posted on | September 29, 2011 | 2 Comments

I think there has been a hint or promise in the air for a while… …but now it is true. COS opened a web store.

That scuba dress to wear with matte tights and my mint green Doc Martens, heavy multicolored pullover, oversized wool-cashmere coat and that ingenious blazer with folded sleeves would pretty much make my winter wardrobe perfect. Well, I could add some of their accessories to that…

Posted on | September 29, 2011 | 2 Comments

// Saara Lepokorpi SS 2012

Posted on | September 27, 2011 | No Comments

Oh wow, I’m totally blown away by the beauty of Saara Lepokorpi spring collection! Lightweight pieces that look deceptively simple when photographed laying on the floor, but can be draped and tied many ways around the body — plus layered with other garments. Cascading leather (?) panel accessories, capable of transforming the outfit completely. And that jacket with detachable panel sleeves, be mine *casts a spell*.

Saara’s crew actually borrowed my mint green DocMartens for the shoot (they did not end up using them, though)… …that alone made me curious. Not sure if I’m proud of this but anything involving mint green does… …and about the former — that’s how small this country is .

Posted on | September 27, 2011 | No Comments

// A suit with a chain

Posted on | September 24, 2011 | No Comments

My time has been consumed by work lately. I do not intent to endorse hectic lifestyle with all work, no play –mentality, but hey, in our own small company I don’t always have a choice. I do feel bad, though, that I have opted out from couple of interesting, fashion related events.

However I treated myself with couple of nice accessories for this autumn… …ah, probably for many autumns to come, these are quite timeless pieces.

The first one is Bliss Lau body chain I’m wearing underneath that excuse of a suit. The piece itself is heavy, braided type chain, gunmetal in color. It consists of two large loops connected with two leather bridges, the other one you can see in the front. Despite of the simple construction — or maybe because of that — the chain can be worn in several ways. There’s at least three ways to wear it as a simple necklace, two ways to wear it symmetrically around body (although the other one is not too comfy with my body type) — and one way to wear it across the body. The best part is that it was a bargain in the lovely The Moon & Mars net boutique. I wanted a small chain, to be sure that the chain won’t go under my bust separating the breasts in the middle — and the size was perfect for this. Now I think I could even wear this over some fitting tops.

However, stylewise I’m slightly hesitant to enter to the territory where this kind of bondage jewelry references. I guess that I will be wearing it a lot like this, just peeking out from neck openings, in ensembles that can not be considered sexy by any means. Partially this is just about my attitude towards clothing myself up — but I also feel that worn in this way there’s some restrained energy I’m always drawn to.

I’m wearing my ancient Filippa-K jacket — to be honest it has seen its best days, but somehow I still like it in this badly worn state. The giant black Weekday t-shirt and extremely carrot shaped, cropped pants by Cheap Monday create an egg-silhouette which is not actually flattering, but I love it still. And then there are my trustworthy DocMartens…

Posted on | September 24, 2011 | No Comments

// I made it

Posted on | September 8, 2011 | 5 Comments

Yeah, I finally made it! Actually knitting this sweater was a snap — but those about five million yarn ends and particularly tedious finishing job with laceweight mohair almost demolished my working ethic.

The giant tube shape, bold stripes and the material are all nods to my first knits in the end of 80’s and beginning of 90’s (mohair, giant, unflattering). That yarn has a touch of luxury, it is baby soft kid-mohair — and a strand of pure silk runs through it, keeping the delicate thing together. It is so lightweight that in spite of that size the sweater can easily be layered under jackets and coats. It is long and can be worn as a dress (I doubt I will do that, though) — but the shape allows it to be gathered to the shoulders — and the hem rises up. The funnel neck is large enough to be worn as a hood. I’ve knit my safe haven for upcoming winter.

THE CURE — Lullaby by Caro69

Posted on | September 8, 2011 | 5 Comments

// KappAhl Designer’s Finest

Posted on | September 6, 2011 | 3 Comments

To be honest from the big Swedes KappAhl has mundane and perhaps a bit dusty image in my mind. I mainly shop there for their well fitting cotton undies.

But in spite of that their special collection is special enough to get my interest. KappAhl did not take the usual route by hiring some well known designer names. Instead they gave their inhouse designers some freedom — and they come up with nice, autumnal capsule wardrobe. Unlike Lindex Affordable Luxury with beautiful designs by Ewa Larsson but mostly inferior materials KappAhl has pushed the quality. The collection comprises mostly of natural materials, with just few man-made fibers and even those are used how they should to be used, giving the garments durability, stretch and other qualities the synthetics do well.

My favorites from the collection were the lightweight, unlined leather jacket — I might end up actually buying it. It utilizes the trick familiar from Rick Owens’ leather jackets: the sleeves are cut with jersey panel, so they can be very close fitting without being too constricting. It looks even better worn open, the shape is just perfect with some structure and relaxed, cascading material in the front. The weight is also perfect, this one can be easily worn as a middle layer later on winter.

The funnel neck vest is half cotton, half wool — and felt gorgeous. The burgundy silk tunic looked fabulous in person, the silk was relatively heavyweight and the cut with deep neck hole, dropped back and gathered voluminous sleeves looked definitely more impressive than in that picture. Unfortunately the color is all wrong for me… Anyway — well done, KappAhl!

***
During the last week I was super busy with several projects and did not have too much time for this blog — but I just noticed that lovely Vimps from Tonnin Stiflat gave me a blog award!

So, here are my answers to the challenge involved:
1| Favorite color
I have hard time with this. I love so many colors! With clothing I end up to black and white often and I do have profound love to them. As a kid I loved green — and certain shades of it still appeal to me: chartreuse, emerald, jade green, seafoam… I love shades of indigo and bright Klein blue, even the aggressive shade of electric blue. Purply magenta is gorgeous. From yellows I love pale lemon shades — and neon hues. Grays never fail me. Tint them with purple and I love them deeply. Cool taupe’s and shades of soft peachy nudes relax me and I find them easy to wear. I love all the metallics…

2| Favorite animal
Hmm, I like animals in general and get along with them well, but cats are my favorites. Horses and dogs share the second place in my heart…

3| Favorite number
WTF?

4| Favorite drink, non-alcohol
Water. Get 2 months back in time and I would have answered coffee…

5| Facebook or Twitter?
Currently I’m in social media resistance mode. I see the value in working purposes, but the pressure for making the most out of it really bugs me. Still I do have some interest to both of these, but it is not personal at all.

6| My passion
I’m quite passionate about many things… …life, love and art to put it all shortly!

7| To give or to get a gift?
Wow, that’s difficult! Both — maybe that’s why I do love Christmas!

8| Favorite day of the week
Saturday

9| Favorite flower
White tulip — and wild roses for their scent!

10| Favorite pattern
Polka dots, Rei Kawakubo way.

Posted on | September 6, 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.