// Autumn sorted out

Posted on | July 15, 2010 | 2 Comments

I think that I’m less inspired by the autumn fashion than usual. The fashion press is sort of exited about the retro vibes and wearable classics, but in a sense of inspiration they don’t do much for me. Celine was practically the same as summer collection with just a bit heavier materials, Marc Jacobs was — dare I say — boring, Prada managed to look somewhat fresh in spite of the heavy retro feel (but still — dare I say — uninspiring), and all that camel color in numerous shows really made me yawn. And I’m not particularly delighted about the black-red combination resurrected in many collections. Of course there were some highlights — Alexander McQueen last collection is breathtaking (but so inaccessible that I’m not sure if it inspires me) — maybe a bit more accessible use of feathers in many collections, remembering instantly Demeulemeester and even Marni, chalk stained “tough geek” collection of A.F. Vandevorst, accessible looking “preppy grunge” collection of Rag & Bone with some nice layering inspiration, Rick Owens was rather impressive, the return of velvet and shearling in many collections, some collections with neat ethnic vibes… …yes, there is more, but I’m still not too inspired. I know that this is totally unnecessary whining from a person with zero fashion credibility…

…an that makes me think that maybe it is just the summery weather we are experiencing here. Or I need the autumn Collections edition from Elle to propel my enthusiasm. Second thought — those two might mix pretty well!

Still — I have sorted out what I would like to have for next autumn/winter — and that is not much.

Some shearling — preferably a luxurious aviator jacket from Acne — but I’ll bet that I have to settle to some vintage. Or maybe I could rework my mom’s old shearling coat.

Or this lovely hat from Gudrun og Gudrun. Would be immensely practical in Finnish weather. Actually everything shearling would.

A cape/poncho. Preferably with ethnic look. I surely don’t want to be one of those wearing the Chloe cape copy now available (or at least for the autumn season, check H&M) from every self respecting high street chain. I’m thinking some South American feel with not too ornate decorations, maybe something simple, rugged and handmade like this poncho from Ecuadorian Hands. Would look great over my regular jeans and boots — could even blow the dust off from my old brown Mulberry Phoebe bag.

Something velvet. For some reason I have been eyeing bags a lot, this Kyoko Wanai for Fairy Woodland piece from Yoox sale is pretty awesome — totally unnecessary, but so pretty, striking directly to my dark romantic nerve.

But maybe I’ll check Carin Wester and Dagmar for some plush wear. Sorry, I broke my nerve when trying to find some decent sized images — but there is some wearable velvet action happening within both of these collections.

An perhaps some feathers. There are lots of them in ASOS sale. DIY would also be a good option.

I definitely will bump to numerous desirable items when the season actually starts — but these I could probably justify… …sort of…

And no — these don’t match. But they would complement my current belongings in delightful ways…

Posted on | July 15, 2010 | 2 Comments

// Just can’t get the grip of it

Posted on | June 8, 2010 | 8 Comments

I feel slight regrets of buying this dress from Berlin last autumn. I sort of like it, but it does not agree well with my wardrobe. I also thought that it is all too stripy to become really popular… …duh, was I wrong! I have seen it around a lot — which should not be a problem for high street advocate like me — but this piece is so recognizable…

On everyday use I think that it looks best on it’s own, paired just with casual flats and slouchy bag — but my body is not ideal for that. All additional layers strip off the effectiveness of this dress — except when they are theatrical enough.

I just toyed around with that dimension, wearing a vintage haori over the dress, adorned with my DIY body chain worn as giant lariat — I even attached couple of pendants to the ends. The other thing around my neck is an old glass beaded scarf, which actually falls closer to the jewelry category than scarves.

On the latter two pics: Vero Moda cascade knit and Design House Stockholm scarf create a weird court dress feeling.

But I’m probably not theatrical enough for these…

Posted on | June 8, 2010 | 8 Comments

// Oldest & newest

Posted on | May 8, 2010 | 1 Comment

Stellagee had an interesting challenge in her blog a while ago… …she encouraged us bloggers to dig out the oldest wearable piece from the wardrobe. And by oldest she does not mean the actual age of the garment, but the one that has been longest in possession.

For me the task was not too easy (too many clothes, perhaps???) — and the results were not maybe too interesting, but somehow revealing anyway. When I browsed through my garments I came in to conclusion that my oldest garment — or actually garments are two Benetton polyester slip dresses, in black and dove grey. I can’t really recall the actual year of purchase, but it is certainly before I moved from my original hometown in 1992. I actually remember well buying these… …my best friend had a summer job in accounting office in Raahe and I went there to see her — naturally we did some shopping, too. My hometown was not exactly a teenage fashion paradise. Too bad I have sold the beutiful leather and cord belt I bought at the same time… …it would have been perfect this summer.

Why have these garments lasted time — well, this country has been absolutely impossible place for finding such a mundane garment as slip in the past. The options available were targeted to population 60 years and older. Things have changed a bit just in past years and of course the online options are there these days, too. But I haven’t discarded these — the simple cut is perfect for my body shape, the pale gray is not the most common but very useful shade in underwear and because of their opaqueness they work perfectly as a part of layered outfit, partially visible if I wish. The few years I was too big to fit into them I did not bother getting rid of them either, they don’t take that much room in my wardrobe.

Funny thing is that my newest garment is — if not family — at least a sibling to those. Because of my injured leg fitting shoes was out of question on my Stockholm trip ( I would have loved to try on the Acne nail heels with pom-pom adornments *sigh*). So I turned to dresses (more wallet friendly option, too) and my pick was this absolutely lovely Acne cotton & silk dress. Long live to it, too!

What is your oldest garment — and why?

PS. Added the wedge pictures to the previous post, they are still on sale (although I feel certain indecisiviness towards this issue )

Posted on | May 8, 2010 | 1 Comment

// A variation of a theme

Posted on | May 1, 2010 | No Comments

Haha, this is going to be boring! I promise that the next post will not be about these old jeans…

Acne jeans with old Topshop wooden wedges & random socks (which I ruched before going out), Zara horse print tank under H&M cotton lace biker I bought on winter but haven’t still used too much (blaming the weather — not complaining, though).

Lace biker… …they are doing it all there just to get me…

Posted on | May 1, 2010 | No Comments

// Soft shades

Posted on | April 30, 2010 | 4 Comments

I think I’m going to spend this whole spring in soft shades. The husband jeans will be my everyday basics and I will emphasize my newly found waist with fitted, waistlength jackets (still quite far from waist belts, though). Powder, marshmallow, cream, ivory, dove… …with denim, leather and preferably oxidised metals. Nothing fancy. Flowing, lightweight, easygoing, basic… …bit like my current life situation, which feels so very welcome after heavy autumn and long dark and very wintery winter.

So I’m wearing old Acne jeans, Ash wedges with some socks I found from my wardrobe, couple of sheer H&M tanks and new H&M jacket. This is awesome piece, the cut is great for my body type and I love the details. And it is not made in China…

Posted on | April 30, 2010 | 4 Comments

// Wearing the haori

Posted on | April 9, 2010 | 4 Comments

I have photographed just one actual outfit this week (bit busy week at work plus it has been so cloudy and dark) … but in addition to that I had to experiment a bit how I’m planning to implant the kimono stuff to my actual outfits. I really sought out another haori, a simple men’s style and in color that is totally lacking in my wardrobe: maroon. The maroon / ivory weave of this silk looks so exquisite, I really love it. I think I need third — a long one — made from softly draping silk, to be worn when lounging at home and maybe also as a dress…

I’m wearing the husband jeans ™ (old Acnes), Castañer wedges and an old Filippa-K vest with understated transparency detail, AA tube bra underneath. I also plan to layer the haoris with my old FCUK dark jean jacket, but I need to wash it once or twice to be sure that the color won’t bleed.

And I thought that it would be just fair to photograph the ratty Topshop bag — I have been carrying it with me almost every day for several years now and it has served so well. Truth is that I love it but our relationship kind of reminds me of an old marriage… …which is not necessarily a bad thing after all.

The red little monster peeking under the jacket is the tying cord, actually…

Posted on | April 9, 2010 | 4 Comments

// Fringes, please

Posted on | April 3, 2010 | 4 Comments

I went for a short shopping round with my husband today… …actually the other shop we were planning to visit was closed, but the always lovely Helsinki 10 was fortunately open.

This Acne jacket was quite impressive in real life — buttery soft suede with a perfect dusty mauve shade. Because I’m not able to use 1800 € for leather jacket right now (haha), I just opted for a DIY project that involved both fringes and soft suede. Back to that later!

Posted on | April 3, 2010 | 4 Comments

// Denim à la Alber

Posted on | March 17, 2010 | 3 Comments

I’m liking this second round of Acne — Lanvin collaboration quite a lot… …any of those garments presented above would be warmly welcome to my wardrobe, especially that gorgeous top. There is that effortless and very chic draping so quintessential to Elbaz — and it’s working well with lightweight denim — plus those beautiful embellishments combined to simple, casual shapes. Unfortunately the prices are unreachable for me. Oh well. (< learning the vocabulary…)

Posted on | March 17, 2010 | 3 Comments

// The scrunchie strikes back

Posted on | February 23, 2010 | 6 Comments

To be honest I’ve never ditched all my scrunchies from back then… …a velvet one is such a gentle way to keep a long hair up in the nighttime. Ahum, practically this is my night look for hair — I hate to wake up with hair in my mouth. I was just thinking if I could incorporate it to day looks.

I am aware that I have awfully large forehead — but it has been like this from my teenage years. On the other hand I really like the severity of no loose hair around the face, all other facial features of mine except that hairline are softly feminine, and I like this contrast.

Otherwise I’m wearing everyday winter stuff. The dotted scarf I picked up from local charity shop and it is a decent substitute for the Comme des Garcons for H&M one — which I did not buy when it was time. The material of this one is not as beautiful, but I like the combination of beige and black, plus the ample amount of fabric. My cashmere-silk sweater is from Zara, jeans are my husbands old Acnes, shirt is thrifted, mohair mix socks from who knows where, ebayed Martens. I’m getting sick on winter clothing…

Posted on | February 23, 2010 | 6 Comments

// Wedges for summer

Posted on | February 20, 2010 | 4 Comments

Sam Edelman from Nordstrom.

Ash from Shopbop.

Jeffrey Campbell from Solestruck.

Diane von Furstenberg from Net-a-Porter.

Acne.

Carin Wester (via Kristin L. Dahl).

Posted on | February 20, 2010 | 4 Comments

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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.