// Space odyssey 2011

Posted on | August 21, 2011 | 3 Comments

Last week I bumped into a thing that a flight attendant from Space Odyssey 2001 could wear on her free time. I’ve said that I’m not too into obvious retro styles, but somehow I can make an exception with stiff, clean lined and retrofuturistic sixties dresses like this. Especially when they fit rather well. Especially when the material happens to be texturally pleasing cotton / nylon brocade with very soft, cotton’y hand feel. Especially when the color is delightful pale lime yellow — a color considered difficult for Scandinavian complexion in general — but happens to work with my mousy hair, blue eyes and easily tanning skin.

Excuse me for leaving this short — I’m off to painting my nails matte black for some nice contrast…

Posted on | August 21, 2011 | 3 Comments

// We are almost there

Posted on | May 24, 2011 | 2 Comments

Isn’t this a weird thing to do, for a grown up woman? Pulling out some random clothes from the closet, snapping some pictures and pretending that there is something to write about… …oh well, here we go again…

I can’t say anything else about this outfit except that I’m extremely happy that we happened to have a very sunny and summery day today. I was totally fine with this sheer Monki dress layered underneath my DIY maxi sweater — oh there is a nude slip guarding my modesty in case you wonder. And I added Zana Bayne necklace harness in between the layers — it goes so well with the palette and gives a nice textural contrast to super soft and flowy layers. Is this kind of girlification of leather accessories even allowed?

I’m definitely a summer girl…

Posted on | May 24, 2011 | 2 Comments

// Woven patterns

Posted on | May 20, 2011 | 5 Comments

Fashion Stock Sales 2011 was full stocked this year again — the highlight for me definitely was to get a nice overview of Dead Birds & Lionheart designs. Their studio is at Tampere — and before this event I’ve seen only few pieces from them at Liike. I have to agree with Sugar Kane that Maria Jokela and Anni Niemi definitely belong in the must-follow category of Finnish designers… …and they don’t really do the Scandinavian minimalism thing. What to expect from DB&L — well, exquisite fabrics from handpainted silks to incredible woven patterns, dresses with clever cuts, playful volume, colors…

I just could not pass this awesome cotton dress with delicate woven and frayed pattern — in the sample rack with muchos cheapness happening. Basically it is a shift dress, but the back piece is broken in two — and the ends of it can be tied around the torso. The stiff and heavy tie makes me think of obi belts — no wonder I instantly thought of pairing it with my vintage haori for relaxed garden party look (in Finland it is always a good idea to have something with you to cover your arms). And those clumpy Carin Wester shoes — they go with anything.

I also made an effort to make those through-the-mirror shots slightly more appealing… …maybe I got bit too far, haha!

Posted on | May 20, 2011 | 5 Comments

// Demure lengths

Posted on | May 17, 2011 | No Comments

A nude pleaty thing found it’s way to my wardrobe. I cut the lining out — I’m rather wearing it with separate slip or half slip (you can sort of see it in the pictures) when the top layers don’t provide the coverage I’m comfortable with. Nothing too ballerina-esque with this for my body type, here I’m wearing it with Weekday shirt, H&M shrunken cardigan and Carin Wester clumpy shoes. The skirt is from Lindex — and I was there just to pick a few pair of undies…

I’m kind of loving this demure length, it is so easy to wear and it agrees nicely with my proportions.

Posted on | May 17, 2011 | No Comments

// Zana did it

Posted on | April 16, 2011 | 5 Comments

Although my shopping ban has been for new clothes, not for accessories I haven’t been buying many of those either this year. However I was pretty sure that I will order something from Zana Bayne as soon as she got her own webstore open — and I did.

Harnesses… …well, I’m probably as edgy as the lamest sister in all girls books, but I think that Zana’s accessories can actually be interwoven to many kind of styles. I like how the spring look book was styled with sharp, structured items. Personally I have been using this lightweight harness necklace to spice up my regular t:s and jeans outfits — preferably underneath a jacket. It also works really well over oversized tops and dresses, giving a softly shapely silhouette. And with crisp white shirt — as seen in the look book.

Here I’m wearing it with my regular muted down non-colors, old Asos sequin jacket is kind of ratty, but I sort of like it just because of that. The T is ancient J.Lindeberg one (do they still make women’s clothes?), it has slightly too large neck opening but great fit — and the shabby look of it with the visible black thread on the seams just goes better with age. Cheap Monday skinnies and Carin Wester wedges. I love these shoes. Oh how I wish that her equally beautiful black wedges were as comfy to wear as these…

Posted on | April 16, 2011 | 5 Comments

// Old lady dress

Posted on | April 13, 2011 | 5 Comments

One second hand piece I have wanted to find for ages is a nice “old lady dress” — a dress with demure length, buttons on front, modest little collar, lightly fitted, with sleeves. The problem with these is that often they are made of nasty fabrics — smelly nylon, very itchy polyester… However yesterday I went to my neighborhood Fida and my eyes instantly fixed to the mint green-black pattern I saw on the dresses rack. The closer inspection revealed it to be a perfect old lady dress, beautifully homemade by very skilled seamstress — and in addition to all that it looked like totally unworn. The fabric has very silky feel on it and beautiful weave, it must be either high quality polyester — or silk. I have to make a burn test. Either way it is a great find for 8 euros!

Obviously repeating patterns like this are not my absolute favorite, but somehow this particular one actually works, it has a surprisingly contemporary feel. The dress was meant to fit more closely, it actually has a zipper on side but goes over my head easily without opening it — still the fit is great with a belt, the shoulder line matches perfectly to mine. I prefer a heavy leather belt with this to cut the home dress feel, neon socks from We Love Colors and my beloved Carin Wester wedges update it nicely as well. Again… …I’m not after any obvious vintage look.

Posted on | April 13, 2011 | 5 Comments

// All things shiny…

Posted on | March 30, 2011 | 2 Comments

I found this little mesh shirt with most awesome assortment of blush and pale gold sequins from local charity shop for couple of euros.

Sometimes my brain just does not wrap around the possible reasons why anyone would like to part some of the items I find as second hand. But on the other hand — I’m glad they do.

And… …I was really about to do something exciting with this but end up just wearing it with ancient Acne husband jeans and Carin Wester wedges… …just to record that amazing amount of girly bling…

Posted on | March 30, 2011 | 2 Comments

// Spring pattern

Posted on | March 28, 2011 | 5 Comments

While I’m dreaming of Jonathan Saunders sending the whole spring collection to me I’m arranging my old stuff to spring-y combinations, with very few new second hand additions. In this case it might be second hand addiction, this is my THIRD haori jacket. Especially the red woven patterned one has been quite a bit in my regular rotation. Anyhow, this one I got dirt cheap — perhaps because it was dirty. Fortunately the colors in this one did not run when I put it through a small test and I was able to wash it in gentle cycle. Actually kimonos are handsewn and meant to be taken apart before washing — and after the washing sewn together again. To be honest I did not bother and for this one it worked just fine. I adore the pattern and the color on this one!

The suede fringes and haori jackets probably don’t have anything in common, but I think they get along pretty well. A long, almost dresslike Weekday shirt gives bit more leg coverage worn over the modified H&M suede skirt. That Savage Salvage horn necklace and Carin Wester wedges… …yeah, I try to wear something else once and then…

Posted on | March 28, 2011 | 5 Comments

// Draped by the dress

Posted on | March 24, 2011 | 1 Comment

The quiet, rough edged beauty of this Acne dress really speaks to me. I forgive the use of polyester here, the material has really nice hand feel, the light wrinkle handling makes it very lively looking and it does not crease easily. Not much effort here in styling it, but it kind of speaks for itself…

I’m wearing it here simply with Carin Wester wedges, DIY agate necklace layered with absolutely perfect long horn necklace from Savage Salvage. The wedges were my best sales purchase after Christmas. They are super comfortable and go pretty much with everything — cutting the sweet edge of pretty outfits at the same time.

Posted on | March 24, 2011 | 1 Comment

// Autumn sorted out

Posted on | July 15, 2010 | 6 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 | 6 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.

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