// Changeling ride

Posted on | August 1, 2011 | 2 Comments

I actually visited at a showroom back in May to see Dead Birds & Lionheart autumn collection Changeling Ride. Did not want to write about it instantly, though, the autumn just felt so distant… …but I guess now it is about time!

Maria & Anni were there to present the collection by themselves — and they had some interesting stories about how to try to establish a brand in this country… …honestly you need a full time other job to do that — and lots of enthusiasm to make it all happen in your so called free time…

Women of Dead Birds & Lionheart had worked with theme of change in this collection — how I see it there is a strong contrasts between traditional and modern in these pieces — plus the alteration of silhouette with draping, both rigidly sculptural and gently flowing. There is no sign of restriction of body, though, the literal alterations are additional shapes from drapings and some optical illusions from the bold patterns of the season. Their trademark dresses were accompanied with few separates, which was particularly nice touch.

I was also delighted to see the whole summer collection — and few selected pieces from the past seasons.

The colors for autumn were grey, beige and black, injected with some magenta and orange. Fabrics were sumptuous as usual… …unfortunately I did not photograph that awesome zigzag patterned dress, you can see only glimpse of it in the first image of these three. See the whole collection in Lookbook (although I have to say that the photography is not quite at the level of the actual clothes — but better this way than the other…).

The clothes rail was such a textural pleasure that I probably spent (too) many minutes awkwardly just wafting my hand through delightful materials with empty stare in my eyes. Both knit dresses from the summer collection were remarkably beautiful, the white one with cobweb weight knitted lace and the taupe one with a crust of draping ruffles — unfortunately the small manufacturer got to financial difficulties and they got only few pieces of it — what a treasure…

Few of my personal favorites: this awesome jacket from the A/W collection combining some subtle MC notions to fourties detective chic…

A beautiful tail shirt from earlier collections, the sleeves are attached to the back…

And this amazing handpainted jersey maxi dress Maria created for her final collection in Finnish Project Runway (Muodin huipulle).

Posted on | August 1, 2011 | 2 Comments

// My Africa

Posted on | May 21, 2011 | No Comments

Another Dead Birds & Lionheart –related post in a row — but I just got a password to their image gallery — and I think that it is good to know that their SS2011 clothes are now available at Argos Young Designers 2011 retail event at Stockmann.

The collection is mainly about dresses — sculptural and easy-to-wear shapes, gorgeous fabrics. There are slightly abstracted zebra prints in blue and khaki in lightweight silk, white cotton, super lightweight knit cotton lace (the second dress, this was gorgeous in person, I saw it at Argos), bold African mask print in hot terracotta and black and easier to wear beige and white (third dress, available at Argos as well) and some blocked metallics. A completely modern take on tribal themes — and gorgeous little white dresses for summer parties, or even for contemporary bridal looks. I have to say though, that I’m not huge fan of these lookbook images — but I can easily forgive that, the designs itself are awesome — and at least they show the clothes clearly.

EDIT — duh, I just noticed that the whole collection is at Indiedays Lookbook. How didn’t I notice that before?

Posted on | May 21, 2011 | No 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

// Dead Birds & Lionheart

Posted on | August 27, 2009 | No Comments

Dead Birds & Lionheart was previously unknown Finnish brand for me, I ran into it in Sugar Kane’s lovely blog (in Finnish, but see her pictures of a beautiful DB&L dress here) — and wanted instantly to know more. Unfortunately their website is not very up to date, so I wrote an e-mail and asked some fresh pictures. The site is worth visiting, though, especially the SS 08 collection Piscina Mirabilis is breathtakingly beautiful!

And friendly Maria from DB&L sent me some images from summer 09 collection:

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Images by Johanna Viljakainen, make-up Jessica Viitamäki. Don’t use these images without permission from Dead Birds & Lionheart.

The overall feeling is bit romantic, feminine but not overtly sweet, with slight dark twist. Clean lines but usually with some trick in the cut and interesting materials. Definitely something I would like to add to my wardrobe — and this autumn it will be easier. Their designs will be available at Liike (Helsinki) from September! A small selection of their goods can be purchased from www.designshopoutlet.com.

Posted on | August 27, 2009 | No 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 =).

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