// Black basics — and then some

Posted on | October 6, 2011 | 1 Comment

I would probably have ordered something from COS netstore already — if there weren’t a strange shortage in selection. I need a simple black dress that extends easily from daywear to evening. No jersey. No man made fibers.

I would prefer one with sleeves — but when I browsed through Swedish Stylein autumn collection I could not but just think if a hood could somehow compensate the demand of sleeves. Hmmm. Okay, they do have a nice option with sleeves as well, but there is something very special in that loose draped shape in lightweight silk georgette — with hood. With that sleeved one (available in black) — well, it’s nice and exactly what I thought — but nothing special.

The brand is still quite unknown to me, I stalked a pair of their black and white silk pants last summer, but end up the Topshop ones I found from sale. For my delight they seem to use nice materials, lots of silk and beautifully draping jerseys. The shapes are easy, the color palette gentle — a piece or two from this selection could be part of almost any wardrobe… …and they do have decent netstore!

The accessories collection had that little gem as well — a leather scarf. I guess that in their lookbook they had used it also on the waist, like a peplum, a belt worn over it. This would be a nice DIY idea as well, perfect way to reuse an old and ugly leather jacket in soft and relatively lightweight material.

Posted on | October 6, 2011 | 1 Comment

// 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

// The simplest of sundresses

Posted on | July 12, 2011 | 2 Comments

This ages old Filippa K dress has saved so many dog days — despite and because of the material. It is polyester jersey, practically wrinkle proof so I can throw it to any bag and take it out from there without any visible damage. The a-lined shape is such that I truly feel ventilated — nevermind this one being a close sibling to those black garbage bags — material-wise… Two invisible life-savers underneath: American Apparel ruched cotton jersey top (um, have I said “comfy” yet?) and very decent, almost short-like granny pants by Sonia Rykiel for H&M — the latter is necessary because of the almost opaque nature of the dress… Even with these little flaws this dress never fails to make me feel dressed up — even when the temperatures fight against all attempts to truly dress up.

The simple shape guides me to simple accessories, my old silver flip-flops, Weekday cuff. Naturally I have to break the pattern a bit… …the hand-tooled leather bag is one of my many steals from Etsy vintage department…

Posted on | July 12, 2011 | 2 Comments

// Sweet Gestuz

Posted on | May 23, 2011 | No Comments

One Scandinavian (Danish to be exact) brand that has slowly risen to my awareness is Gestuz. I was on a verge on purchasing a beautiful bird print silk jumpsuit from ASOS outlet during the Miu Miu swallow print craze (but did not) and I actually have one simple but gorgeous quality suede jacket from them - I had actually forgotten it’s existence… …I have to thank my wardrobe clearance for couple of very special finds from my actual belongings… *cough*

For some reason this is the first time I actually visit Gestuz website — and I’m amazed! They use great materials — silk, beautifully draping jersey — they cut a mean jacket — and do little wonders with leather. The ASOS selection gives a bit one-sided view on their prints, but I think that they do pretty well on this area, too. The price range is on the upper end of high street pricing — but it looks like the quality is right on spot as well.

The collections they have online are full of very, very useful looking clothes — and not just those beloved basics, but genuinely interesting looking pieces that I could see myself treasuring years to come. Maybe they have bit of that allsainty “tough chick” thing going on occasionally — and it can feel bit pretentious even in this more subtle scale — but I can forgive that easily, there’s so much great stuff there to covet!

Oh that slouchy jacket calls my name! I also love the slightly dirty looking almost floral print on the lovely maxi dress (below), the cutout leather dress with striped construction, the stippled looking pattern in slouchy silks, textured brown leather in short skirts and shorts, beautiful draped basics… All images from spring and high summer 2011 collections.

Posted on | May 23, 2011 | No 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

// High slit

Posted on | April 19, 2011 | No Comments

Oh — what a gorgeous dress from Babooshka Boutique!

Posted on | April 19, 2011 | No 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

// Two things

Posted on | August 25, 2010 | 1 Comment

Two things I would like to add my autumn wardrobe. Geronimo cashmere scarf from Acne for hiding from the bad weather. Rodebjer floral dress for aggressive granny looks.

Posted on | August 25, 2010 | 1 Comment

// Pirates, ahoy

Posted on | June 30, 2010 | 9 Comments

I wanted to reward myself for my exercise project with something that I have wanted for a long time, something I believe I do use a lot and something I don’t consider completely outrageously out of my price range. So now I’m a happy owner of classic slouchy shaft Vivienne Westwood pirate boots in suede. The taupe color goes well with my wardrobe and I love the lightweight construction, these can be well incorporated to summer outfits as well.

The weather is very warm and summery, so the dressing is simple. I’m wearing an old Diesel sundress covered up with H&M cardigan — this piece has been probably my best high street purchase from this spring. The slouchy cut is excellent and I love the lively material. One of my Pilgrim pendants is hiding underneath the dress.

So… …this was the last month for my start for more physically active life — and although this month either was perfect from the exercise perspective (traveling and now the flu) I think I have actually changed something in my habits because I’m actually missing regular exercise when I’m not doing it. On this period I did not focus on weight loss, but I got down 4 – 5 kg and it certainly has not been my muscle mass.

Naturally this was not the end of the project. My summer holiday starts tomorrow and when I get well I’m planning to have a physical activity filled semester. And I could really focus on weight loss for a while. I’m still quite chubby.

Posted on | June 30, 2010 | 9 Comments

// Soon wearing vintage…

Posted on | May 12, 2010 | No Comments

Yesterday I found this pretty amazing silk dress from Fida Hämeentie. I fell for the delicious fabric covered buttons and whimsical butterfly print. There were couple of stains on it, but a gentle wash dissolved them almost entirely and I got it ironed back to shape. It has been locally made, the tag says Malli-Eeva — Model Eva — I would love to know the stories behind these vanished local “brands”. The hem is hand sewn with blind stitch and the overall work quality is very good in this — not to mention that silk has not been too common in this country, so I suspect that Malli-Eeva has been some sort of smallish seamstress boutique…

It looks like we are getting a sunny day for today, great!

Posted on | May 12, 2010 | No Comments

keep looking »

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.