// My boutique in the Boutiques

Posted on | November 21, 2010 | 2 Comments

I’m always eager to try new websites and services — and I have to say that Google Boutiques will probably serve a purpose for me. I have always felt that Polyvore is bit “static” for my taste and I don’t really enjoy making the collages, Looklet is a fun toy to play occasionally… …but with Boutiques I can keep a living, ever changing “wish list” that reflects my style in real time. I really like the insight it reveals when the collection starts to accumulate. And it renders the wish list posts quite obsolete. The browsing options still don’t work perfectly (the site is beta), but the whole search based approach is very practical. Some items seem to mystically disappear from “favorites” although they still are marked when I search them — or I just don’t understand how to browse the whole favorites collection. It looks to me that the paging over my favorites does not page my favorites, but the automatic recommendations for my style, which is bit of a bummer. Not sure about the “recommendations” and their overall usefulness… …but we’ll see how they improve when my collection grows.

Feel free to follow my boutique — and don’t forget to start your own! Maybe we should tell Santa as well!

Posted on | November 21, 2010 | 2 Comments

// Far fetched

Posted on | September 30, 2010 | 3 Comments

I do appreciate comfort in clothing… …so no wonder I’m always looking for labels doing interesting things with jersey. Well, the Internet makes this planet really small — and lately I have been browsing a lot of two Philippinian lookbooks. Paradigm Shift is a new endeavor of style bloggers Karl Leuterio and Mike Magallanes — the beautifully cut shirts shine in their first, compact collection. I think I need the black and white one…

The other one is Proudrace. Actually Rik and Pat sent me an email about their winter collection. The relatively basic cuts are enlivened with sheer panels and subtle proportion plays. Somehow even the reds look very wearable to me — and I guess that I have about zero red clothes in my wardrobe… What both of these labels share (in addition to some Scandinavian love) is delightfully androgynous aesthetic, with utilitarian and soft futuristic feel rather than “gender play” often associated to androgynous styles. Images via Paper-Doll.

Posted on | September 30, 2010 | 3 Comments

// 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

// Still no see thru…

Posted on | July 5, 2010 | 1 Comment

I’ve been lusting after Whyred and Alexander Wang lucite heels — but right now I feel that they are relatively easily forgotten. Thanks to Susie. She recently introduced these beautiful, clean lined acrylic Otto jewelry and Helen Furber’s amazing BA work — alas, no news in this blog. And to be honest I don’t have much to add — except that these both designers really hit my nerve of aesthetics. I also feel that those lightweight but mighty in size handmade acrylic jewelry would be exactly what the doctor prescribed to my current jewelry rejection syndrome.

I also have to chime Susie in this — sustainable fashion feels often a pass to sell some sloppy design. But Helen’s work is nothing but brilliant — and I absolutely respect the fact that the sustainability concept runs through the whole manufacturing process — and the shoe can be easily disassembled and the pieces recycled.

The question is — who would like to recycle those beauties? I would treasure them for my lifetime and testament them with strict advise how to keep them for generations to come.

Posted on | July 5, 2010 | 1 Comment

// Have I seen it all?

Posted on | July 1, 2010 | 5 Comments

No! However thoroughly explored the strappy shoe territory might be these days, there always will be designs pushing it just a bit further.

I love the haphazard organization of beautiful leather straps on these Michael Kors shoes. Shame that Style.com doesn’t provide a side view of these…

Posted on | July 1, 2010 | 5 Comments

// As fast as you can

Posted on | June 28, 2010 | 3 Comments

I’m considering another break from high street shopping… …but boy they are making it difficult. Mark Fast pieces for Topshop are too body conscious for me to use as is — but wouldn’t they be awesome for layering? Images via Dazed Digital.

Posted on | June 28, 2010 | 3 Comments

// Fashionclash by Dusturbance

Posted on | June 18, 2010 | 3 Comments

One of the definite blogging highlights for me this spring has been the opportunity to follow dusturbance Fashionclash project behind the scenes. I call it blogging highlight because without this blog I probably had never known the fabulous women from dusturbance nor got this opportunity — but so far you readers have been excluded.

I’m definitely not a fashion critic and aim not to be one. On the fashion publishing side I keep things in this blog 100% self indulgent and I publish whatever I want, the emphasis being in indie fashion and affordable brands. With dusturbance there are so many things I respect — and I would definitely have posted even without the background connection.

Anyway — I have been seeing the metamorphosis of simple, beautiful fabrics to these awesome, hand painted ones. The Hitchcockian birds took over the gently flowing silks and sturdier fabrics for bustiers and jackets. The ropes and tapes took sculptural forms without loosing their utilitarian appeal. There were basic pieces, easily recognizable as bustiers or dresses — but then there were attachments, to be zipped and snapped to basic pieces, transforming them beyond the original function. Some of you might remember the idea from Queen Michelle’s dusturbance dress.

The women in dusturbance were not 100% pleased the presentation of the Fashioncash show — and I respected the request to not post instantly after it. And the short wait was worth it — they continued to a collaboration project with new Toni & Guy brand Art Director. This collaboration produced image material which gives you a much better idea about the designs — the hair needs to be photographed from several angles — and thus you can see and appreciate the dusturbance 360 degree take on design. The back view without attention just does not exist in dusturbance world.

Catwalk images by Peter Stigter, Art Director hair and fashion show pictures by Tristan Melano.

Posted on | June 18, 2010 | 3 Comments

// Pattern smoothie

Posted on | May 18, 2010 | 2 Comments

I don’t post editorial images often, but my mouth was literally left open when I saw gorgeous Alek Wek in The Financial Times‘ monthly luxury magazine, How To Spend It pattern and texture rich editorial, found via Fashion Gone Rogue this morning, see rest of the images here. I love Alek — and the styling here is impeccable, of course executed with upscale garments I can’t never afford, from Lanvin to Givenchy. But I’m loving to seeing them like this. Definitely fueling my pattern cravings.

Speaking of that, Steff kindly reminded me about one awesome printed garment I actually have — Attila Design Sybil dress. Now it is about the right time to dig it out from the wardrobe.

Posted on | May 18, 2010 | 2 Comments

// My heart bleeds

Posted on | May 11, 2010 | No Comments

Somehow my actual dressing and the things I desire are out of sync… …I’m lusting after black and white, relatively wintery stuff but on the other hand I am sliding to the summery print and color mood. Maybe it is this awful drawback in weather turning my thoughts to sci-fi scenes, urban nomads, Blade Runner meets Mad Max themes… …nah, I’m quite shattered style personality anyway…

This Sandra Backlund vest is completely out of my range, but I can’t help myself. I love it deeply. I don’t have too many structured pieces in my wardrobe. But this vest… …it could be there…

From Reborn.

Posted on | May 11, 2010 | No Comments

// I see my future

Posted on | May 9, 2010 | 1 Comment

This is what I want to wear next winter when my black / gray mood strikes again. Asher Levine menswear F/W 2010 via Garbage Dress.

Posted on | May 9, 2010 | 1 Comment

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.