// Saara Lepokorpi SS 2012

Posted on | September 27, 2011 | No Comments

Oh wow, I’m totally blown away by the beauty of Saara Lepokorpi spring collection! Lightweight pieces that look deceptively simple when photographed laying on the floor, but can be draped and tied many ways around the body — plus layered with other garments. Cascading leather (?) panel accessories, capable of transforming the outfit completely. And that jacket with detachable panel sleeves, be mine *casts a spell*.

Saara’s crew actually borrowed my mint green DocMartens for the shoot (they did not end up using them, though)… …that alone made me curious. Not sure if I’m proud of this but anything involving mint green does… …and about the former — that’s how small this country is .

Posted on | September 27, 2011 | No Comments

// Month of Sundays

Posted on | August 9, 2011 | No Comments

Oh, I really appreciate Lookbook designer section — my latest find is lovely Month of Sundays — unfortunately there is not too much information about them in the web page, but lookbook images have such a happy atmosphere. The first collection looks like an assortment of easygoing feminine basics. I especially love that silky looking top with sweetheart neckline — how fresh does that look on a loose shape… …not that typical boob display vessel I’m associating to that cut…

Plus that bag. Lovely, soft, raw-edged, red beauty. Come to mama!

Posted on | August 9, 2011 | No Comments

// 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

// In the plan

Posted on | July 17, 2011 | No Comments

I think I need this Samuji dress for the winter. I would wear it with black cigarette pants or skinny jeans — or with long column skirt. Or with my printed second hand cigarette pants. Or with some leggings I have been neglecting lately.

Wardrobe planning. I think I’m going to start it. And this is in the plan…

Posted on | July 17, 2011 | No Comments

// Macrame bound

Posted on | April 9, 2011 | No Comments

How gorgeous is this Poola Kataryna macrame overdress?

Posted on | April 9, 2011 | No Comments

// Haaksiluoto love

Posted on | April 9, 2011 | No Comments

I think this Haaksiluoto jumpsuit is pretty much perfect. I’m in love! Image via Indiedays Lookbook.

Posted on | April 9, 2011 | No Comments

// Skin proximity zero

Posted on | March 22, 2011 | 1 Comment

What a perfect mix of vintage flavor and sleek contemporary lines. Tyra Therman — where have you been all my life?

Posted on | March 22, 2011 | 1 Comment

// Northern treasures

Posted on | February 26, 2011 | 1 Comment

Well, there has been lots of jewelry browsing lately (the clothes shopping break, perhaps )… …and it has been a long time since I last time introduced any Finnish designers here — so — good thing I got a mail from Chao-Hsien Kuo from Chao and Eero.

Chao started her studies in US and jumped to the unknown just because she got a recommendation of goldsmithing school in Lahti. She did not speak the language; and frankly these –20 C temperatures can be quite unwelcoming — but she enjoyed the school and was able to see to the soul of Finnish people — truly we are friendly and honest people, there is just a coating of grumpiness, bad manners and terrible drinking habits covering and protecting our delicate inners!

The rest is “the usual story” (her own words) — she met Eero Hintsanen, a goldsmith as well — and Chao and Eero is their love child.

I saw their jewelry for the first time couple of years ago in a young designers sales exhibition at Stockmann department store. Finnish designers are known to get inspiration from the nature, in such extent that it can be almost tiresome. But Chao and Eero have a delightful playfulness going on in their nature inspired designs and the urban vibes live parallel or mix to the organic elements, that makes their designs stand out for me.

Pearls… …meh… …except in these Bubbles stacking rings! I love the unusual take on the most conservative of all adornments.

Butterfly series, heavy brushed silver with surprisingly delicate looking, quite minimal detail. The cuff is so beautiful.

The brand was born on Valentine’s day 2005 and “Follow your heart” series celebrates the 6th anniversary. I really like the delicate and traditional shape of heart mixed to the strong, semi-organic, almost futuristic shapes.

“Inbetween rings” are bit of their trademark, you can find one in most of their collections. The sign rings were the first inbetween ring I had ever seen, I remember being quite baffled before I figured out the concept…

I have been bit absent lately, but I just did a small project related to this blog, back to that soon, I guess!

Posted on | February 26, 2011 | 1 Comment

// Washed out again

Posted on | June 7, 2010 | 3 Comments

These Cheap Monday jeans have inspired me a lot this spring. I have built lots and lots of chalky, almost colorless outfits around them for everyday wear. I think that I had jeans with almost exactly similar wash in eighties, maybe that is the reason for my warm feelings towards these.

The top is from Gina Tricot — this is a lovely piece, the cotton is super soft and has a beautiful two color weave, which gives the fabric nice depth up close. I really like the peasant blouse shape at summertime — and it does not feel too romantic with this dove gray color and simple material. The chunky knit organic cotton scarf is from Vietto — another relatively new staple in my wardrobe. You can get these from Vietto Etsy shop or Goodis at Helsinki. Shoes are Sixtyseven heels from last summer. They are very nice to walk, but I have to confess that my accident has left some very persistent fear for wearing heels… …a flash of pain memory still strikes so often that I often have to change to flats before I leave home. Not a huge problem… …my leopard print ponyskin flats look good with these jeans!

FYI — I haven’t been partying hard lately. I got an infection to my right eye — but I’m trying to compensate the lack of eye makeup by giving some extra attention to my hair and adding some color to the lips… …that does not help to the persistent dark circles around my eyes, though!

Posted on | June 7, 2010 | 3 Comments

// Pillow case

Posted on | May 29, 2010 | 3 Comments

I don’t particularly like the culture of being busy all the time and personally I try to schedule my life in a way that I don’t have reason to complain about being too busy to do a thing. In my schedule I definitely need space for spontaneous stuff… …or just for being. But naturally there are times when despite all the efforts things just pile up… …last week it was the work and I just squeezed in couple of shorty-short photo sessions about my work gear, so here’s the second one.

The outfit itself is not particularly flashy — but I do love (almost) every single piece of it. The T-shirt with neat pillowcase shoulders is from Vietto — a great, great piece I got in exchange for my photographs of some neat Vietto jewelry. I was very drawn to certain hand chains of the collection — but because the recent jewelry rejection mode that still seems to have some effect to my daily looks I went for this safe solution. And no regrets, I’m definitely going to wear this organic cotton, artisanal made shirt a lot. I warmly recommend for all Helsinki visitors to drop in the design shop Goodis, where Vietto is sold among other interesting artisanal labels. Actually I was about to make a post about the shop, but forgot my camera home when visiting there — so it will be the next time!

The skirt is the 2or+ linen one seen here before, and this one I love too. It goes all wrinkly during the day, but for me it does not matter, that is the nature of this fabric. I have two old skinny double belts on my waist, both probably from H&M. And the brogues are from Vagabond. They are the weak link — I do love brogues but these lack a character. I bought them in haste about year ago, I really had to have a pair. Now I just wish that I had waited for something bit more special. Like these Irregular Choice ones.

Posted on | May 29, 2010 | 3 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.