// Even more Jolier

Posted on | December 19, 2009 | 15 Comments

I think that my relationship to Jolier One will be long and strong one. Here I’m wearing it as a part of menswear inspired ensemble. The pants are the All Saints ones seen here before, shoes are those familiar Rützou wedges (I wish that I could wear these pants with brogues but they are just a tiny bit too long for that — and I like the extra lenght with heels so I have no plans on shortening them). The shirt is really ancient and from Sisley. Gosh, today when I visit Sisley or Benetton I find hardly anything interesting. I’m not sure but I have this vague memory that when I roll back for say 12 years those both brands were actually rather interesting. This shirt has a classic cut with slightly extended cuff slits on the sleeves, and the neck opening extends just under bustline. And there is not a single button in it. So the structure nods a little bit to decostructionism without being too flashy to wear on everyday basis. I love it and aim to keep it for the rest of my life. That’s an achievement, shirts are not my favorite garments.

My first plan was to construct a vest out of Jolier, but the deep neck opening of the shirt changed the plans. I kind of like the stronger feminine accent of it worn in this way, as part of the “suit” — and the hooks and loops look particularly fetching on the front and upper edge. The really old Filippa-K coat fits to the big picture. Bag hanging on the chair is Sonia Rykiel Domino.

Posted on | December 19, 2009 | 15 Comments

// Gathered with hooks and loops

Posted on | December 17, 2009 | 16 Comments

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The truth is that I don’t have much style. My wardrobe is a haphazard collection of stuff I happen to love and that’s it. There is no great thought behind, no consistency, very few if any awesome “it” items — on the other hand I have very little restrictions except my tendency to avoid anything too revealing. I have some habits, though, like quirkifying outfits somehow, layering, repeating same detail or item several times, picking a focal point and piling stuff there, costumeish elements or arrangements, childish background stories for outfits… but actually I’m pretty consistent only with my hair. It has been for years now from medium length to long, and almost always gathered up somehow. I just wish that it would be remotely parisian chic in a nonchalant, not-too-done way… …but I’m afraid that usually it resembles more a birds nest; or is just plain boring.

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With relaxed face me and my sister look like… …some angry bitches. That’s a family treat, but fortunately does not tell much how we actually are. No wonder I try often to balance with some cuteness in my outfits, even when wearing full black.

Today it’s my eBayed Docs, H&M tights (I’m in awe with these), my Christmas pressie for myself: Jolier One as a pant (looks like skirt, tho’), DIY silk chiffon skirt/dress, AA long sleeved T and Comme des Garçons for H&M wool jacket. No jewelry, but my nails are silvered!

And my new EOS 500d with remote kicks ass! I’m slowly getting a grip of it. These self portraits will probably never be particularly breathtaking, but at least you are able to see the details of the outfits.

Posted on | December 17, 2009 | 16 Comments

// Jolier x-mas for me!

Posted on | November 10, 2009 | 5 Comments

I met young attractive and talented Finnish designer Sveta Planman briefly in Lumi Accessories Halloween party — oh, did I mention that she is very nice person, too! If you like classic feminine style you will find her Jolier collections definitely worth checking out — but Sveta is probably best known for her genious multiuse garment, Jolier One. That one has been on my to-purchase-some-day list for a while.

Practically we are speaking here a simple rectangular piece of cloth, with hook and loop tape attached to edges and supplied with a pair of suspenders. What, does not sound exiting?

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Well, Jolier one is actually a wrap on a crack, that piece can be worn well over 50 different ways, these images from Jolier site illustrating just few possibilities. It does the job of a top, skirt, tunic or dress, apron, bag… …some of the ways are of course just slight variations on a theme (a dress with or without suspenders) but anyhow the possibilities of this garment make my imagination to run wild. You can get Jolier One in multitude of fabrics and there are seasonal additions to the selection, too. Seccoshop has even versions made of recycled materials — I recommend visiting on site if you happen to be in Helsinki. I really like this kind of design that extends over traditional fashion seasons — and breaks the conventional garment centered thinking.

I can imagine appreciating the multitude of possibilities of this piece a lot, especially when traveling — and for that reason I am about to make an exception from my usual fabric snobbery. The black heavy polyester jersey version is perfect for traveling, it does not wrinkle, does not gather dust, is machine washable, goes with everything and the stretch makes the different drapings behave. I really love how the hooks and loops add some lingerie-esque detail to simple, architectonic draped shapes. So yes, I have decided what I’m going to buy myself as a Christmas pressie (yes I always get one for myself, satisfaction guaranteed).

Id you have doubts how this piece works in so called real life, see Maria’s beautiful pictures of Jolier One in action.

Posted on | November 10, 2009 | 5 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 =).

More about me and this blog.