// Not your regular leatherware

Posted on | June 17, 2011 | 5 Comments

All these beautiful leather items are from Etsy seller Karen Kell. The pieces are folk and vintage inspired — but still manage to look fresh. These are not even the only gems I spotted in her extensive Etsy shop. I relly like the link structure she uses in both shoes and bags, combined to the hand tooled leather it somehow brings Rodarte to my mind. Gorgeous work!

Thank you for the hint, Minna!

Posted on | June 17, 2011 | 5 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

// The concept of black shoe

Posted on | March 28, 2011 | No Comments

Once and then (not too often ) I get mail from fashion designers, their PR offices — or friends. My own radar has quite limited range, so I’m most delighted when I find totally new designers this way.

Phong Chi Lai is a shoemaker / designer from Melbourne, Australia. In addition to shoes he makes bags and accessories — jewelry, black leather sleeves… I’m drawn to handcraft and I feel almost physical pain because I can’t examine these shoe designs in person. For me they represent a perfect yin-yang approach to women’s shoe — it’s almost like the gender was insignificant factor to designer. The masculine elements are there, but they are exaggerated and combined to feminine elements so that makes they look all new. They also seem to lean to the past and to the future at the same time. The chunky wedges are tied around the ankle with delicate cords. The ballet flat borrows the cords from the sneakers. The clumpy wedge has absolutely zero prettifying elements. The masculine boots have well thought details that make them stand out from the mass produced ones. The chunky cone heel is combined to equally chunky buckles around the ankle.

It is a difficult task to beat an interesting looking wedge in my books, but I guess that certain unusual pair of brogues just did it. A block heel and the unapologetic cut between black and white leather elevates the classic brogue to new heights, well, quite literally! Nah — in real life I would have truly hard time choosing! Click the images — some of them are just larger, some are delightfully huge!

In the sea of ever-wearable black shoes these definitely look fresh to me — and very much something I would LOVE to wear. Waiting for the international retailers…

Posted on | March 28, 2011 | No Comments

// Soliflower

Posted on | November 22, 2010 | 1 Comment

Oh the beauty of these hand made leather roses! I saw them in Kingdom of Style few days ago — but when Cyn contacted me via email I actually took a decent look into all her creations in ManoBello shop.

I’m very drawn to these solitary roses… …is it my emerging attraction to belts? On the other hand, those soft leathers could probably be easily wrapped to wrist or head, why not around the neck. The interplay and contrasts of motif, muted colors of leather and the material itself really make these special to me.

Posted on | November 22, 2010 | 1 Comment

// I am tempted

Posted on | May 30, 2010 | 2 Comments

I saw Cocorosa wearing these beautiful clogs a while ago… …but maybe because I was slightly scared the sky high heel (rigid, wooden sole and over 10 cm heel… …no thanks) I did not check Su-Shi website. But now I did. In addition to some great shoes they make pretty rad bags. And the prices are not bad. The details and materials look great and the designs are not direct knockoffs (which is actually quite typical in this price group). The satchel shares the lines of Mulberry Alexa — but satchel form is quite generic, Mulberry certainly did not invent it — and the clean lines and distinct hardware give this bag a personal look. It looks like the bag has a suede lining, which is nice…

Posted on | May 30, 2010 | 2 Comments

// Eksoskeletal legs

Posted on | May 13, 2010 | 3 Comments

My heel accident made me look flat shoes from new angle. I had been stalking a pair of high top sandals in Brandos last summer, but they sold out in my size before I got to the actual decision point. Considering these two things and –30% sale coupon to Ellos it did not take too long to actually go for these Bronx ones. For 62€ price tag for a leather sandal I think they are rather difficult to pass.

One detail that slightly bugs me in these is the distribution of those straps on the ankle — but I can live with that. Overall I’m very happy with the design — the strappy texture and the eksoskeletal structure on the front will be a nice addition to many outfits.

I also made a decision that I will never buy heels without trying them on from now on. On heels I need a decent, well balanced shoe and good touch to the ground — which means that there has to be some bend on the sole.

Posted on | May 13, 2010 | 3 Comments

// But threads that are golden
don’t break easily

Posted on | February 3, 2010 | 13 Comments

Ok, I kind of promised to myself to not to do these via-the-mirror-headless photoshoots — but here we go again. I just got so excited from my latest second hand acquisition that I had to take the pics instantly — although I actually did not have time for decent session. So the quick and dirty option…

But I’m wearing a pair of awesome antique gold leather shorts from Kellykitsch. They are even better in person than I had imagined — rather high waisted, soft and beautifully worn leather. Plus the length is just fine for me.

I’m still in rather sober clothing mood so I put them together simply with old sleeveless and buttonless A-lined blouse from H&M — I really like how modern those three pintucks on the hem look as an only detail of this garment, All Saints wrap cardigan, Falke tights and those oh-so-familiar Rützou wedges.

I have to say that I realized just a while ago that those are almost exact copy of Rick Owens’ ankle boots, only the zipper positioning is slightly different and the zipper might be bit chunkier in these. I’ve never paid attention to those Owens boots before, I’ve been so blinded by his other shoe designs.

Not sure what I think about that. The quality of these shoes is excellent and they have a great, super comfortable last… …but still.

Although I’m not too self conscious I have to say that the thigh-discussion in the previous post made me think if a pair of shorts really is a good choice for my build. For a very brief while. If I’m starting that I will soon wear full cover potato sacks — and when have those actually improved anyone’s looks?

Posted on | February 3, 2010 | 13 Comments

// Subtly low cut

Posted on | August 30, 2009 | No Comments

filippak
Filippa-K is one of my trusted brands for basics. Bit pricey, but good quality — and easily avalable here in Helsinki. The brand is very commercial and cautious, but sometimes they manage to smuggle in some genious pieces. This winter collection is perhaps even more mainstream than usual, but again I can find some basics I really like. A subtle pair of harem cut pants would be rad for winter. And grey leather jacket.

Posted on | August 30, 2009 | No Comments

// Just leather strings…

Posted on | August 29, 2009 | 4 Comments

leathernecklace1 leathernecklace2 leathernecklace3 leathernecklace4
This leather string necklace from Mono has serious DIY potential. Extremely simple structure that manages to make a great impact. The length of the neckpiece even gives an interesting possibility to wear the strings around the shoulders. I feel that I’m totally ripping this off one day.

Be sure to check their site, the clothes are interesting!

monoexample

Posted on | August 29, 2009 | 4 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.