// 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

// Pattern thoughts

Posted on | May 1, 2010 | 4 Comments

This spring I have become aware how pattern poor my wardrobe really is. That is not because I don’t like patterns, on the contrary. I love them. I would love to have more elaborate style, mixing together all sorts of patterns: prints, lace, embellishments, woven patterns. I have been thinking why don’t I express fully this side of me in my outfits and came to the following explanation.

Patterns are expensive to make — excluding simple prints. So embroideries, embellishments, woven patterned fabrics and elaborate prints are relatively rare in cheap and middle priced wear that actually form the majority of my wardrobe.

Good print is hard to come by — often the prints look like a sorry excuse to bring together the season colors to one garment. I don’t know how tightly the fabric illustrators work with designers on mass produced clothes, but judging from the results the co-operation could be improved.

So I’m developing here a strategy on adding that pattern to my wardrobe. I like the idea of mixing different kind of patterns, two or even more prints with some embellished details, perhaps toned down a bit with more calm, repetitive woven pattern. I like the idea of combining patterns of different scale to one outfit. I like both restricted palettes with wild patterns — and just wild palettes with wild pattern. A good trick is to mix black and white (or any other two tone) pattern to more elaborate design.

The images are from few of my all time favorite pattern themed shows Dries Van Noten spring 2008 Wunderkind spring 2008 & autumn 2009 (all from Style.com).

So, currently I’m looking for:

1) An embellished or printed full skirt with bright colors (the linked one is fab, but not my colors…)
2) A black and white floral print skirt, preferably with large scale print
3) (Ethnic style) embellished vest, maybe even jacket
4) Sheer and lightweight dresses and blouses with prints, preferably with buttons on front and easy, loose shapes
5) A fitted tapestry coat with fancy floral motifs. I would prefer a white or cream base for the pattern.

I will keep my eyes open in charity shops for these and definitely stalking Yoox sales for some bargain finds. I might pop in to those ethnic bazaar shops when encountering them on my travels (a trip to Stockholm and Warsaw on sight). With the tapestry coat the best option would be sewing it by myself. There is one interior fabric shop in Helsinki that at least used to have an awesome collection of jacquards and brocades.

Oh, and I still don’t have any neat digital prints for my sci-fi moods…

Posted on | May 1, 2010 | 4 Comments

// Brilliant prints

Posted on | September 23, 2009 | No Comments

This is no news by any means but I just found these T-shirts via I See Janemary. The prints are from illustrator Beatrice Boyle. Beautiful! I’ll bet that the large size of the print makes it almost abstract when the T is actually worn.

beatriceboyle

Available online at Browns.

Posted on | September 23, 2009 | No Comments

// Zebra print

Posted on | September 5, 2009 | 6 Comments

zebra2 zebra1 zebra3

I think that Marjo Kuusinen and Piia Keto from Kaksi-Två make some finest leggings in Scandinavia. This pair is luxuriously thick and soft nylon, printed with neat, slightly angularized zebra print in cream and ink blue. The graphic version of loud and bold animal print is surprisingly wearable and easy to combine to different outfits, plus somehow the stripes manage to be quite flattering.

Too bad that their web shop seems to be offline (um, it tells that it’s on summer vacation… …so hopefully they will be back soon). I have seen a small selection of their clothes in Helsinki 10.

In addition to my savanna camouflage I’m wearing Complex Geometries strap top with the strap simply over the shoulder, All Saints cardigan that can also be wrapped around in multitude of ways, old Topshop bag & Vagabond wedges.

Posted on | September 5, 2009 | 6 Comments

// Good hand print

Posted on | September 4, 2009 | 3 Comments

I have to admit that I haven’t been able to find too many interesting printed T-shirts from Etsy. Where are all the talented graphic artists, wanting to earn some extra with their designs?

One of my favorites from the few is James Anthony. They use some interesting vintage imagery on quality American Apparel and Alternative Apparel shirts. You can also pick your shirt style and print for customized style.

jamesanthony3 jamesanthony2 jamesanthony1

I’m not sure how long I can resist the T-shirt with print of William Röntgen’s wife’s hand. Geeky and nice!

Posted on | September 4, 2009 | 3 Comments

// Thrift store awesomeness

Posted on | September 2, 2009 | 3 Comments

I can’t believe my luck right now. I just found this incredible print jacket from local charity shop.

thriftprint

The print is dreamy and the shape of the jacket is quite fine, too, short and lightly shaped with zipper in front. The zipper might need changing and I would prefer the sleeves to be narrower, but I can probably do something for those issues.

Posted on | September 2, 2009 | 3 Comments

// You got me some…

Posted on | August 20, 2009 | 5 Comments

It’s been a busy week wor me, thus the lack of posting lately. But I just wanted to tell you that the horse print arrived — and I’m liking it.
horseprint1 horseprint2
I ordered it in XXL so I got this almost dresslike layering piece by cutting the sleeves and collar off and reshaping the openings lightly. I really dig the print and the subtly tie dyed dark purplish blue fabric. Here with Gina Trickot latex leggings, Vagabond booties, Fendi silk chiffon slip & Vero Moda sequined tank.

Posted on | August 20, 2009 | 5 Comments

// Black and white print

Posted on | August 17, 2009 | No Comments

gemmadegara
For a time I have been keeping my eyes open for black and white t-shirt, with somewhat loose lines and with intricate but interesting print. This Gemma Degara piece illustrates those outlines perfectly. Love the delicate line with strong and unusual imagery.

Posted on | August 17, 2009 | No 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.