// Woven patterns

Posted on | May 20, 2011 | 5 Comments

Fashion Stock Sales 2011 was full stocked this year again — the highlight for me definitely was to get a nice overview of Dead Birds & Lionheart designs. Their studio is at Tampere — and before this event I’ve seen only few pieces from them at Liike. I have to agree with Sugar Kane that Maria Jokela and Anni Niemi definitely belong in the must-follow category of Finnish designers… …and they don’t really do the Scandinavian minimalism thing. What to expect from DB&L — well, exquisite fabrics from handpainted silks to incredible woven patterns, dresses with clever cuts, playful volume, colors…

I just could not pass this awesome cotton dress with delicate woven and frayed pattern — in the sample rack with muchos cheapness happening. Basically it is a shift dress, but the back piece is broken in two — and the ends of it can be tied around the torso. The stiff and heavy tie makes me think of obi belts — no wonder I instantly thought of pairing it with my vintage haori for relaxed garden party look (in Finland it is always a good idea to have something with you to cover your arms). And those clumpy Carin Wester shoes — they go with anything.

I also made an effort to make those through-the-mirror shots slightly more appealing… …maybe I got bit too far, haha!

Posted on | May 20, 2011 | 5 Comments

// Vintage floral

Posted on | April 24, 2011 | 1 Comment

I haven’t been sweeping the charity shops more than usual — good for me — but I have to say that embarrassingly high percentage of my life goes on by by browsing Etsy… Which is sort of good, because sometimes I bump into small treasures like this skirt — and on the other hand there is stuff in my faves for quite many posts to come…

The skirt is hand painted, from seventies and lovely, bouncy silk taffeta. I’m in awe about it’s gorgeousness! It’s in nearly perfect condition with only a small stain in the yoke — I tested water and cleanser to the seam and the colors seem to hold, although it is marked as dry clean only. Silk fabrics can be gently washed — but colors don’t always hold well and silk taffeta is prone to “water stains” — water and sometimes uneven drying leaves marks to it (dyed fabrics though are worse with this than white ones). I might end up hand washing it — and ironing when damp. It would also benefit from adding a zip on the side. It is a pull-on model and although the fit is perfect when the skirt is on the yoke is so small that I can barely pull my hip through it.

Could not resist trying it on with simple white t-shirt (uh, erm, I am affected by some mighty looks of this spring — but I have always liked low key tops with festive / flashy bottoms) — mine is considerably oversized Cheap Monday one. And the Topshop wedges.

Posted on | April 24, 2011 | 1 Comment

// Star-spangled rip-off

Posted on | April 10, 2011 | No Comments

In Finnish blogs there has been some interesting discussion about fakes, copies and rip-offs. I haven’t paid much thought for this issue until recently — I’m not after that certain “Celine” or “Chloé” –look — or whatever is the hottest shit this season so my interest to high street rip-offs is low by nature.

Needless to say I would never buy a pirate copy of any product.

Anyhow… …I bought a pair of Jeffrey Campbell shoes from the winter sales. I knew those JC ways to rip-off a designer look and then produce about million variants of the theme cashing out all fashion inclined with limited budget — but I could not associate anything particular to this model so I went for it. Duh, the shoes are almost 1:1 copy of Stella McCartney wedges — I don’t pay much attention to her accessories because she does not use leather — and I don’t use plastic shoes (unless they happen to be Westwood for Melissa wing wedges — which I still don’t have — and even with these I would love to go for the original leather version if it were available). Hmm. I feel embarrassed. I don’t want to do this ever again.

I have done a lot of high street shopping during my lifetime and I do have respect especially for H&M group, even the main chain has some original design thing going on all the time, not to mention the crown jewels of the group: COS, Weekday and Monki, they sure prove that it is possible to make original and inventive clothing in middle and low price range. I do shop in Zara occasionally — although I’m truly aware of them ripping off the most wearable catwalk looks and practically riding on that. But they do use good materials, cut a nice jacket and I do dig that they don’t advertise at all.

So… …I picked up that super pretty scarf there couple of months ago. I needed a lightweight, neutral colored one. The ultra light wool-rayon mix scarf had a nice hand feel and those little stars really appealed to me.

Fast forward to our Rome trip. I spotted some Faliero Sarti scarves at a window of some boutique and went in to have a decent look. One of them was scattered with little white stars and had a really nice hand feel…

So this Zara scarf is another 1:1 rip-off. What really blows me is that they are copying a high profile, exclusive brand that does not mean a thing to maybe 90% (or more) of the regular high street fashion consumers. How should I interpret this? Maybe they are just too lazy to design anything of their own? Maybe they trust the minor percentage of their customers to recognize the reference and happily go for the cheaper version? (Personally I’m pretty sure that most of those who know that brand can afford an original one…)

Anyway — I got pretty sick… …this is not the kind of entrepreneurship I want to support. I’m not throwing off these lame copies, I’m using them and remembering every time I wear them what I really want to support. Original design, that is. Or a nice, well done interpretation of a classic — some shapes and constructions truly are too general to be owned by anyone…

This is the original Faliero Sarti for comparison…

…the other stuff I’m wearing in the picture: Day Birger & Mikkelsen silk secretary blouse, CK bra, Filippa-K pants, Pura Lopez pumps, vintage heraldic necklace.

Posted on | April 10, 2011 | No Comments

// What are you talking about, HAL?

Posted on | September 4, 2010 | 3 Comments

Ah, I just got my own little piece of spacewear… …not quite Balenciaga — but a rather fetching vintage jacket. Soft, pink leather strips are meticulously sewn on top of skin colored mesh. The plastic zipper felt just a bit off at first — but now when I have fitted this little gem on few times I see how it fits to the picture. Minna spotted this little gem from Kanuuna — and said that it looks so much like me that she handed it directly to me. Damn she was right!

Practically Kanuuna is a flea market — but permanent selling areas of at least two established vintage boutiques really make it worth visiting.

My self maintenance level has dropped to unmeasurable with this new, physically active lifestyle… …I’m walking around with damp hair twisted to a knot, with minimal makeup — thus these are not decent outfit pictures. I have also neglected my normal blog routine so much… …yes, I’m reading all the stuff I have used to — but my commenting activity certainly has ceased and I’m not scouring for news with the vigor I used to. But I don’t want to complain, actually I feel really good: the autumn flu has not caught me, I sleep better than I have in long time… …bad news is that my calendar screwed up at least one of my fashion show events and I missed it…

Posted on | September 4, 2010 | 3 Comments

// Vintage capes & ponchos

Posted on | August 28, 2010 | No Comments

Wool: Pomegranate Seed, knit: Vignette Vintage
plaid: YeYe, faux: MakeDoo
suede: NiftyGypsyVintage, velvet: Topsy Design

Posted on | August 28, 2010 | No Comments

// Beachy peach

Posted on | July 9, 2010 | 3 Comments

Uh, my self-discipline is about zero — of course I dropped in to Zara sales last week — and naturally could not leave from there without buying something. But considering the current weather (blazingly hot, we are going to break the temperature records next week for sure) this something could not be much better.

100% silk piano shawl dress feels like I had nothing on — but is completely presentable on the summer streets, a perfect combination of cover and free movement of fabric. On daytime I prefer minimal accessories: old Pilgrim sunnies, old Ash perspex (!) prism flats (forgot that I indeed have something perspex), fabric bag, neon coral nail polish. Sorry about the hair, my dorky expression and lack of make up… …I’m pretty much making myself up with sunglasses these days. For evening I can add some layered jewels, the brass net necklace and pendant are from Pilgrim, one with somewhat heraldic motif is vintage.

I’m pretty sure that this dress will be great paired with jeans when the temperatures drop. The whole idea of the it is so simple that I’m beating myself not inventing it by myself. I probably will keep my eyes open for nice patterned silks for another DIY one… …the fringe is just simple net crochet with tassels attached.

I do like summer — like the sun, the heat, everything. But I doubt that I would have this blog if the weather would constantly be like this. Dressing up for dog days is not particularly interesting.

Posted on | July 9, 2010 | 3 Comments

// Perfectly worn in

Posted on | June 24, 2010 | No Comments

Poets blouse from UnderCapricorn.

Tan leather clutch from PansysPlace.

Frye mules from Early Mornings.

Posted on | June 24, 2010 | No Comments

// Nineties cover-up-op

Posted on | June 16, 2010 | 2 Comments

I’m not turning this blog to outfit posts only. It’s just that I haven’t been surfing too much lately, haven’t got any fascinating e-mails from interesting indie designers *hint, hint* — and I just can’t get myself excited about fall fashion when the summer is just hesitantly beginning here far north…

Anyway, there has been a long period in my life when dressing to vintage nightgown belted as a dress combined to probably the most unfashionable vintage pair of sunglasses was totally out of question. But apparently that is not the case anymore. I layered this lovely pale peach silk vintage gown over a canary yellow vintage slip, threw a H&M cardigan over it — I love this one, especially after I changed the ugly plastic buttons to dyed mother of pearl ones — what a shame that there is no sight of them in these pics, haha! (Side note: I’m not always worrying about minor details, but ugly buttons are certainly an issue for me.) And then let the white Converse and couple of leather cuffs cut down the sweetness.

The sunglasses are my very first high profile brand pair from nineties (Emporio Armani) and they have started to look fresh to my eye just recently. I especially like how they combine metal and plastic to distantly antiqued look. Truth to be told they are actually my cover up plan for non-existing make up.

Posted on | June 16, 2010 | 2 Comments

// Just can’t get the grip of it

Posted on | June 8, 2010 | 8 Comments

I feel slight regrets of buying this dress from Berlin last autumn. I sort of like it, but it does not agree well with my wardrobe. I also thought that it is all too stripy to become really popular… …duh, was I wrong! I have seen it around a lot — which should not be a problem for high street advocate like me — but this piece is so recognizable…

On everyday use I think that it looks best on it’s own, paired just with casual flats and slouchy bag — but my body is not ideal for that. All additional layers strip off the effectiveness of this dress — except when they are theatrical enough.

I just toyed around with that dimension, wearing a vintage haori over the dress, adorned with my DIY body chain worn as giant lariat — I even attached couple of pendants to the ends. The other thing around my neck is an old glass beaded scarf, which actually falls closer to the jewelry category than scarves.

On the latter two pics: Vero Moda cascade knit and Design House Stockholm scarf create a weird court dress feeling.

But I’m probably not theatrical enough for these…

Posted on | June 8, 2010 | 8 Comments

// Flat shoe solutions

Posted on | May 10, 2010 | 6 Comments

The leg feels much better but I’m still taking it carefully, so my flats are in heavy rotation. Actually the weather is miserably cold — and today I seriously considered wearing the winter jacket when going out. And the bare ankles… …well, let’s just say that there are not too many people in addition to yours truly sporting them in this weather.

The haori jacket has been an enormous hit in my wardrobe. I love to wear it with regular denim outfits, over tunics, T:s, tanks and light layers — it definitely makes things bit more interesting. This time I have my old Lee jeans (the ones that saved my skin when I fell), amazing cotton guipure lace T I snatched from Gina Tricot (amazing being from GT, haha!) over a random tank and printed ponyskin flats from Pretty Ballerinas. Actually ballerinas are a staple on my wardrobe, I have another pair from PB in antique silver — and very low cut taupe pair from French Sole. My beloved black Repetto’s I walked to shreds last summer.

And I have an actual haircut with slanted fringe and some layers… …bit windswept but the cut still makes a difference.

Posted on | May 10, 2010 | 6 Comments

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.