// Explanations… …interpretations…

Posted on | April 6, 2011 | 3 Comments

Coming back from a few days holiday trip was not all pleasant (the weather) — but not totally lacking nice surprises. The Indiedays Lookbook –feature picked one of my outfits to their monthly gallery. Thank you so much — now I just need to figure out how to splurge my gift card

The outfit picture stream was a bit on a hold a while ago — actually I was photographing several outfits for Finnish website Ellit — and the article came out during my trip. Writing it made me ponder my choice of language in this blog — the text for it came out with such an ease — on the other hand I like to keep writing in English, I guess that from personal perspective it is more beneficial. Anyhow, there’s a bunch of previously unpublished pictures in the article — and some of my thoughts about clothes, fashion, style and such… …this time in Finnish. (Note, the title is not mine — and the text is bit chopped and edited, but it still is a good intro to my thoughts about style and clothing oneself up…)

Oh, still more media exposure — there was also a short article of me in lovely Finnish Olivia magazine couple of months ago — I just can’t look at the pictures without thinking boob reduction job desperately needed — and I don’t really want to think that… …and that makes me thinking…

…you know the whole thing — or at least a huge thing — in blogging is creating illusions. The favorite illusion I like to create is “normal sized chest” — and I have grown pretty good at it. It is a pretty straightforward combination of my poses and camera positioning, combined to clothes that do not hug my torso too closely and underwear that lets the girls lay low — or squeeze ‘em against my chest. Otherwise I haven’t been too careful, you have seen me without make-up, with ratty hair (uh, that is the almost daily truth of my low maintenance life), with eye infection, in clothes wrinkled during the day…

What I mostly keep out of this blog is my actual life, this is not a lifestyle blog — it’s just about my infatuation to clothes — and I’ve pretty much decided to keep it this way, adding a few tourist-y shots from my travels if I feel like it!

Recently I have paid bit more attention to photographs, I’m using our “bedroom” for photos, it gives bit more interesting lighting options when I shoot against the natural light. Light itself has endlessly prettifying (and also uglifying) capabilities… No way I’m going out for outfit pics — it would be very challenging without photographing partner anyway!

In this picture (with the old photo setup in our living room) I’m wearing a second hand leather skirt (I let the hem down again, it was gathered on sides for a while), Weekday shirt, silk scarf found from my neighborhood department store, Vagabond wedges.

Posted on | April 6, 2011 | 3 Comments

// Spring pattern

Posted on | March 28, 2011 | 5 Comments

While I’m dreaming of Jonathan Saunders sending the whole spring collection to me I’m arranging my old stuff to spring-y combinations, with very few new second hand additions. In this case it might be second hand addiction, this is my THIRD haori jacket. Especially the red woven patterned one has been quite a bit in my regular rotation. Anyhow, this one I got dirt cheap — perhaps because it was dirty. Fortunately the colors in this one did not run when I put it through a small test and I was able to wash it in gentle cycle. Actually kimonos are handsewn and meant to be taken apart before washing — and after the washing sewn together again. To be honest I did not bother and for this one it worked just fine. I adore the pattern and the color on this one!

The suede fringes and haori jackets probably don’t have anything in common, but I think they get along pretty well. A long, almost dresslike Weekday shirt gives bit more leg coverage worn over the modified H&M suede skirt. That Savage Salvage horn necklace and Carin Wester wedges… …yeah, I try to wear something else once and then…

Posted on | March 28, 2011 | 5 Comments

// Dipped & dyed

Posted on | March 13, 2011 | 7 Comments

I should not really do a single hair post — my hair tends to be totally unimpressive. Like a damp (yes I still do excercise 5 to 6 times a week) ponytail or hastily done updo… …I hardly use any hair chemicals because I hate the feeling of them (except some shampoo and light conditioner) — and even my special occassion har tends to be very simple & natural. So consider this an outfit post — which have been scarce these days…

Plus I can’t really say that I’m one of the early adopters doing this, but I just dyed my hair partially… …teal.

Nah, not really! Few weeks ago I decided to dye a set of clip-on extensions. Originally I thought I would like to use them just to get some extra length and body to my now bra strap length, baby fine hair. But they just stood in my dressing table cabinet, waiting to be dyed to my mouse brown color — and the more I thought about the idea, the less I liked it.

Until I got the idea of ombre dyeing them. Originally they were bright, cool blond, with very subtle darker highlights. First I used some regular dark blonde dye for the top part, combing the color downwards vertically, section by section when time passed to get a smooth color slide to the blond color. I washed them and applied the bright turquioise direct color to the ends and tried to fade it upwards with water. It worked pretty well — although I would have liked more pastel colored result, the direct color I used was really intense. But they are pretty useful this way too. I like that they make a dramatic difference to my normal hair — and I don’t feel like a total impostor, trying to play the hair-goddess-of-the-night… …the look is honestly artificial! My lightly layered hair mixes to the extensions pretty well — although dip dyeing their ends blond they would mix even better *thinking*.

Wearing a Monki t-shirt with chiffon hem, Cheap Monday regular black jeans (Weekday & Monki sales really got me after Christmas :S) and my old, trustworthy Rützou booties. With this hair I don’t feel that I need tons of accessories… …if any…

Posted on | March 13, 2011 | 7 Comments

// Cropped it…

Posted on | October 9, 2010 | 7 Comments

Yep, I cropped the darn Acne dress. And cut the neck opening to better shape — actually like the dress lot more now when all the edges are raw. Now it is below the knee length and agreeing so much better with the rest of my wardrobe. I’m layering it with gigantic Weekday shirts (the beige mesh one, and nude square T), leggings (this pair H&M) and my own knits (the gray cape and see-thru mohair one). Comfy! But they predict snow next week… …guess I have to start to cover my legs…

Posted on | October 9, 2010 | 7 Comments

// Autumn silk

Posted on | September 19, 2010 | 2 Comments

I’m piling on some giant t:s and knits, pretending that there is no need for a coat yet. I know that I have to give up soon. But while waiting that happen…

Gray tank AA, yellow one and the giant t from Weekday, DIY cashmere knit thingy, ancient H&M silk skirt, a pair of nameless mohair mix socks and Topshop wedges. I did not catcht the flu.

Posted on | September 19, 2010 | 2 Comments

// Non-colors

Posted on | July 2, 2010 | 8 Comments

If I had to stick just to one style I would probably vaguely vary the Mad Max futuristic-utilitarian-comfortable-dirty-faded-dusty looks for the rest of my life. Probably not because it is my absolutely favorite way to dress up (it is not) — but because it is somehow in harmony with my looks — heavy build, scars, pale wolf eyes, road dust colored hair.

This looks actually quite costume like although the separate pieces are simple enough — I wore it still. A familiar All Saints jersey dress over Weekday mesh tunic, Pedro Garcia sandals (initially I was pulling the Westwood boots on, they would go so well, too) and Topshop wristlets. For some reason I have stored these sandals as special occassion shoes — and have worn them maybe once or twice before. Don’t know why, they are very nice to walk in and blend in to many outfits. The thin straps limits the use a bit — but they can definitely be worn for short visits downtown. I love the contrast between almost unnoticeable straps and chunky sole. Something new in this outfit… …when I saw these weird jersey wristlets in Topshop online boutique I just had to have them. And yes, one might think that I have hurt my wrists — but still they please my eye so very much that I don’t really care. I would like to add some legwear, but it is too warm for that.

Posted on | July 2, 2010 | 8 Comments

// Youth vs. Future

Posted on | May 23, 2010 | 2 Comments

I had a fashion filled Saturday — I started it by visiting in design shop Goodis (back to that later) — walked to Odd Day design market in Diana park — and in the evening to Anna Ruohonen fashion show.

At the design market I finally got myself one Youth vs. Future feather necklace — I might be the last one doing so in the whole Finnish fashion blog scene, haha (BTW, see Sugar-Kane rocking hers and Jenni a black one)! They are selling these online, but I sort of wanted to see them in real life to be able to decide the color. And now I did. The delicate feathers have been toughened against the hardships of life with a coat of acrylic paint and combined to chains with various finishes. My feathers are silver, on oxidized silver chain.

Could not resist to combine the feathers to something heavy… …thus the silver bauble necklace. My wardrobe has been clearly lacking one ridiculously oversized T-shirt, because I’m living in this Weekday one. Skirt is from Topshop and silver leather sandals an old department store find. I have actually been wearing my fringe down quite a lot, but today I wanted it off from my face because I spent several hours outside. That explains also my minimal make up… …some bronzing powder and brow pen. For going to the fashion show I just showered, did my hair, applied a light make-up, changed the shoes and added a sheer tank top under the T for more dressed look. And yes — we are experiencing an unexpected heat wave here… …mmm…

My upper back posture problems are quite visible on the side image… …I think I have to blame my lady lumps. Unfortunately I have experienced only minimal cup size shrinkage with my weight loss, but I’m still hopeful, I think I’m still shrinking. Could also target some training to specific back areas, I guess that the muscles that draw the scapula down and middle could be stronger — that would pull my shoulders back a bit. And some foam bar / tennis ball rolling for the thoracic spine area, perhaps?

Posted on | May 23, 2010 | 2 Comments

// I’ve got straps

Posted on | May 16, 2010 | 3 Comments

Relaxed intergalactic sportswear for casual movie night out. Left my laser gun home, though. I’m wearing applique detail jersey skirt from Topshop, mesh tunic / dress from Weekday, American Apparel lightweight sweatshirt, Bronx sandals, Pilgrim leather strap bracelet and ancient spike bracelet. A bit of tan makes me look so healthy that I can’t believe my eyes, they soon want my picture to the cereal box (not that I consider any cereal healthy… …but well, that’s the image they want to deliver ). Oh, the knee looks still quite battered — no cereal box deal coming up in the very near future…

The film was Ridley Scott on Robin Hood — ah well, the guy can convert even that tale to epic war movie. However I love his taste for cinematography — those cool toned, realistic and not too polished pictures soothed my eye. But Russel Crowe as Robin… …come on!

Best part however was the end credits, the animation going on background was awesome, made me thinking Alexandr Petrov’s amazing work (did not find him from the credits, though, so it was probably not him).

Posted on | May 16, 2010 | 3 Comments

// Quick meshup

Posted on | May 12, 2010 | 8 Comments

The branching H&M emporium is really getting me… …this spring Weekday was full of stuff for me to desire. Their racks were full of oversized T:s in draping viscose and mesh fabrics — and part of them in half price. So I could not hold myself in Stockholm, I snatched this nude mesh tunic and gray viscose T for me although the Helsinki shop is opening next week…

I was not in the mood for anything complicated… …wearing the whole Stockholm catch over Black Milk spartans — which are the best fitting black pair of leggings I’ve ever had and I gladly ditched my loose Gina Tricot ones that have shed their wet look coating partially. I was bit hesitated to pull the shiny PVC panels over my fleshy tighs, but I worried too soon. The spartan cut is quite thigh friendly and the shiny panel gives some welcome sci-fi detail to my simple and lazy leggings & tunics outfits. Rützou wedges and old Pilgrim leather bracelet.

Posted on | May 12, 2010 | 8 Comments

// Good news are bad news

Posted on | January 23, 2010 | 2 Comments

I have kept my promises to not to shop at high street so far. I haven’t even used the excuse of “needing some new basics” to go and dig the hosiery sale remnants a bit. But I know that this spring will be an enormous challenge, it’s no news in Finnish blogosphere that two great Swedish high street store chains open their first shops on Aleksanterinkatu: we will get our first Weekday and Monki here!

I try to actively put thought of that aside, but when my attention slips I just find myself browsing through their sites. How can those T:s be so perfectly cut with just right amount slouchiness? How can there be a neat little detail or twist here and there just to make a basic garment look just a tad more interesting?

All previous images are from Weekday — and I have developed a need for gray sweater with a zipper on back and some slouchy T:s. I could also use oversized shirt as a dress and an overlayer (but for this need I probably turn for second hand).

I really like Monki site, it is one of the least annoying Flash sites around, but unfortunately the downloading option rejected my Mac / Chrome combo. Back to the Monki stuff later, with another browser — and maybe even with my old PC… …but anyway, thanks for both sites for great, large, downloadable images — you really get what this interwebs thing is all about.

BTW I’m getting serious eighties flashbacks from that crincled material on the light gray sweater. I remember that it was so hot stuff… …I even sew a bat wing sweater out of almost similar fabric (ok, the color had slight bluish cast). How hot would that be now .

Posted on | January 23, 2010 | 2 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.